Xiamen Part II: Gulangyu Island

Faces of Xiamen:








Covering a total area of 1.78 square kilometers, Gulangyu Island is located off the coast of Xiamen City. The Chinese name has musical roots, as gu lang means "drum waves," so-called because of the sound generated by the ocean waves hitting the reefs. Yu means "islet."

As a place of residence for Westerners during Xiamen's colonial past, Gulangyu is famous for its architecture and for being home to China's largest piano museum.

This tiny community of 20,000 has more pianos per capita than anywhere else on the planet-hence Gulangyu's nickname "Piano Isle."

Located five minutes by boat from Xiamen, Gulangyu is really a Shangri-la-like tourist attraction. No road vehicles are allowed here, bicycles are the only means of transportation.

A Delayed Post: Xiamen

March 23, 2007-March 25, 2007: Derek and I met up with my Dad and Debbie on a business trip to Xiamen.

Located at the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a tourist city of Fujian Province famous for its attractive seascape. The city has been a major seaport since ancient times. The name "Xiamen" means a gate of China.










During our travels through Xiamen, we had the privilege of meeting a local family who lived on the oldest street in the city. The household (which consists of a husband and wife, the wife's mother and the couple's daughter) run their business out of a storefront on the main level. The remaining four levels make up their home. Unfortunately, the city has plans to demolish the famous street this year.