Xiamen Things to Do

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Huli Shan..Alright, I thought it corny but I thought, why not. This is a pretty cool place. They have supposedly the largest foundry canon in the world, and a pretty amazing rock museum..if your're into looking at strange rocks of all descriptions. Although plenty of people here, you can still loose yourself for a quiet moment in the many nooks and crannies.

Entry: 20 RMB

ALSO..

For a bit of fun, behind the canon on the upside of the bunker, there is a "shooting gallery" where budding Horatios can have a go at shooting passing ships with a 20ft canon and tennis balls..see if you can better my 4 out of 7... (it cost 28 RMB)

This is a popular tour destination especially for overseas Chinese visitors. This famous university was built from funds from poor Fujianese who went to seek their fortune abroad and those who turned from rags to riches, sent money back to help build this university.

It is located about 17 km from Xiamen downtown and by the sea. So the surrounding scenery is pleasant for a photo or two.

Opening time: 8:30am to 4:50pm. It was closed when we got there and already quite dark.

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There is a regular ferry service from Xiamen downtown to the opposite island of Gulangyu.

The island was where foreign Western traders were limited and hence the European architecture. The island is now a pedestrian only island with no cars. You can walk all around the island, there are seafood restaurants, shops selling sea products and pearls.

There is a small beach and you can see the smaller islands of Taiwan in the horizon - a big deal for the Mainland Chinese who until recently could not visit Taiwan.

The ferry runs until midnight and it is quite nice if you come back at night.

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Gulangyu Island is located just southwest of Xiamen City. Visitors can reach it by steamship from Xiamen City in about 5 minutes. Gulangyu Island is renowned for its delicate natural beauty, its ancient relics, and its varied architecture. The island is on China's list of National Scenic Spots and also ranks at the top of the list of the ten most-scenic areas in Fujian Province.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the island was called 'Yuanshazhou Island'. It got its present name from the huge reef surrounding it. When the tide comes in, the waves pound the reef and it sounds like the beating of a drum. The island came to be named 'Gulang'. Gu in Chinese means 'drum', and Lang, 'waves'.

During the later Ming Dynasty, the troops of national hero Zheng Chenggong were stationed here. After the Opium War in 1842, 13 countries including Great Britain, France and Japan established consulates, churches, and hospitals, turning the island into a common concession. In 1942, Japan occupied the island until the end of the War of Resistance against Japan.

Gulangyu Island has about 20,000 permanent residents, all of whom enjoy a comfortable, relaxing life. Only electric-powered vehicles are permitted on the island, so the environment is free from the noise and pollution of combustion engines. Breathing the clean air, appreciating the ever-present green trees and lovely flowers, anyone here can feel like they are in heaven. With classical and romantic European-style architecture, the island truly deserves to be called the'Architecture Museum'. It is also known as the 'Cradle of Musicians' and 'Island of Music' because of its reputation for music appreciation.

The Island Ring Road, which circles the island, allows you to fully enjoy all the sights of this small, charming island.

Among the many scenic spots on the island, the most attractive are Sunlight Rock and the Shuzhuang Garden.

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Take a 70 RMB 35 minutes taxi out of the island of xiamen heading inland, you will find this gigantic hot spring resort called the sun/moon valley or riyuegu hot spring resort. This is a five star (a real non-Chinese five star) hotel resort that features this ‘over thirty’ different herbal flavored outdoor hot springs theme park. The décor and set up of the facilities reminds me of the burke Williams spa in southern California, not tacky at all as what you might find in a ‘high-end’ Chinese run hotel where style and décor just don’t match properly. This place had it right. Low key and luxurious. The staff was super friendly. We checked into the resort, changed into robes and swimwear provided by the resort, was guided into this gigantic theme park steaming with hot spring pools. Pools featured flavors ranging from aloe vera to rose petal to green tea. All pools were tastefully secluded from each other allowing for private enjoyment. Food was excellent. There are at least two formal restaurants serving high end southern Chinese food or hot pot. Or in the hot spring area there is an open eatery serving delicious Taiwanese food and snack.. We started at 5PM and soaked for three hours, exploring the park finding a beautiful pool equipped with water polo facilities. An archery range, a sand/beach volley ball court (which we vigorously used for a good 30 minutes) and two canopied area used for massage and spa services. Green tea and cool water are provided by spa staff to those who need to replenish their fluid. The massage is performed with you lying on top of a giant stone slab that is heated by hot spring water underneath. It was a fantastic experience! There is also a large children area. All in all this is paradise found in china. Usage of their hot springs costs 100 RMB for the entire day…hehe we stayed until 1AM and no one wanted to leave. One night in their five start room with free breakfast and unlimited in room hot spring and outdoor hot spring is around 500 RMB!!!! Amazing!

A huge granite statue pays tribute to Zheng Chenggong, Xiamen's favourite historical figure. Described as both a pirate and a hero, he waged war on the Qing Dynasty and drove the Dutch from Taiwan in 1662.

An area just east of the city with evergreen mountain views and the city's 10.3 square kilometer Botanical Gardens, a bonsai garden with a prize 300-year old Chinese elm, and displays of Chinese native flowers.

A thousand-year-old Tang Dynasty temple five kilometers from downtown Xiamen, this major monastery is packed with Buddhist statuary. Great Mercy Hall is open to the public, as is the temple's well-known vegetarian restaurant.