Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island, located to the southwest of the city proper, is only about a five-minute journey by local ferry. The island has long had the name of 'above-the-sea garden' because of its variety of pretty flowers, the best of which can be viewed in the Shuzhuang Garden. The highest point on the island, the Sunlight Rockaffordable China tours, is also the symbol of Xiamen city. Just as the saying 'one who has not visited the Great Wall is not a true hero', those who have not visited the Sunlight Rock cannot claim to have truly seen Xiamen.

Possibly due to the beautiful scenery here, people living on the island have a strong liking for music, boasting the highest piano ownership rates in China. Gulangyu Island is by far the best sight of this beautiful town, with its variety of colonial buildings, pleasant winding streets and musical locals. It is the best place to be located for those visiting this part of Fujian, although it is sometimes hard to find a room, especially for those on a budget. Very few of the sights here are spoiled, and there are so many charming features, from the profusion of ancient trees, all labeled, to the variety of seafood restaurants, most containing at least a few hideous monsters from the deep.

Shuzhuang Garden

On the southern shore of Gulangyu Island is the Shuzhuang Garden Educational tours in China (Shuzhuang huayuan), named after its original owner and built around 1900. The creators of this pretty garden attempted to create an environment that integrates the Gulangyu Island feel into its design: The Chinese will say that the garden is in the sea and the sea is in the garden. The overall impression here is pleasant. The pavilions, bridges and towers do not contrast against the natural sea views and profusion of trees.

The Shuzhuang can be a great way to while away the day on this pretty and picturesque isle. The garden is full of many species of flowers, a botanist's delight, and there is also a clean, yellow sand beach that is a good way to brave the Chinese waters, although it can get a little full. Sipping a cup of tea in the garden's tea house or relaxing with a sea view under the shade of a Gulangyu tree is vacation bliss.

Oversea Chinese Museum

About 2 km south of Zhongshan Rd, the Overseas Chinese Museum China Photo Tour (Huaqiao bowuguan) is an interesting way to spend an afternoon. The museum is dedicated to the many Fujianese and others from the southeast China region who have emigrated to various parts of the globe. The people of this part of China are well known for their nomadic tendencies. Even today, with the regional rapid economic improvements, many are still looking to get out and see the world. Today, over 2.5 million overseas Chinese, in no less than 50 countries, claim to have Fujian ancestry.

Founded by the wealthy industrialist Tan Kah-kee in 1959, the collection in the museum now contains pieces donated or invested in by many of these overseas Chinese, all putting money back into their roots. The museum is divided into six sections from relics of old China to photographic and pictorial evidence of Huaqiao (overseas Chinese) exploration. The ground floor's three halls contain paintings, photos and documentation of the Fujianese life abroad, an interesting way for foreigners to see the other side of the coin. The pottery and bronzes here are of particular interest, some of the pieces dating back as far as the Shang dynasty (1600-1100 BC).

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