Jubao Street

Jubao Street

A prosperous street of commerce between Quanzhou and overseas traders during the Song and Yuan dynasties

The area became known as "Jubao Street" (Treasure Gathering Street) because merchants and precious goods gathered here in great numbers, turning the district into a thriving trading hub. Located in the southern part of Quanzhou’s old city, it sits close to the Tianhou Palace, the ruins of Deji Gate, and the former residence of Li Zhi. Encircled by the ancient moat, the 400-meter-long street is lined with phoenix trees and features strong southern characteristics as well as exotic-style ancient buildings and churches. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, the port of Quanzhou (known as Luzhou or Zaiton) flourished in foreign trade and transportation, attracting merchants from various countries and regions who gathered on Jubao Street to trade a wide range of goods with the Chinese, including gold, silver, jewelry, silk fabrics, spices, medicinal herbs, tea, and porcelain. This street became not only a hub where international merchants met to trade, but also housed key commercial establishments such as customs checkpoints, tax offices, postal agencies, pawnshops, and banks, establishing Quanzhou’s old city as an internationally vibrant metropolis described as “ten nations in one marketplace” and the “largest eastern port.” The area around Jubao Street is rich in cultural relics and historic sites. The remaining vestiges offer a glimpse into the past glory of Jubao Street and serve as a testament to the golden age of Quanzhou’s foreign trade and transportation history.