Xiamen (厦门市)
The city of Xiamen (厦门市) is in the south of the Fujian province. It used to be known as Amoy. It has numerous winding streets and several interesting, busy markets.
Places of interest
- The Arcade buildings (骑楼) along Lujiang Avenue are the symbol of Xiamen's traditional culture. The buildings were constructed in the beginning of the 20th century.
- The Hulishan Fortress (胡里山炮台) is a concrete defensive outpost in the south of Xiamen. It is across the water from the Kinmen Islands, just south of Xiamen University. Originally, the fortress had 2 large cannons, of which only one remains.
- The Chengyi Discovery Center (诚毅科探中心) is divided into 7 different exhibition areas, each of which focuses on a different theme, such as aerospace, navigation, natural disasters, dream seeking, space exploration and information communication. There is also an aeronautical laboratory and a navigation laboratory.
- The Buddhist Nanputuo Temple was built during the Tang dynasty and is regarded a national treasure in China.
- Xiamen Horticulture Expo Garden (园林博览苑) is located in Xinglin Bay in the Jimei district of Xiamen. The park consists of 9 islands that have gardens in different styles. The islands cover some 10km² in total. It serves as a venue for horticultural exhibitions.
- The fishing village of Aotou (澳头村) is located in Xindian town in the Xiang'an district. It is opposite the islands of Kinmen and Xiamen.
- The Kulangsu Historic International Settlement is a mixture of different architectural and cultural styles, as a result of international exchanges.
- Shapowei (沙坡尾) features docks and low houses in downtown Xiamen. The neighborhood is home to many shops and restaurants.
- Zengcuoan (曾厝垵) used to be a fishing village, but with the growth of Xiamen, it has now been incorporated into the city and the fishing village has become a cultural and recreational park.
- Yundang Lake (筼筜湖) was originally called Yundang Harbor. it was named after a bamboo that grows in the region's forests. The lake divides the old and new urban areas of Xiamen. Around the lake are several interestng structures, such as Bailuzhou in the center of the lake, the People's Hall and bridges that are illuminated at night, amongst others.
- Nearby Gulangyu Island boasts numerous Victorian-style buildings. The island has ferry connections with Xiamen. Gulangyu scenic spot offers great views over Xiamen. There is a small entry fee, which includes the ferry and entrance to Haoyue Park. There are small shops everywhere in Gulangyu that sell local products, including crafts, calligraphy, beads, carved lacquer, painted sculptures, ceramics, etc. There are countless restaurants on the island. Gulangyu Island was included in UNESCO's list of world heritage sites in 2017.
- Sunlight Rock (日光岩) is also known as Huang Rock. It sits at the summit of Longtou Mountain in the southern part of Gulangyu Island. Sunlight Rock actually consists of 2 rocks, leaning against each other.
Museums
- The Gulangyu Piano Museum (鼓浪屿钢琴博物馆) houses a collection of more than 40 old pianos donated by the pianist Hu Youyi.
- Museum of 'incessant' Xiamen memories (不辍旧物馆) is at no. 122 Minzu Road. It exhibits old gadgets that hold the memories of Xiamen.
- Oriental Fish Bone Gallery (东方鱼骨博物馆) was founded by Chinese artist Lin Hanbing in 2006. Lin creates artworks from raw materials, including food waste such as fish bones, fins, scales, eyes, shrimp antennae and crab shells. The materials are arranged into realistic paintings like flowers, birds and beasts, as well as abstract artworks imbued with a deeper meaning.
- The Overseas Chinese Museum (华侨博物院) was founded by Tan Kah Kee. It has exhibitions on the history of Chinese people living overseas. The museum houses more than 1,200 photos, 2,000 cultural relics and 1,000 specimens of rare birds, animals and marine creatures.
- Tan Kah Kee Memorial Museum (陈嘉庚纪念馆) is dedicated to social and historic celebrities. It is housed in a building that has unique southern Fujian features.
- Xiamen Museum (厦门博物馆) was founded in 1983. Originally it was located on the island of Gulangyu, but it was relocated to the Xiamen Culture and Arts Center in the Siming district in 2007. The museum includes 30,000 different cultural relics, such as porcelain items, paintings, calligraphy works, jades and stone carvings.
- Xiamen Olympic Museum (厦门奥林匹克博物馆) was the first Olympic-themed museum in China that was approved by both the Chinese as the International Olympic Committee. It features a collection of Olympic-related items.
There are numerous hotels and many excellent restaurants in town. Xiamen and the surrounding area boast many nice beaches. The city is 1730 km south of Beijing.
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