I. Born of the Sea: The Historical Origins of Xunpu Village
Xunpu Village, located along the eastern coast of Quanzhou in Fujian Province, has long been shaped by the sea. Its name is commonly understood as a combination of “xún” (蟳, a type of crab) and “pǔ” (埔, sandbank or tidal flat), reflecting the area’s early ecology—mudflats rich in crabs and sustained by tidal flows. The name itself is a direct linguistic record of a maritime environment and a fishing-based way of life.
Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Quanzhou was one of the world’s most important ports. The History of the Song Dynasty · Gazetteer of Geography records that “ships from across the seas converged, and foreign goods gathered here.” Xunpu lay within the inner bay of Quanzhou Harbor and functioned as a grassroots node of the Maritime Silk Road. From the Song to the Yuan period, merchants from Arabia, Persia, and Southeast Asia frequently passed through, traded, settled, and intermarried, gradually shaping Xunpu into a coastal community marked by cultural hybridity.
II. Walls of Oyster Shells: A Distinctive Architectural Tradition
One of Xunpu’s most recognizable features is its traditional dwellings, commonly known as oyster-shell houses. Local residents used materials readily available from the sea, embedding oyster shells into walls with lime and sand. This technique proved highly practical: resistant to moisture, salt corrosion, and strong coastal winds, while also regulating indoor temperature.
Local records from the Qing dynasty note that “coastal dwellings built with oyster shells are cool in summer and warm in winter.” These houses were not the result of aesthetic experimentation, but of environmental adaptation—a form of vernacular wisdom that reflects the Minnan tradition of living in harmony with local conditions.
III. The Flower Headdress: History Worn on the Body
If oyster-shell houses represent history frozen in place, the flower headdress (Zanhua Wei) worn by Xunpu women embodies living tradition. Fresh flowers, silk blooms, and hair ornaments are layered into elaborate arrangements around the bun, creating a look that is both vibrant and striking. This custom is far more than decorative; its origins are widely linked to maritime beliefs, foreign cultural influences, and the social roles of women during the Song and Yuan dynasties.
The Book of Fujian (Min Shu) records that “women of Quanzhou favor ornate adornment and regard flowers as auspicious.” The flower headdress was especially prominent during weddings, festivals, and ritual occasions, functioning as a system of symbols that conveyed age, status, and context. It remains a rare example of a folk tradition that has survived as a living practice rather than a museum artifact.
IV. From Local Custom to National Phenomenon: Why Did Xunpu Suddenly Go Viral?
Xunpu Village’s recent surge in popularity is not accidental, but the result of several converging factors:
- Highly Distinct Visual Identity
The flower headdress and oyster-shell houses are visually striking and instantly recognizable, making them particularly well-suited to short-video and social media platforms.
- Resonance with Contemporary Cultural Narratives
Growing interest in intangible cultural heritage, women’s subjectivity, and traditional aesthetics has created fertile ground for the rediscovery and reinterpretation of the flower headdress. - The Spillover Effect of Quanzhou’s Cultural Revival
Following Quanzhou’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the theme “Emporium of the World in Song–Yuan China,” the city’s cultural visibility has risen sharply. Xunpu, as a representative folk community, naturally entered the spotlight. - The Amplifying Power of Cultural Tourism and Social Media
Travel photography, Hanfu culture, and the broader “China-chic” (Guochao) movement align seamlessly with Xunpu’s imagery, transforming it from a lived-in village into a highly shareable cultural scene.
V. After the Spotlight: Where Is Xunpu Headed?
It is worth emphasizing that Xunpu’s value should not be reduced to being merely “photogenic.” A sustainable future depends on several key principles:
- Community-led protection of traditions, avoiding excessive performance and commercialization
- Measured renewal of architecture and living spaces, rather than wholesale theme-park-style development
- Positioning Xunpu within the broader context of Maritime Silk Road civilization and Minnan culture
As the sociologist Fei Xiaotong once observed, “Cultural self-awareness means that people living within a culture have a clear understanding of it.” Xunpu’s sudden popularity is both an opportunity and a test—one that will determine whether its heritage can remain alive, rather than merely visible.
