Gulangyu (Gǔlàngyǔ, 鼓浪屿), literally "Drum Wave Islet," is located several hundred meters off Xiamen's southwestern tip and was the city's pre-World War II foreign concession. Christian missionaries and foreign diplomats established homes, schools and consulates on the islet in the 1920's. The study of piano proved more popular with the locals than the study of religion and in the following decades, Gulangyu churned out some of China's most skilled musicians. The history of this period is well documented in the Piano Museum. Nowadays, the islet is a popular tourist destination but still reachable only by ferry. The double-decker ferry can be taken from the terminal at the end of Zhongshan Lu (Zhōngshān Lù, 中山路). After disembarking, you'll be met by hordes of pearl-pedaling locals and golf buggy drivers. A very short walk from the ferry terminal will bring yo... more >>

Located in Xiamen's gloriously green Dongping Shan (Dōngpíng Shān, 东坪山) scenic area, about 15 minutes' drive out of the main city, the Strange Slope (Guài Pō, 怪坡) is a bizarre little stretch of road that will turn your senses, if not upside down, then certainly a little off kilter. What is "strange" about this particular slope is that it appears to defy gravity; while it looks like it goes uphill, it is in fact going down. Discovered in 2003 by a taxi driver, it has become a popular tourist stop and you can expect to be beset by hawkers pitching RMB 1 rides on their rickety old bicycles. Head to the "bottom" of the slope, take your feet off the pedals and be amazed as you just keep on rolling along! Your taxi driver will also be more than happy to drive onto the hill and, cutting the engine, grin at your reaction as the car seems to be pulled uphi... more >>

While many Chinese universities aren’t particularly attractive, Xiamen University (Xiàmén Dàxué, 厦门大学), founded in 1921 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, stands out. The large, manicured green campus has a small lake and several ponds and is backed by rolling hills looking out to sea. Having made his fortune in a number of industries in Singapore, Fujian-born Tan Kah Kee (Chén Jiāgēng, 陈嘉庚), who also founded the Overseas Chinese Museum, financed schools in both his homeland and his adopted home. The university was handed over to the government in 1937 and temporarily relocated to western Fujian a year later during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Today, it is both an academic and research university with relationships to several universities around the world. Fujian guide | Xiamen guide | Xiamen attractions | Xiamen flight... more >>

Xiamen Underwater Sea World (Xiàmén Hǎidǐ Shìjiè, 厦门海底世界) is one of Mainland China's more impressive aquariums. It's home to more than 10,000 aquatic critters and creatures from around the world. The collection includes a large selection of fish, dolphins, penguins, eels, lobsters, sharks, starfish, seals, sturgeons and even a few piranhas shipped in from the Amazon. There is an underwater glass viewing tunnel which enables you to check out the sharks and other marine life up close. This is the highlight of Underwater Sea World; many of the other enclosures may leave some feeling a little sorry for their occupants. Park patrons are also welcome to feed and take photos with the dolphins. Feeding the turtles and shark pups is also available for the more adventurous. Fujian guide | Xiamen guide | Xiamen attractions | Xiamen flights Xiamen hotels | ... more >>

Like most temples of its kind in China, Nanputuo Temple (Nánpǔtuó Sì, 南普陀寺) has seen its share of violence and destruction. The original constructions were built more than a millennium ago, then destroyed and later rebuilt in the Tang Dynasty, only to repeat the process in the Ming Dynasty and yet again during the Cultural Revolution. Later renovations in the early 1980's left the temple as it is today. The temple consists of four separate halls of worship, monk's quarters and some of the best maintained grounds and landscaping you're likely to find in any Chinese temple. Stone carvings, lotus filled ponds and secluded caves are scattered about the grounds. If you're after a bit of good luck, try tossing a coin on the rock behind the main temple—if it says on, good luck should be coming your way. Behind the smoky courtyards, libraries, monk's digs, temp... more >>

Rising from the midst of southeast China's lush countryside, the Hakka earthen buildings (tǔlóu, 土楼) are unlike anything else you'll see in China (or, for that matter, anywhere else). And the Tianluokeng tulou (Tiánluókēng, 田螺坑), literally "Snail Hollow," are the prize jewels in the Fujian Tulou World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO in 2008, which actually includes 46 sites scattered across Fujian Province. Fujian guide | Xiamen guide | Xiamen attractions | Xiamen flights Xiamen hotels | Xiamen on the China Travel Blog more >>

Chinese nationals living overseas have long had a mixed reputation back home. So Tan Kah Kee (Chén Jiāgēng, 陈嘉庚), known as the "Henry Ford of Asia," sought to offer a glimpse to those back in the Middle Kingdom of those abroad in the Overseas Chinese Museum (Huáqiáo Bówùguǎn, 华侨博物馆). Established in 1956, the museum documents the lives of Chinese emigrants over the centuries. The museum's 3 halls feature over 7,000 exhibits including pottery, bronze wares, paintings and calligraphy, hundreds of plant and animal specimens, and even a couple of mummies which were found in Xinjiang Province. Born in 1874, Tan went to Singapore at age 16 to join his father's business and later built his business empire. With his wealth, he financially supported schools in Singapore and Fujian, including the University of Xiamen, and backed Chinese efforts a... more >>

Zheng Chenggong (Zhèng Chénggōng, 郑成功), known to the West as Koxinga (transliterated into Chinese as 国姓爷, Guóxìngyé), is a Ming Dynasty icon, still celebrated in China today as a national hero. Depending on who you ask, Koxinga was either a ruthless and brutal pirate ruffian or a heroic soldier brimming with charisma and loyalty to the Ming. No matter which school of thought you subscribe to, it was Koxinga who led Chinese troops to victory over the Dutch East India Company for control of Taiwan in 1662, thereby ending almost four decades of Dutch occupancy. Later, Koxinga reinforced his popular nationalist image by his continued resistance to the Manchu invaders that became the Qing Dynasty. The Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall (Zhèng Chénggōng Jìniànguǎn, 郑成功纪念馆) commemorates his famous victory, along with other signif... more >>

The Piano Museum (Gǎnqíng Bówùguǎn, 感情博物馆) is located on Xiamen's sister island Gulangyu. The museums houses approximately 200 pianos, collected from all corners of the globe by piano enthusiast and Gulangyu native resident, Hu Youyi. Some of the British, French, German, Austrian, American and Australian-made pianos are over a century old. In addition to it's staggering collection of pianos, there are also a number of interesting old barrel organs, although unfortunately not complete with stereotypical trick-performing monkey and mustachioed grinder. If you're lucky, you'll be treated to an impromptu performance from one of the staff or local enthusiast. Fujian guide | Xiamen guide | Xiamen attractions | Xiamen flights Xiamen hotels | Xiamen on the China Travel Blog more >>