2026-01 Blog Archive

The island of Gulangyu whispers of a bygone era. Its car-free lanes, draped in bougainvillea and echoing with the faint practice notes from a hundred pianos, invite a slow, contemplative wander. Visitors come for the colonial architecture, the seaside vistas, and the palpable sense of history. But f

The salty breeze of the Taiwan Strait, the rhythmic clatter of mahjong tiles from an open window, and the dazzling, overwhelming spectacle of Zhongshan Road or the bustling stalls near Gulangyu's ferry terminal—this is Xiamen. A city where history whispers from colonial-era architecture and modern e

The allure of Xiamen is undeniable. Visitors flock to the winding lanes of Gulangyu, the vibrant energy of Zhongshan Road, and the serene views from Hulishan Fortress. Yet, beyond the famous photogenic spots lies a deeper, more contemplative layer of the city's culture, one that flows from the tip o

The image of Xiamen is often painted in specific strokes: the colonial architecture of car-free Gulangyu, the vibrant neon of Zhongshan Road, the serene vistas from atop Xiamen University. Tourists flock to these hotspots, cameras in hand, capturing the visual symphony of this coastal city. Yet, the