Gulangyu Island

On the second day of the short holiday, I went to Gulangyu Island. There were so many people. Fortunately, I booked the boat tickets online several days in advance. Many people went to buy tickets on the spot on the day and were disappointed. I advise everyone to avoid some popular attractions as much as possible during holidays. We live in Zengcuo'an, so we visited the snack street of Zengcuo'an on the first day. When we arrived at Gulangyu Island, we found that the two places were not very different. The things and snacks sold in the shops are similar. Walking along the commercial street is some exotic streets, which is very suitable for taking pictures in some fresh clothes. There are many attractions in Gulangyu Island. You can pick one or two appropriately. We went to Moonlight Rock, a relatively niche attraction with fewer people.



We stayed at Zengcuo'an HiAir B&B. We booked it online before coming to Xiamen. The mint color scheme has a strong Instagram style. Their yard is perfect for taking photos. I especially like the internet-famous bus at the door. It's super fresh. The room experience is also quite comfortable. The room we booked has a bathtub and a projector. It's really comfortable to take a bath and watch a movie after walking all day~~~

One-day tour of Gulangyu Island (wandering around the alleys - Catholic Church - Repin Art Museum - Shuzhuang Garden - Sunlight Rock)

 

In Gulangyu, you should spend at least a day to stroll around and eat delicious food mainly on Longtou Road.



How to buy tickets for Gulangyu Island: Buy tickets on WeChat official account: Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd. You can buy tickets within 5 days in advance, and you can directly swipe your ID card to go to the island after the purchase is successful.

 

Gulangyu Food:

 

Shao Ziya Gongwan Fish Balls: One of the must-try snacks in Xiamen. Shao Ziya is one of the few Chinese time-honored brands in Xiamen. The fish balls are purely handmade, and great care is taken from the selection of raw materials to the processing and production. Shao Ziya’s shark balls are especially recommended. The soup is very fresh, the meatballs have a uniform texture, are super Q, and are chewy!

Address: No. 178 Longtou Road, Gulangyu Island

 

Xiaozhu Seafood Local Cuisine: Gulangyu Internet-famous seafood that Xiamen local foodies are crazy about. This is a restaurant with a relatively high cost-effectiveness. The decoration style is artistic and fresh, with a little bit of the characteristics of old Xiamen. The location is quiet in the bustling city, which is very suitable for a few drinks.

Address: Longtou Road, Gulangyu Island

 

Recommended B&B: Xiamen HiAir B&B

 

It is not recommended to stay on Gulangyu Island. It is not very cost-effective and not very convenient. The shops on Gulangyu Island are normally closed around 10 to 11 pm, so there are fewer choices for a midnight snack.

 

So this time I chose a homestay in Zengcuo'an. It is quiet in the bustling area and has a good location. There is a snack street at the door and direct buses to various attractions.

 

The security is quite high. On the day of check-in, the clerk thoughtfully prepared toiletries and explained a lot of precautions, which made people feel safe.

 

Most of the rooms have king-size beds, but there are also twin rooms that can accommodate 4 people, making them very suitable for family travel.

 

The address of the B&B: No. 557, Zengcuo'an Community, Siming District, Xiamen

 

 

[Travel] It is strongly recommended to book ferry tickets in advance! You can book 15 days in advance. You can buy tickets directly from the official WeChat public account (xmferry or Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd.). Then you can board the ship by swiping your second-generation ID card when you arrive at the terminal on the same day. It should be noted that there are several terminals in Xiamen and Gulangyu. Be sure to pay attention when booking tickets. There are special terminals for tourists. We chose ❤ Cruise Center Xiagu Terminal → ❤ Sanqiutian Terminal. We have to go to Sanqiutian Terminal before 4 o'clock on the return trip. We also swipe the second-generation ID card to board the ship directly back to the Cruise Center Xiagu Terminal. The coordinates of the terminal are uploaded in the picture for reference.

[Tour] We went to Gulangyu in late April. There were a lot of people, really a lot. Because Gulangyu itself is limited in area, it is still very crowded even with limited flow. If time permits, it is recommended to stay on the island so that you can enjoy it quietly. There are not many attractions to introduce. Gulangyu has also been through many hardships. The architectural styles on the island are different. It is very interesting to appreciate them carefully. Although the street shops are all modern decorations, the actual buildings are more than a hundred years old, and the ancient trees have stood for hundreds of years. There are also many small fresh decorations for tourists to take pictures.

Another point is, don't expect navigation in Gulangyu. Please look at road signs or paper maps. Because Gulangyu is currently undergoing road construction, many navigation results in dead ends. Moreover, Gulangyu is very small and positioning is often inaccurate, making it even more difficult to derive an accurate route.

