Wudian Market - Cultural Heritage and Architecture of Quanzhou

Wudian Market, with a millennia-old cultural history, is the cradle of Jinjiang City and a showcase [...]

Wudian Market, with a millennia-old cultural history, is the cradle of Jinjiang City and a showcase of the distinctive red brick architecture of Southern Fujian, spanning the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods. Historically, it has produced 11 top scholars, including Zhuang Jichang, who was a fellow top scholar with Yuan Chonghuan during the Wanli era. The descendants of the King of Min, who have long resided in Quanzhou, have seen their top scholars, such as Wang Zeng, achieve the remarkable feat of winning the top three exams (the preliminary, provincial, and palace exams). Moreover, over 1400 Jinshi (advanced scholars) have emerged from this region, making Wudian Market an outstanding representative of the cultural history, arts, architecture, and customs of Southern Fujian.
As a treasure in the art of Southern Fujian, puppetry has been an indispensable part of the folk culture in Quanzhou and the entire Southern Fujian region for thousands of years. With its unique skills and splendid performances, it has become a popular form of opera art enjoyed by both the general public and the literati.

Nestled among modern high-rise buildings, the traditional cultural district of Wudian Market stands in stark contrast to urban civilization, like an old man who has weathered the vicissitudes of time but remains vibrant, witnessing the changes of history. Walking through Wudian Street, treading on ancient stone paths, and basking in the sunlight, one can traverse alleys and feel the wind, touching bricks and stones weathered by time, savoring cotton candy, and holding childhood treats, as if returning to a carefree childhood.

Each building here has its own story, narrating the unique architecture of Southern Fujian. The various structures within the district, from the grand Lu Sili Art Museum and Su Xianzhong Art Museum to the fusion of Chinese and Western styles in the foreign-style buildings, the Southern Fujian特色的 ‘Gong Dian Qi’ red brick architecture, and the contemporary artistic freshness of Wu Da Men, all reflect a seamless integration of literature and art.

This architectural inclusiveness makes Wudian Market more diverse, attracting more and more visitors.

Open all year round, 24/7. Official phone numbers: 0595-88911999, 18105959997.