Ancient Nanyin Music Echoes in Quanzhou’s Temple Art

Look up inside Quanzhou’s 1,300-year-old Kaiyuan Temple, and you’ll find more than just beams holding up the roof. Ethereal carvings of ‘Miaoyin birds’—celestial beings from Buddhist lore—grace the wooden frames, each clutching traditional Nanyin instruments like the pipa (lute) and erxian (two-stringed fiddle). These intricate figures aren’t just architectural marvels; they’re a symphony frozen in time .

Nanyin, one of China’s oldest musical traditions, is literally woven into the temple’s DNA. The carvings reflect how music and spirituality intertwined in ancient Fujian culture, blending structural genius with storytelling. Today, this UNESCO-recognized art form still resonates globally, connecting history buffs and music lovers alike through its haunting melodies.

Psst, travelers: Add Quanzhou to your bucket list. Where else can you stare at a roof and hear centuries of music in your head?

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Ancient charm of Nanyin music echoes through beams

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