【Food】 Compared with Xiamen, Gulangyu has few food options. It is recommended to choose regular restaurants on the island. The hotel also repeatedly told us not to eat seafood just for cheap. You get what you pay for, especially in tourist attractions. It is not worth it to get an upset stomach. There are many snacks in the food street. As a northerner, I found the interesting ones after eating for a few days ❤ Egg rice noodle rolls (not rolled up), ❤ flatbread (seems to be small wontons), ❤ spicy hot pot (with soup and no sesame sauce and garlic sauce), and various seafood. Coastal cities are naturally tempted.

[Accommodation] There are many accommodations on Gulangyu Island. This time we chose ❤ Gallery Hotel-Renaissance Branch. There are many galleries in Gulangyu Island with different styles. They were very considerate to send us a route map in advance and also gave us a map of Gulangyu Island for our reference.

In short, Gulangyu Island is worth savoring. Once the hustle and bustle fades away and you are patient enough, you will discover its loveliness.

I have heard many reviews about Gulangyu Island. I have been to Weizhou Island before and I love it very much, so I am not very interested in Gulangyu Island. But since I am in Xiamen, as a tourist, I still need to check in. Before I went, my husband reminded me: I have been to Weizhou Island. Gulangyu Island is so small, how can there be surprises? I convinced him that since I am here, I should go for a walk. Although I will regret it if I have been there, I will always miss it if I have not been there. In this case, let me give up my hope once and for all🤣🤣🤣…

Ticket: I bought it directly on the WeChat official account of Xiamen Ferry Company. During the Qingming Festival, the 35-yuan ordinary ticket was sold out, so I bought a 50-yuan deluxe ticket. However, the difference between ordinary and deluxe is just a few more stools. As it is a holiday, there are crowds of people. Without stools, it doesn't matter whether it is deluxe or not.

Tickets: We didn't buy any tickets because we just wanted to hang out and didn't plan to visit any attractions. We looked at the tickets and found that if we needed them, we could buy a combined ticket for 100 yuan per person, which was more cost-effective than buying them individually.

Food: As a foodie, I will definitely try delicious food wherever I go. Here are some recommendations for food I have tried. 1. Huang Abo Oyster Omelette: It is said to be the most original way to cook it. I personally think the taste is just average.

Address: A little past the public toilet at Neicuoao Pier

2. Zhongjie Braised Food: The taste is good and very tasty, similar to Sichuan braised food. I personally like it because it is close to the vegetable market and many island residents buy it there.

Address: No. 310 Longtou Road

3. Nameless cuttlefish balls: They look plain and taste very nice and fresh, and nothing is added except salt.

Address: No. 2 Sanming Road, an alley behind Sanqiutian Wharf

4. A fresh juice shop near Mayouhan Memorial Hall. I don’t remember the name. The mango juice is delicious. Remember: don’t add anything. Just squeeze it.

In fact, Gulangyu is the Zengcuo'an on the sea, with the same crowds of people, the same dazzling array of shops, and of course, the Internet celebrity shops, the ice cream brother who flirts with girls, the small shop selling handicrafts, the most popular Internet celebrity Miss Zhao's shop, and the most delicious Shacha noodles recommended on the Internet. All of these are on Longtou Road. Except for the crowded main street of Longtou Road, it is still very fresh and quiet to stroll slowly in the alleys. If you have a friend who is good at taking pictures, and match it with a set of literary and artistic clothes, you can take a blockbuster in minutes...

Gulangyu is generally very nice, but the prices on the island are slightly high.

In terms of transportation, you can take a bus from Xiamen to Xiamen Central Pier and take a ferry. However, it is worth noting that you must book the ferry ticket in advance on the Xiamen Ferry website, as the ferry tickets are very tight.

If you want to learn more about history and scenery, it is recommended to go to Gulangyu during the day. If you want to understand the life and culture of the locals, you must go at night. You don’t have to worry about returning to Xiamen Island. The ferry back to Xiamen Island is available until the early morning. The boat will stop near Zhongshan Road, and the transportation nearby is very convenient.

I am Nutshell and Sugarjar, the landlords of Tianjin Wudadao B&B, sharing a warm life and a life with attitude.

For tickets to Gulangyu, you can follow the official accounts of Xiamen Cruise and Gulangyu Ticketing Center on WeChat or Alipay. After registration, you can buy tickets, and the remaining tickets are synchronized in real time. A round-trip ticket for an ordinary class is 35. After successfully purchasing it on WeChat or Alipay, you do not need to exchange tickets when you arrive at the site. You can enter the dock by swiping your ID card.

My impression of Xiamen and Gulangyu is that they are both artistic, but there was a slight disappointment before landing on the island. Even though it was not the peak tourist season in November, there were a lot of elderly and middle-aged groups at the boarding area. It was still early before boarding time, but we occupied the channel, and when the ticket checking started, it was inevitable that we had to squeeze and cut in line.

Even if they were 4-year-olds, they ignored them and pushed and bumped into each other to show off their physical strength. When they were fighting for seats on the ship, they saw many parents holding their children standing and middle-aged women occupying many seats, not letting others sit.

