Strolling the city of stones

The history of human beings began with the stone. It is again the stone that enables you to feel the brilliance of the ancient culture of Quanzhou, where stone houses and fishponds are scattered here and there.

Stone City of Chongwu

Located on the Chongwu Island 24 kilometers southeast of Hui'an County of Quanzhou, the ancient city of Chongwu is quite literally a world of granite. It is the only well preserved stone city in China. From any tower on the city walls, one can see the gray town and its stone houses. All the walls, even those encircling the wells, were made of granite. Most of the roofs, though, are covered with red tiles, which give the place a touch of gaiety.

Chongwu is also a world of far-reaching sea vistas, golden sand glittering in the sun, and fishermen riding upon the waves. Another attraction is the unusual attire of the local Hui'an women, who still cover their heads with scarves as well as bamboo hats, but leave their navels exposed by wearing short twill tops. Long hair, perfume, and high-heeled shoes are seldom seen here.

Luoyang Bridge

Also called the Wan'an Bridge, the Luoyang Bridge was built between 1053 and 1059, across the Luoyang River about 10 kilometers to the northeast of Quanzhou. It is the earliest existing giant stone bridge at a Chinese seaport, and was used to transport goods that arrived in Quanzhou via the Maritime Silk Road.

Originally, the bridge was 1,200 meters long and 5 meters wide with 46 piers, 500 balustrade posts, 28 carved lions, 7 stone kiosks, and 5 stone pagodas. On both sides of the bridge there are delicately carved stone lions and warrior guards. This bridge is well known in the history of bridge engineering for its special techniques used to reduce erosion from tidal and river flows and to strengthen the piers.

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