Gulangyu

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Koxinga Statue

Gulangyu (鼓浪屿) [1] is an island in Xiamen.

[edit] Understand

Gulangyu has a population around 15,000. Cars and motorcycles are banned from the island. There are a lot of ex-colonial buildings and many shops geared towards tourists.

This island is extremely popular with Chinese tourists, who arrive in droves, usually in large tour groups. Although the island is quite scenic, the noisy crowds can at times diminish its attractiveness. Nonetheless, the island makes for a pleasant short stay and offers an experience quite unique in China.

[edit] Get in

Take the five-minute ferry ride across the harbor from Xiamen. It is free on the outward journey and you pay on the way back. +1 Yuan if you want to sit on the upper deck. As you board the return ferry there are many people who offer a return trip in a speedboat, for 10 yuan a person (ferry is 8 yuan a person). If less than 4 people, you may have to wait for them to get 4 people together.

[edit] Get around

The island is small enough to walk around, but there are golfcart-type battery-powered taxis.

[edit][add listing] See

A discount card can be bought on the island which gives entry to The Statue of Koxinga, the Piano Museum, Sunlight Rock (including cable car ride), the Aviary, the Organ Museum and the International Calligraphic Carving Art Gallery for ¥80.

• Statue Of Koxinga (Haoyue Garden), (5 minutes walk south east of the ferry terimal). Zheng Chenggong, or Koxinga as he is generally known in the West, is a Chinese hero revered both in Taiwan and on the mainland, because he drove the Dutch out of Taiwan in the 1660s. He was the son of a Japanese mother and a merchant and pirate from the Quanzhou area. There's an enormous statue of him on horseback on a hilltop in Quanzhou. As the Manchu conquerers of the Qing dynasty moved South, the father surrendered and became a Qing official, but the son fought on. At one point, his armies got as far as menacing Nanjing. His headquarters were at the South end of Gulang Yu; a watchtower and some other fortifications remain. Eventually, he found himself defeated on the mainland, so he went off and took over Taiwan. This was the first major Chinese incursion into Taiwan and was followed by a surge of immigration, mainly from the Xiamen and Quanzhou areas. Modern Taiwanese is essentially the Minnan dialect of those cities. ¥15.  edit

• The Piano Museum (Shuzhuang Garden). A museum of piano through the ages. Only for real piano lovers. It is set in a nice sea facing garden.  edit

• Sunlight Rock. This is the highest point on the island with great views as far as Xiamen. Entry included into Buddhist temple, the Aviary and a cable car ride. ¥60.  edit

• The Aviary. Over 1000 birds from over 100 countries. Many peacocks, including a rare Albino. Many types of cranes and large birds. Watch for falling excrement.  edit

• The Organ Museum.  edit
• International Calligraphic Carving Art Gallery.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

Visit the Red Dragon shop which sells wonderful pure clear crystal and about 2000 other types of crystal. To be found five minutes walk on the left hand side of the main road leading from the ferry terminal. Delightful owner employs four or five chatty, helpful and witty assistants. Worth half a days leisurely browse!

• Seei, (a few streets inland from the Ferry Terminal, in a busy shopping area), ☎ 592-2081299, [2]. Artsy shop that sells import design houseware and decor. Custom illustrations and a youthful atmosphere.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

The food on the island is not especially good, since it caters to tourists who rarely come back a second time. However, if you enjoy seafood, you may be pleasantly surprised, as Gulang Yu's local cuisine tends to emphasize seafood. The streets are lined with restaurants and food stalls that sell a variety of such dishes. Prices are more expensive than in Xiamen.

• Shirley Valentine, (on the far side of the island). Serves fresh fish and noodles. Recommended are the mussels with noodles and green tea. A seat under an umbrella on the sea shore is a must.  edit
• Tea & Times, No. 30 Quan Zhou Road (a few streets inland from the Ferry Terminal, in a busy shopping area), ☎ 0592-2092 537, [3]. A tea/coffee shop run by a group of designers. Friendly owner and some of the best milk tea in all of China. Look for the charming black bird logo.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Bayview Inn, 17 Longtou Road (From ferry terminal, walk straight. Immediately on your left, you will see a stone stairway leading to the top of a small hill. First right.), ☎ (0592)2060466, 2060468 (bayviewinn@163.com, fax: (0592)2060468), [4]. checkout: 12 noon. Very nice, clean inn near the ferry terminal. Free internet and wi-fi. ¥45-60 dorm, ¥188 twin, ¥322 twin ensuite.  edit

• Gulangyu International Youth Hostel, 18 Lujiao Road (From ferry terminal, walk straight. Immediately on your left, you will see a stone stairway leading to the top of a small hill. First right), ☎ 0592-2066066 (yha@yhagly.com, fax: 0592-2066022), [5].  edit

• Naya Home Hotel, (From ferry terminal, walk straight. Immediately on your left, you will see a stone stairway leading to the top of a small hill. First right.), [6]. Wonderful homestyle hotel, quaint decoration. Also doubles as an Italian Restaurant/Cafe with outdoor seating. Hotel also has 8 cats living in the grounds.  edit

[edit] Get out