Xiamen Travel Guide

Xiamen is an international port city on the southeast coast of China. It is actually an island connected by a land bridge to the mainland. Travelers often arrive by long distance bus with the bus terminal in the heart of the city. Alternately, they can arrive by plane, landing at the airport to the north of the island. Xiamen itself has several scenic attractions, notably the HuLiShan fort to the south of the island. The Xiamen botanical gardens just north of Xiamen University is also an attraction, but be careful, or you might wander into the nearby military base. There are dozens of parks, especially the one near the lake in the middle of the island. Xiamen University itself is a pictoresque place to visit and each day, hundreds of tourists arrive to visit the university. Night life is diverse as there are dozens of bars and clubs to choose from. Cuisine ranges from traditional Chinese and Xiamenese fare to Indian, Cuban, and western, but be prepared to pay more for non-Chinese cuisines. Nearby Xiamen is Gulangyu island. Although tourists go there, it is also a place of residence. Therefore, many famous buildings or notable buildings are also someone's home or a store at the ground floor. Gulangyu's cemetaries are actually filled with British and American missionaries from the 19th century. For more information, www.amoymagic.com is a good website for further resources.

Xiamen is considered by the Chinese government a "model" Chinese city. It's incredibly clean, tidy, organised and CHEAP! It's located on the Eastern seaboard meaning it's main focus is commerce and therefore, Westerners. Many Westerners flying in and out of Xiamen on business are lulled into thinking all China is this clean, organised and English-speaking (hmmm...!). In addition to being a key centre of commerce and industry, it's also a key resort for more wealthy Chinese looking for some "time out". If you're a leisure traveller this means avoid the place during peak tradeshow season (April-May and Oct) and Chinese holiday periods...

The really special part of this city is the small island which used to be home to the British, French and other 'colonisers' in the 19th and early 20th century. It is only a 5 minute ferry ride from the main part of the city, but it seems a million miles away. There are no cars or bikes on the island and in the early mornings and evenings (when the day tripping tourists aren't there) it is very quiet and peaceful. There are some nice hotels on the far side of the island with good views of the sea.