Gulangyu Island is actually very beautiful, with various historical buildings, which are somewhat similar to the style of Tianjin's Wudadao. However, because it is built on an island, the layers of buildings and the blue sea and sky are like a shining star, making Gulangyu look like a beautiful and elegant lady.

There is no means of transportation on the island, so you have to walk to get around it. Fortunately, it is not very big, so if you walk through all the streets and alleys, one day is enough to travel around.

The most prosperous place is of course Longtou Road, which is full of Internet celebrity stores and snack streets. To be honest, one visit is enough. The business level is not high-end and there are no literary and artistic stores.

Except for Longtou Street, the rest of the streets and alleys are very beautiful. Looking down from Sunlight Rock, although Gulangyu is a mixture of man-made and commercial, it is still outstanding. Especially in the evening and early morning, when there are few people, walking into the island, the heart is particularly quiet.

Parents with children can help their children carry scooters, which is very convenient here. Even bicycles are rare, so it is safe for children to ride. The slope is not too steep, and children can also handle it.

Avoiding the crowds, it is still very beautiful to take photos in Gulangyu. I recommend finding a travel photography agency online, the results are very good.

This is an island that makes people want to run. It must be beautiful to run around the island chasing the sunset in the evening.

I like the quietness of this place, and I also like the sudden brightness of the sky after the rain. Walking and stopping, meeting different people will give you different scenery. Although each exquisite little shop is born for business, it is not burdened by business.

Gulangyu is a small island in Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province. It is a famous scenic spot. Known as the "International Architecture Expo", it has the highest density of pianos in the country. It is also known as the "Piano Island" and "Hometown of Music". It is a very romantic tourist attraction and a must-visit place in Xiamen. On July 8, 2017, it was successfully listed as a World Heritage Site and became China's 52nd World Heritage Project.

The day I went to Gulangyu was February 6, the second day of the first lunar month. I was all alone on the crowded ferry, but I didn’t expect that a huge surprise was waiting for me.

＊! I would like to urge everyone that Gulangyu Ferry does not accept on-site ticket sales now (as far as I know). Please book your ferry tickets through WeChat official account or official website half a month or at least a few days in advance! I asked the hotel travel agency to help me, and the round-trip ticket of 35 yuan was sold for 200 yuan. ＊

＊There are several ferry terminals. The recommended terminal is the one from Xiamen International Cruise Center to Sanqiutian Terminal. It is very convenient in the city center. The International Cruise Terminal even goes directly to Zhongshan Road.＊

＊Students must bring their student ID and ID card, all tickets are half price, cheaper than the combined ticket!＊

＊There is a complete version of the hand-drawn map for sale on the ferry for only 5 yuan. There is absolutely no problem with self-guided travel. There is also return flight information, recommended attractions, etc. If you are really worried, you can also use Baidu Maps for navigation＊

Then I went on to discuss that, in short, I was weak, pitiful and helpless, but I could eat, because I only had one ticket. After I arrived on the island, I first traced the traces that my mother had left on Gulangyu 30 years ago, and looked for the warmth of blood in the old photos.

Looking at these comparison pictures, I feel really emotional. Why didn’t I inherit my mother’s beauty at all? ? ?

In short, I first rushed to Riguang Rock to climb up and look far into the distance, and to Shuzhuang Garden to appreciate the small bridges and flowing water. After playing in the waves at the beach, I strolled back from Fuzhou Road and Longtou Road, ate, went to the Organ Museum to visit the Bagua Tower, and went to Haoyue Garden to pay homage to the statue of Zheng Chenggong. Finally, I watched the sunset on the return cruise ship to end the trip perfectly.

Conclusion: I am happy, really happy. You should be able to feel my happiness and the beauty of Gulangyu Island through the screen.

The travel agency that helped me get the ticket told me, "You'll regret it whether you go to Gulangyu or not." But I think I'll regret it even more if I don't go.

☞I walked along the bustling Longtou Road, eating a mouthful of earthworm jelly, squid rolls, cuttlefish balls, cold noodles, satay noodles, fried rice noodles, grilled sausages, durian cakes, grilled corn, candied haws, panda ice cream, plum soup, and ginger tea, with real happiness and beauty in my heart; I walked along the steep Bishan Road, looking for exquisite and quiet little shops to give myself some time, to feel the beauty of the bright sunlight shining through the leaves under the ancient low wall; I walked along the white beach, watching the children shoveling sand at the beach, taking off their shoes and socks willfully, and screaming in the warm winter due to the stimulation of the cool sea water; I climbed to the Sunlight Rock, writing with sadness step by step, being melted by the sun, but at the moment of reaching the top, I was shocked by the beautiful scenery and lost my words; I walked along the long Guanhai Road, solemnly, looking up at the upright back of Zheng Chenggong and the twin towers shining in the sun opposite in the beautiful courtyard...☜

"True heroism is to love life after recognizing the truth of life", and true tourism is to feel the charm of a place after recognizing and finding it.

I think Gulangyu is such a place where we can enjoy what we need. It makes us think, appreciate, grow, and finally, be grateful.

