Imagine stepping through the doors of Rouyuan Station in Fuzhou 🏯, built in 1472 as the official Ming Dynasty gateway on the Chinese mainland for envoys, students and merchants from the Ryukyu Kingdom. For over 500 years, this was their first home in China, a place to rest and prepare before heading north to Beijing to pay tribute to the emperor.
The station’s name reflects the imperial ideal of "treating those from afar with grace" 🎋. Envoys arriving by sea would stay here, share stories, learn about Chinese culture, and set sail again with new ideas and connections.
Fast forward to 2025: Rouyuan Station is now a museum and a protected cultural heritage site 🏛️. Its ancient walls hold centuries of maritime history and symbolise the vibrant exchange between China and the Ryukyu Kingdom. Whether you’re a history buff, a culture explorer, or just curious, a visit here is like time-travelling on the waves of the past 🌊.
Reference(s):
Rouyuan Station in Fuzhou: A historic witness to China–Ryukyu ties
cgtn.com
