Xiamen 厦门

1

The highest point of Gulangyu (92.7m above sea level): Zheng Chenggong once stationed troops and trained here. The stone carvings at the Water Drill Platform and the "Gulang Dongtian" cliff inscription are historical sites. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the island's red roofs and the distant Xiamen Bay.

2

Built in 1913 by Taiwan merchant Lin Erjia, modeled after the Taipei Banqiao Lin Family Garden: The 44-Bridge 'Hiding the Sea' incorporates the sea into the garden; the bridge undulates gracefully with the tides, and the 'Mending the Mountain' Twelve Caves rockery cleverly constructs the garden space.

3

A Zheng Chenggong-themed garden at Fudingyan Seaside: The giant stone statue of Zheng Chenggong stands 15.7 meters tall (erected in 1985), clad in armor and holding a sword, gazing across the strait, serving as Gulangyu's landmark statue.

4

The red-tiled, round-window Bagua Tower (residence of Taiwan merchant Lin Heshou), built in 1907: A landmark of Gulangyu, now one of the world's largest piano museums. You can hear scheduled performances on the actual pipe organs and view the history of pianos from European church organs to hand-cranked ones.

5

Gulangyu's 'Dining Street': Old brands like Longtou Fish Ball Shop, Pan Xiaolian Pineapple Cake, Satay Noodles, and Fish Balls gather here, mixed with artistic boutiques, foreign-style architecture, and specialty stores in the alleys.

6

Gulangyu's residential area: quiet alleys and courtyard cafes are scattered, old villas and flower walls preserve the original flavor of the 'Piano Island', with a light commercial atmosphere and a strong local vibe.

7

Arcade commercial street built in 1925: 'Nanyang style' continuous arcade arches stretch out, a living specimen of the Min-Yue Nanyang merchant lineage.

8

Yushapo fishing port relics: fishing boats dock in the wind shelter, the Tanka people's 'Sending the King Boat' folk custom is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage project, old houses by the harbor and seafood restaurants continue the fishing port taste.

9

Founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee, the 'Southern Stronghold': Kaiping buildings use a 'one main, four subordinate' layout to blend Chinese large roofs with Western stone structures, with the Qunxian Building complex and Jiannan Auditorium backing against Wulao Peak facing the sea.

10

A famous Minnan temple with lineage from the Tang Dynasty's Puzhao Temple: home to the Minnan Buddhist Academy, the Hall of Heavenly Kings to the Great Compassion Hall (octagonal, three-tiered eaves) are built layer by layer along Wulao Peak, with the most incense burning in Minnan.

11

Seacoast fort built in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894): the 280mm Krupp cannon is the largest surviving coastal cannon of its kind in the world, Qing soldier drill performances are performed daily, and the seacoast history exhibition tells of Xiamen's defenses after the Sino-French War.

12

City beach next to Xiamen University: the wooden boardwalk connects to Hulishan Fortress to the south and Yanyu Bridge viewing platform to the north; sunset and sailboats are regular photogenic scenes.

13

Niche viewing garden behind Hongshan Temple: "Hongshan Zhiyu" (Hongshan Weaving Rain) is one of Xiamen's Eight Sceneries (named for rain swirling in the wind due to the mountain pass terrain), with the summit platform offering views of the twin towers of Gulangyu and the banks of the Lujiang River.

14

Linear park converted from abandoned tracks of the Ying-Xiamen Railway extension (2011): a 4.5km path cuts through the city; the Hongshan Tunnel section features railway history boards and light installations, with platforms, ballast, and flower beds forming an urban memory line.

15

"China's most artsy fishing village": clusters of Minnan-style ancient houses and creative homestays (over 800 rooms), with night markets, seafood stalls, and souvenir shops brightly lit.

16

43km golden coastline: Yeceng Village, Calligraphy Square, and Music Square string together the classic "Coastal Breeze and Sea Rhyme" cycling route, while the "One Country, Two Systems, Unify China" slogan board faces Jinmen Dadan Island across the sea.