I bought the boat ticket 15 days in advance. Tickets bought online can be directly entered by swiping the second-generation ID card, without picking up the ticket. Later, I heard from the taxi driver that in the next few days, people who did not buy the boat ticket online in advance could not buy tickets on site, and finally could not go to the island. In Xiamen, they could only visit the park. After getting off the boat, I followed the navigation to arrive at my accommodation on Gulangyu Island smoothly. I booked a hotel on Gulangyu Island on China-TravelNote. The weather on the island on the 3rd was really good, which was equivalent to April and May in Nanjing. It was more than 20 degrees at noon, and it was cooler in the morning and evening. It was enough to wear a small cotton coat or sweater with a coat. I just couldn't figure out the weather. I brought a lot of clothes, which were too heavy. I sat quietly next to my son and played with him in the sand for an afternoon until the sun set. I think such happy childhood time will become less and less as he goes to elementary school. He played very attentively. Every time I called him to look up at the camera, he was very angry, haha, because he interrupted his play. In the evening, the weather was a bit bad. The imagined sunset and red clouds did not appear, but it was still very beautiful.

Flowers can be seen everywhere in Xiamen. As for food on the island, those near the pier seem to be more expensive, and those farther away from the pier seem to be cheaper. A small bowl of shacha noodles costs 30+, and some cost more than 40. I am not used to it. A serving of fried rice costs 30, a serving of dumplings costs 30, and a serving of 5 cuttlefish balls costs 15 yuan. The quantity is very small and it is served in a disposable bowl. I think it is quite expensive. It costs more than 100 yuan for two adults and one child to eat a full meal. My sister bought a mango for 10 yuan, which is very cheap. I am allergic to mangoes. I ate a bite greedily, and my neck had a lot of rashes the next day.

After 9 o'clock, there were more and more people. No matter what I took pictures of, I saw heads of people. I didn't want to take pictures anymore.

The next day, I followed the map to visit the attractions on Gulangyu Island. I bought the combined ticket online. The weather was bad that day. The temperature dropped, it was cold, and there was no sun, which seriously affected my mood for traveling. I got up at 7 o'clock.

I went to the organ museum, but didn't go to other places, which was a bit disappointing. In fact, Gulangyu is really beautiful, but I feel that it is enough to just walk around outside. There is not much difference between the inside and outside of the scenic spot.

In the morning, the deserted beach is really beautiful, with its own filter.

Gulangyu is a small island. You need to take a boat to get there. You need to book the boat ticket one day in advance, 2-3 days in advance, otherwise you can't go there on the same day. I didn't know about this and delayed it for a day. There is a timetable for taking the boat. Not booking a good time is the key to determining the itinerary. So you must buy the ticket in advance. There are too many guides on the Internet, so I won't explain it in detail.

A must-visit place for everyone who comes to Xiamen. "Literary" and "Romantic" are not exaggerations to describe Gulangyu. If you want to go to Gulangyu, please remember! ! ! You must buy the boat ticket in advance! ! ! Otherwise, you may not be able to buy a suitable ticket. Because Gulangyu has a limited flow, the number of people going to the island every day is very limited, so you must plan your time in advance. The route that tourists usually take is: Xiagu Wharf-Sanqiutian Wharf. I follow the official account of Xiamen Cruise Co., Ltd. on WeChat

After purchasing the ferry tickets, tourists who want to go can pay attention to the information of various flights in advance.

Gulangyu is a place that can only be measured by foot. There are no cars on Gulangyu, and all travel depends on walking. I have been to Badaguan in Qingdao and Wudadao in Tianjin before, which are similar to this kind of villa complex of century-old small western-style buildings. But I think Gulangyu is the most open. These old buildings have now become homestays or restaurants and coffee shops. People can not only see the scenery but also walk in to feel its charm! Gulangyu's boat tickets are booked in advance on the WeChat official account! If you book it on the day or even one or two days before, there may be no tickets! We stayed in Gulangyu for two nights, so we wandered around on the first day and arranged to visit the five major attractions on the second day. The streets on Gulangyu are crisscrossed, which is very suitable for wandering and dazed. Walking on every street will feel beautiful. I think wearing a cheongsam will feel like a world away. Here, every step and every scene seems familiar but not exactly the same. I originally only wanted to stay in Gulangyu for one night, but my colleagues recommended staying for two nights. Thank you for your advice. My trip wants this feeling of not rushing and not daring to wander slowly.

As soon as you get ashore, there will be many "tour guides" looking for you. (Do you really need a tour guide for such a small island??!!) But to be honest, the roads on the island look similar, and it is really not easy to find where you want to go.

I like the architectural style here, red bricks, white walls, black lights, and marble with Western-style carvings, which are well-arranged! It is a visual and sensory enjoyment! So this must be a holy place for taking photos (wedding photos)!

