The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

With its delicate natural beauty, ancient relics and classical and romantic European-style architecture, the island of Gulangyu is a must-see destination. The island?s name was inspired by the rhythmic pounding of the waves on the reef when the tide rushes in. Gu in Chinese means 'drum,' and Lang means 'waves.' On Gulangyu, there are no high-rises, no steel-and-glass edifices and no gas-powered vehicles. Simply fresh air and a fine appreciation for nature.

Other Fun Things to Do

• Get in touch with nature with a quiet stroll through the city’s parks: Bailuzhou Park and Jiageng Park. Watch the egrets flock in the day and fly home at night at Yundang Lake.
• Xiamen is recognized for producing an incredible variety of oil paintings with different specifications and styles. Visit the Xiamen Wushipu Oil Painting Village or the Xiamen Haicang Oil Painting Village.
• In 686, the Nanputuo Temple started as a cave dwelling for a single monk. Today, it is home to more than 120 monks and 50,000 Buddhist scriptures, the oldest Chinese Buddhist manuscript and a few hundred statues.
• Take a tour of the 10,000 Rock Botanical Garden featuring beautifully landscaped trails, more than 5,300 types of tropical and subtropical plants and a handful of temples including the Wan Shilian Temple built during the late Ming Dynasty.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

China is widely recognized as the homeland of tea. Devote some time to learn the intricate process of preparing and drinking Gongfu tea, a popular drink in Xiamen. On the culinary side, Xiamen cuisine is described as fresh, light, crisp and slightly spicy. Traditional dishes include Tu Sun Dong, a sea product called Xing Chong eaten with seasonings; peanut soup best eaten with dim sum dishes; and spring rolls, a fried rolled pancake filled with slices of various vegetables, meats and seafood. Vegetable dishes in the Nanputuo Temple depict Buddhist ideas and topics ? a must taste!

Shopping for Bargains

Zhongshan Road, the city?s most prosperous commercial area, offers large shopping centers and a variety of small retail stores. If you?re on the hunt for souvenirs, Longtou Road is the place to go and Xiahe Road delivers a comfortable and pleasant shopping experience with large commercial plazas and shopping centers scattered along the road. For brand-name items, check out the SM City Plaza. To add some entertainment to your shopping, head to Egret Alluvion Shopping and Entertainment City.

Local Currency

The official currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB or CNY). Most banks are able to exchange traveler?s checks and cash. Cash advances are also available for most major credit/debit cards. Major credit cards are accepted in major hotels and department stores but cannot be used in many restaurants or small convenience stores. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax on most purchases.

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