Xiamen
Famous Tourism Area and Second Largest City in Fujian
Xiamen is the second largest city in Fujian Province, and one of the most attractive city and trading centre in China. Also known as Amoy, Xiamen is a famous port with long history, it was founded in 14 century during the Ming Dynasty, later it became a base for Koxinga to restore Ming supremacy against Manchu. Until early of 19 century, western countries were allowed trade only in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. After First Opium War, Britain took over Hongkong and China was forced to open five "Treaty Ports", and Xiamen was one of them. Since then Xiamen act as an international port, and became one of most prosperous city in China after designated as Special Economic Zones in early 1980.
Destination Spots
Located in the southwest of Xiamen City, Gulangyu Island can be accessed by ferryboat from Xiamen in about 5 minutes. This island also known as "Garden on the Sea" because its area covered by verdant trees and plants. Its name "Gulang" which means "drum waves" came from a sound generated by the ocean waves hitting the coastal rocks. Sunlight Rock in the southern part of the island, is the highest place in the island, where travelers can see bird's eye view of Xiamen City. Located on the seashore south of Sunlight Rock, there are Shuzhuang Park which were built in 1913. Originally designated as a private villa, this wonderful scenery later opened as public visitor. Its excellent layout include arrangement of rock, pavilion, and caves led this amazing sea garden as symbol of Gulangyu Island.
Located in the southeastern part of downtown, Wanshi Scenic Area is a natural landscapes of mountains and lakes. There are more than 4,000 species of tropical and subtropical flora, creating a marvelous garden.
South Putuo Temple is the most reputed Buddhist temple in Xiamen, which were built during Tang Dynasty. The temple located at the foot of Five Old Men Hill (Wulaoshan), southern part of Xiamen and nearby to Xiamen University. South Putuo Temple houses a huge collections of Buddhist relics, artifacts and ancient scriptures. Build with grandeur architecture, inside the temple are Hall of Heavenly King, Hall of Great Hero, Scripture House, and Great Compassion Hall.
Hulishan Fort is an ancient military facilities including barracks, secret tunnels, fortified building and dozens kind of canons, both Chinese and Western made. Established in 1896 during the Qing Dynasty, Hulishan Fort located on the southern shore of Xiamen City.