After talking about the original local architectural style, let's talk about the more commercial shops! Although it is commercial, you will definitely like it because its decoration is very eye-catching! Very literary and fresh! "Sugar Cat", "Dulce de Leche", "Jasmine Tong", "Su Xiaotang"... There are really countless! In addition to the eye-catching decoration, the most important thing is the hospitality, very warm and hospitable, introducing tea or sugar, and nagging you while introducing it. This is one of the reasons why I can go shopping alone for a day! Walking into the store will not make you feel strange, there is a sense of intimacy!

The most common thing to do at night is to drink tea and eat candy or cakes. Every time you enter a store, the waiter or waitress will hand you a cup of hot tea. Some are sour, some are sweet, some are astringent, some are floral, some are fruity, and some are honey. The water temperature is very hot, and it will not get hot even if you hold it in your hand in a special teacup. While drinking hot tea, listen to them explain the effects of tea, and then try a piece of cake or candy. If it is not enough or you don’t like it, then have another cup. This is what a comfortable life is like! These stores on Gulangyu Island are enough for you to drink for a day.

Let me talk about another fun and essential part of Gulangyu Island - stamp collecting!! The most important personal skill is to know the way! This is a big challenge for me who is bad at directions!! I walked some roads many times, challenging my endurance! I can't help it, my sense of direction is negative! But because of stamp collecting, I have walked all the streets and alleys of Gulangyu Island! I have walked all the shops listed in the stamp collection book, and I can call myself "half a local!" Hahaha!

Gulangyu Island has short and crisscrossing streets. It is the largest island in Xiamen.

If you want to go to Gulangyu Island, the only means of transportation is to take a boat from Xiamen's Xiagu Wharf to Sanqiutian Wharf or Neicuoao Wharf on the other side.

During the peak season on Gulangyu Island, you may have to wait until the end of time. The boat ticket is 35/person, which is a round-trip ticket. When you go there, it is a fixed-point boat ticket. You can take the boat you buy. When you come back, you can take the boat at any time. There is no regulation. You can buy the ticket online and just swipe your ID card when passing through the lock... Basically, there is a boat every 20-30 minutes.

It was probably not the peak season for Gulangyu when we went there, but there were still so many people, which fully demonstrated the importance of buying tickets in advance.

Don't even think about Starbucks on Gulangyu Island. There are no cars on this island, and you can't take Didi or taxis. So even though it's a small island, you still have to rely on your two feet. There are so many side roads, and it's quite tiring to walk around.

As far as the naked eye can see, the environment on Gulangyu Island is a painting in any photo. It is very peaceful. There are no wide asphalt roads with cars rushing by with exhaust fumes. There are no high-rise buildings reflecting light everywhere. There are only red bricks and green tiles. . . Green coconut trees, blue beaches, golden sand, melodious piano music and gentle bird calls.

Gulangyu is also one of the must-see attractions. Because it was off-season when I went there, there were not so many people. Buy the ferry ticket in advance when you go there. Follow "Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd." on WeChat and buy the ticket. However, there was no sun on the day I went there, so the weather was okay, a little cloudy~

According to the old people on the island, the current Gulangyu Island has changed a lot from the Gulangyu Island ten years ago. Ten years ago, it was just a quiet seaside island, but ten years later, it has become a tourist and commercial mecca for Internet celebrities to check in.

In fact, compared with the current Gulangyu, I prefer the island that was not well-known ten years ago. It retains the original life track of the islanders, which makes people feel the customs of the islanders more.

Take your time to visit Sunlight Rock, HSBC Mansion, Shuzhuang Garden, Piano Museum and other scenic spots hahahaha

Less than half an hour later, we arrived at the Sanqiutian Wharf on Gulangyu Island. Looking at the well-arranged buildings in front of me, I had a very good first impression of Gulangyu Island. Looking back at the downtown area of ​​Xiamen, it seemed to be right in front of me, as if there was a river between me and Gulangyu Island. I didn’t know that even though it was so close, we were still across the sea! The buildings in the distance that looked like two kitchen knives were the Shimao Straits Buildings, also known as the Xiamen Twin Towers.

The dazzling sunlight shines through the gaps between the branches and leaves, adding a lot of vitality to the lush old tree.

Refreshing and natural, with many trees, Gulangyu always gives people a fresh and beautiful feeling. Later, we wandered around as we pleased. Basking in the sun, we spent an afternoon leisurely on the reefs beside the Gulangyu beach.

If you have enough energy, walking around Gulangyu is the best way. You can aimlessly walk through the streets. Some streets that are not tourist attractions are empty. Covered with dense green vegetation, if you don't think carefully, you will think you are in a narrow and leisurely street in Europe.

If you use your feet to measure this island, you will find that there are many exquisitely decorated shops on the island, which are filled with cards, refrigerator magnets, picture books related to Gulangyu...

Gulangyu is also an excellent place for wedding photography. Walking around Gulangyu, you can see couples everywhere recording the happiest moments of their lives...

