Xiamen is a picturesque coastal city in
southeast China, earning itself the nickname 'Pearl on the East China
Sea'. The mild temperature, together with the convenient
transportation, makes it a magnet for tourists inside and outside
China.
There are a great variety of sights and
sounds to witness in Xiamen, and this makes it probably the most
exciting of the towns and cities in the whole of Fujian. The greatness
of the city is that there are things to see wherever you turn, from
the unusually tidy streets to the profusion of architectural styles
and 'small harbour town' feel that the place exudes. The mainland and
its neighbour, Gulangyu
Island, are packed full of these places and should have something
to suit most tastes.
The mainland is perhaps not as exciting
as its sea encircled neighbour, but it does make a good go of it. In
Wanshiyan, you may be struck by the beauty of the Tiger
Stream Rock and the White
Deer Cave. If you are fascinated by Buddhism, Nanputuo
Temple is definitely a place not to miss, for it is arguably one
of the most important temples around this region, both in terms of its
grandiose architectural style and its large collection of Buddhist
volumes. The Hulishan
Canon Platform and the Overseas
Chinese Museum are the eye-witnesses of the past of Xiamen and its
people. Beyond this, a walk of the streets or a visit to the Xiamen
University, near to the Nanputuo Temple, are nice way to prolong your
stay. The best district to stay and wander on the mainland would have
to be the waterfront area, at the western end of Zhongshan Rd.
This is also the best place to be situated hotel wise.
Gulangyu
Island, the most beautiful island near Xiamen, has won great
renown for its Sunlight
Rock and Shuzhuang
Garden. It is a great place to explore and, since it has an area
of only two square kilometers, is easy to get around. For those less
mobile types, although there are no taxis or buses on the island, a
squadron of golf carts zip about, ferrying you to wherever you wish to
go.