17

Xiamen's largest wetland park: black swans swim in Swan Lake, and the mangrove boardwalk and maze bridge serve as a nature class for families.

18

Coastal theme park: A combination of a water park (summer) and rides at Dreamland World. Located next to Golden Beach and the Convention Center, it sees heavy foot traffic during exhibition seasons.

19

A school village established by Tan Kah Kee from 1913, praised by Mao Zedong as the 'Flag of Overseas Chinese and Glory of the Nation': The unique style of Kecheng buildings like Nanxun Hall and Daonan Hall features swallow-tail ridges paired with Western-style columns; the reflection of the building complex by the Dragon Boat Pond is Jimei's signature.

20

The world's largest water-themed Garden Expo: Built on Xinglin Bay islands, displaying Min-Tai Island, Jiangnan Garden, and International Gardens by continent; Music fountains and seasonal flower shows are highlights.

21

International resident circus: High-difficulty circus performances by international actors from Russia and others run year-round. Lingling Animal Kingdom features giraffes and white tigers. Circus show + Animal Kingdom combo starts at approx. CNY 180.

22

Minnan fishing culture theme park: Lao Yuanzi recreates scenes of ancient Minnan houses and fishing life. The 'Minnan Legend' show features a rotating stage centered on Zheng Chenggong and is stunning.

23

Xiamen Botanical Garden (established 1960): Succulent and desert plant areas and the 'Tropical Rainforest Mist' are internet-famous scenes (daily timed misting creates a fairyland). Pines and Cypress Garden, Flower Hall, and Rose Garden are distributed across the mountain.

24

A green lung of mountains and sea in the city center: Meihailing Triangle Plum Blossom Waterfall (blooming in winter and spring) is the city flower landscape belt. Dongping She Ancient Village and the ridge greenway are suitable for cycling and hiking.

25

Hutoushan Meteorological Theme Park: The 195-meter observation deck of Sea Pearl Tower overlooks Xiamen Port and Wanzhai Lake, with a science popularization exhibition at the World Meteorological Celebrity Garden.

26

A mountain for praying in the city center: The incense at the Tudi Gong Temple continues (Minnan folk custom, temple fair on the 2nd and 26th of the lunar month). The ridge trail connects with Hutoushan to form a ridge hiking line.

27

Haicang "Back Garden of Xiamen" 4A-level Forest Park: The quiet lakeside forest boardwalks around Liang'er Lake and Haoyue Lake, and the Four Seasons Flower Valley and wooden boardwalks are suitable for parent-child hiking.

28

A film base landscape resembling Tiananmen and Taihe Hall: A miniature palace complex where you can wear ancient costumes for photos. A nostalgic spot in the suburbs of Tong'an.

29

The site of Wang Shenzhi's rebellion when entering Fujian: Guangli Temple worships the "Opening Fujian Sage King". The Twelve Dragon Pools Waterfall cascades down the mountain, a scenic highlight.

30

Combination of three parks: Fantawild Dream Kingdom, Oriental Heritage, and Water Park. Oriental Heritage features popular Chinese cultural themed projects (Nezha Conquers the Dragon King, etc.), and the Water Park is open in summer.

31

Frontline "Heroic Three Islands" (Dadeng, Xiaodeng, Jiaoyu) for Taiwan: The Battlefield Scenic Area displays history and military works of the August 23 Artillery Battle, and the cross-strait small commodity trading market is a duty-free shopping point for Taiwan products. Jinmen is within sight (visible at low tide).

32

The rock temple on Xiangshan, Xiang'an: The "True Seclusion" stone carving by Zhu Xi is a famous site of Neo-Confucianism. The incense at Xiangshan Rock Temple continues the tradition of the Qingxiu Zushi. The summit offers views of the Xiang'an Plain.

33

The 23km "Cloud Sea Line" aerial trail opened in 2020: Connects Hutoushan, Xianyueshan, Yuanshan, and Wuyuanwan. Spiral ramps and forest trestles are built in the air, stringing together the city's landscape of mountains, sea, and lakes.