Transportation: Take a boat from Xiagu Wharf to Sanqiutian Wharf on Gulangyu Island. The round trip fare is 35 yuan. You can swipe your ID card to get off at Xiagu Wharf or the cruise terminal. The cruise terminal is very close to Zhongshan Road.

I love Gulangyu, this literary and romantic island!

It's a great place to retire! There are scenery everywhere, a road, a house, a turn, and you can take a great photo with just a click. There are feelings everywhere, and you won't be bored no matter how you walk. There is no route, just go wherever you want. I just want to go to the highest place.

The island is full of slopes and it is difficult to walk. It is recommended to book a hotel near the pier to save energy. The shops on the snack street on the island are so welcoming. They are all free to taste. There are waiters handing out food at the door, and they really feed it into your mouth. Haha, you will be full after being fed all the way.

Every building on the island has its own history. This island is blessed with many talented people, such as Lin Yutang, Lin Qiaozhi, Xu Feiping, Ma Youhan... There are many celebrities from various fields, as well as various buildings from the World Expo. I hope to find some free time in the future to stay here for a few more days.

I don't know when it came from, but Gulangyu seems to have become synonymous with Xiamen. A visit to Gulangyu is a must when visiting Xiamen. Every road here is rich and exquisite. The international buildings built on the mountainside in the east and the garden courtyards complement each other. In the west, there are ancient temples under the century-old banyan trees and sparsely populated woods and beaches. The red bricks and green tiles, the tall and wide window railings, and every brick, tile, wood and stone that have been caressed by time always exude a warm and unique charm.

It is recommended to buy the boat ticket to Gulangyu Island online in advance to avoid queuing at the ticket window. You can follow the official account of "Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd.". The ticket price is 35 yuan/person. There are four piers on Gulangyu Island: Neicuoao Pier, Sanqiutan Pier, Cargo Pier, and Piano Pier. Sanqiutan Pier is near the most prosperous food street on Gulangyu Island, while Neicuoao Pier is closest to the beach. It is recommended that girls must not wear high heels, because everything on Gulangyu Island depends on legs, and goods are pulled by hand on carts.

Gulangyu is one of the must-take photos in Xiamen, but with more and more tourists, many people are deterred from visiting it. As for Gulangyu, as long as you take the right path, there are surprises in every place, from the moment you board the ship to the island, the sound of people, the sound of the whistle, the sound of the ferry gate opening, the sound of the waves, the sound of the fishing boats...

When all the sounds are intertwined together, the prelude to life on Gulangyu Island officially begins.

As soon as we got off the boat at Neicuoao Pier, we started to run wild. There was not a single motor vehicle on the entire island, nor were there high-rise buildings made of reinforced concrete. There were only lush trees, quiet paths, villa courtyards, and the sound of waves...

If you walk along the island and listen carefully, you will find that Gulangyu has been changing its sound at every moment, in different weather conditions, with high and low tides, and whether it is sunny or cloudy during the day or at night. When I met it again six years later, I felt more intimate, but the sun seemed to be too shy to see me!

When the weather is bad, it is recommended to walk around the alleys on Gulangyu Island. You will have different gains. Here are a few photo spots recommended to everyone. It is better for tourists to take fewer photos. Go straight from the beach and you will reach Ganghou Road. The stairs here have a fresh feel and you can pose for photos as much as you want.

Going up along Ganghou Road, you will reach Huangyan Road. The big banyan trees here have great charm. The hundreds-year-old trunks are like upright spines and pillars supporting the roof. Under the sunlight, the dark and light shadows are distinct, and the thickness of the interlaced light and dark shadows has witnessed all the spring scenery in the world and experienced the ups and downs of life, like a thick book.

Xiamen locals and outsiders do not use the same ferry to get to the island. Locals take the boat in a straight line, while outsiders take the boat in a circle. It is cheaper for locals than for outsiders.

Because the boat was at 8:20 in the morning, we arrived at the island quite early. There were not too many people at that time. We walked around the island and looked at the stylish buildings and tropical plants. It felt very refreshing.

The cats on Gulangyu Island are very melancholy and artistic, with their eyes fixed straight ahead and no one knows what they are looking at. There are a lot of fish balls on Gulangyu Island, and they taste really good, very chewy and bouncy, and you can't taste the starchy taste, very delicious.

Walking on Gulangyu Island, some beautiful tropical plants constantly remind passers-by that this is Xiamen, in the south.

There are many red brick and red tile buildings on Gulangyu Island, which are quiet and beautiful.

The most beautiful corner is really hard to take photos! Because there are buildings all around, there are always shadows. After waiting for a long time, the sunlight still can't penetrate, so I can only make do with it. In post-production, I can't make the dark part too bright, and there are always bifurcated lines. And there are really many people coming and going, so it's really not easy to wait for this scene!

There are only pedestrian roads on Gulangyu Island, and there are such road signs everywhere, which is quite convenient.

The best way to travel Gulangyu is to slow down and stop along the way!

