Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In those days; Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport; but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368); Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports; hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.

Due to its reputation; Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city; Zayton; the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo; Quanzhou (called Zayton; T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride K鰇鯿hin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.