For example, touch the ancient city walls and feel the vicissitudes of history.

I was impressed by the wild cats on Gulangyu Island, but I was also most impressed by the snacks, such as shark balls, meat jerky, Ye's glutinous rice cakes, shacha noodles, etc. Gulangyu Island is the place where we stayed the longest on this trip, and it is also the favorite place of Lily and Huhu. The island has a pleasant climate and a wide variety of snacks, which are quite exquisite. It is the first choice for foodies. It is a walking island with no cars or bicycles on the island. It was successfully applied for World Heritage in 2017 and became the 52nd World Heritage Project in China.

Gulangyu Island is located on the other side of the Lujiang River in Xiamen. Because the residents on the island love music and most families have pianos, it is also known as the "Piano Island". The island is picturesque and evergreen all year round. Because many wealthy businessmen built villas on the island in the past, many Western-style buildings were left behind. Gulangyu Island is a must-visit place when you come to Xiamen. I suggest that you try to roam around and experience the tranquility.

I have been to Gulangyu many times. My feeling about it was that I thought of it as a tourist attraction at first, but the experience was not good after the performance. The main reason was commercialization and there were too many tourists on the island. My impression of it was not very good. Later, as I spent more time in Xiamen, I gradually changed my perception of it to a place similar to a leisure park. On weekend evenings or at night, I went to the island with my wife without rushing or checking in at a certain attraction. I walked around, felt the sea breeze, watched the sunset, and listened to the sound of waves hitting the shore. It was pretty good. Gulangyu originally gave people a feeling of being a small literary and fresh petty bourgeoisie. It had to be tied to a large number of commercial behaviors and crowds of people, and naturally lost its original flavor. In this way, I gradually found the right way to open Gulangyu for me, and my memories of this place also changed from bitter to sweet. . .

There is a minefield here. Don't just go to any random seafood restaurant on the island. Because it's really a pit. After talking about the minefield, it's beautiful~ You must eat snacks when you go to Gulangyu! Eat whatever you want!

Oyster omelette is so delicious!!! Fish balls are also super delicious!! Mango juice is also thick and delicious!! Gulangyu is really not big, and we have already walked around a lot on the first afternoon. So we didn't want to go to the tour group to check in the scenic spots, so in order not to be bored, we bought the joint ticket of the five major scenic spots in Gulangyu and planned to check in the scenic spots by the way. The joint ticket can be bought at China-TravelNote, about 90 yuan per person, and you can enter the park by swiping your ID card. In the early morning, the first thing before checking the scenic spots is to go to the most beautiful corner! Because there were really too many people the afternoon before!! Avoid the peak of the flow of people and check in happily~ Gulangyu has five major scenic spots. The scenery along the way is the most beautiful. Old houses and small streets, fresh and cute small villas, and the "most beautiful corner" that is not popular but more beautiful. The most favorite summer is the wall with sunlight shining through the mottled shadows of trees. The surprise or disappointment at this moment is not important, because the next second, it will become an interesting moment that will never be repeated.

You can take a ferry directly to Gulangyu Island from the ferry terminal near Zhongshan Road. Many people say that the tickets will be sold out on the day, but it turns out that if you don't come during a national holiday like May Day or National Day, the tickets will not be sold out at all.

I personally think you can just buy it at the pier. Gulangyu Island is very quiet at night. It feels especially suitable for young couples to have a tryst here. The dim lights are quiet, and the simple and ancient streets make people deeply feel a kind of atmosphere as if they have returned to the Republic of China era. The faint sound of the waves makes the night even more beautiful.

Maybe it's because of the business cycle. At night, most of the shops on Gulangyu Island are closed. Only some small restaurants, bars and food stalls are still open.

It has to be said that Gulangyu is literary and quiet. Although this island is not big, there are no modern motor vehicles, no industry, and no factories on the island. Everyone lives in the most ancient way. In the alternating period of the 18th and 19th centuries, this place once experienced the invasion of the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese army. After the development of the Republic of China, there are many former sites of consulates of various countries on this island. Because of these historical accumulations, Gulangyu is now also called the Museum of International Architecture by many people.

Here, every walkway in the streets and alleys looks particularly ancient. Gray walls covered with vines, towering red roofs, various old European-style buildings... It's like traveling back to the Republic of China period.

Gulangyu is the most famous attraction in Xiamen. It is very close to the city, but you need to take a ferry to get to the island. The ferry to Gulangyu can be booked in advance, and you can choose the time to go to the island. There are many distinctive buildings on the island, most of which are a combination of Chinese and Western styles. They are basically built by overseas Chinese and foreign consulates. There are also some museums on the island, which are relatively niche. It is best to buy a combined ticket, which is very cost-effective. The island is basically a pedestrian street with a lot of shops. Some of them are still very literary, but now the commercial atmosphere on the island is too strong, which is criticized by tourists.

Walking into the island is like entering a literary maze isolated from the outside world. Surrounded by quiet paths and artistic buildings, I envy the people who live here, but I can't bear to break their tranquility and beauty. The simple and enthusiastic residents on the island and the pleasant B&Bs make you wander aimlessly without feeling tired.

📣 I booked a ferry ticket to Gulangyu Island at 12:50 one day in advance. During the peak season, it is recommended that you book the ticket a few days in advance, otherwise you won’t be able to book a good time.

📣It is best to buy tickets at "Sanqiutian Pier" when you go to the island. When you arrive at the pier, turn right and you will find the "most beautiful corner" check-in point.

Gulangyu belongs to Xiamen City, Fujian Province. It is located in the southwest corner of Xiamen Peninsula. It faces Xiamen Peninsula across the sea, separated by a 600-meter-wide Lujiang River. It can be reached by ferry in 4.5 minutes. (It takes about 40 minutes to circle the island now.) It covers an area of ​​1.91 square kilometers and has a population of more than 20,000. It is now under the jurisdiction of Siming District. The island has a pleasant climate, spring-like weather all year round, no traffic noise, birds singing and flowers blooming. It is known as the "Garden on the Sea". The island has a collection of many classical pianos that are refreshing and elegant, which has earned it the reputation of "Piano Island".

Gulangyu Tourist Area is the main component of the national scenic spot Gulangyu-Wanshishan Scenic Area. It consists of Gulangyu Island and tourist attractions such as Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, Piano Museum, and Hundred Birds Garden. It has become a well-known tourist area in my country for its unique natural and cultural landscapes.

Gulangyu was originally named "Yuanshazhou", also known as "Yuanzhouzi", and was renamed "Gulangyu" in the Ming Dynasty. There is a reef more than two meters high with a cave in the southwest beach of the island. Whenever the tide rises, the waves hit the reef, making a sound like beating a drum, so people call it "Gulangshi", and Gulangyu got its name from this. The streets of Gulangyu are short, crisscrossed, clean and quiet, with fresh air. The island is full of lush trees and colorful flowers, especially the red tiles of the small buildings and the green trees, which are particularly beautiful.

The boat ticket to Gulangyu Island was booked 5 days in advance, which was very convenient. Because there were a lot of people, you need to queue up for the boat. It is recommended to arrive at the dock one hour in advance to wait. Today is not a weekend or a holiday, but there are still many people going to the island, including many tour groups, many couples, and many people who want to take wedding photos on the island. Gulangyu Island, this romantic place, makes everyone full of expectations.

After dinner, it was getting dark, so we walked around the small streets. It was around 6 or 7 o'clock, and there were not many people on the streets. Some small shops were closed. It was very quiet. There were only a few tourists on the street. There were many small roads on Gulangyu Island.

Gulangyu Island is also very quiet when we get up early. We went out for breakfast around 7 o'clock. Many shops were not open yet and there were still few people on the road. There were a few small stalls in front of the B&B calling tourists to have breakfast. I found that the prices on Gulangyu Island are indeed relatively high when I had dinner yesterday.

The whole island is full of literary, romantic and fresh styles. Everywhere is a good place to take photos. The roads on Gulangyu are not easy to find, and the scenery is similar everywhere.

There are many delicious foods, many Internet celebrity shops, Zhang Sanfeng milk tea, Turkish ice cream, etc. The fruit is of course the big mango. The mangoes in Xiamen are big and sweet. Gulangyu food recommends Shen's rice noodle rolls, Ye's glutinous rice cakes, handmade fish balls, and big mangoes. It was a little cool at the seaside at night. It was cloudy when I got up early today. Gulangyu is a small island, not very big.

I really like the coconut trees here. I heard from the tree trimmer that these big coconut trees have been sterilized for viewing and do not bear coconuts.

There were many vendors selling peeled mangoes along the way, 5 yuan each, they were so delicious. We ate a lot of mangoes along the way.

Of the five major scenic spots on Gulangyu Island, the best ones are Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden. The entire Gulangyu Island is full of scenery. The island is not very big, and you can visit almost everything in a day. It is also recommended to stay on the island for a night to feel the night atmosphere of this island. It is also very convenient to get up early and go directly to Sunlight Rock.

We took a boat back to Xiamen Island. It was around 6pm, which should be the peak time for returning to Xiamen Island. There were so many people and it was very crowded when boarding the boat. If possible, I suggest you avoid this time. If you can't, you must take your things and pay attention to safety. Fortunately, the boat was very fast when we went back and arrived soon.

Now I finally set foot on this beautiful island, and the vast sea around Gulangyu lingers in my mind... Every place on the island is a picturesque scenery.

I bought a map and a souvenir album with great fanfare, but the map is actually of little use. Gulangyu is not big and you can get around it by following the alleys and the flow of people.

The early morning on Gulangyu Island is a little lazy and gentle, and we need to slowly and carefully appreciate its romance and beauty.

We spent the whole morning enjoying our slow time on Gulangyu Island. We went to the other end of the island, walking and looking for the most beautiful path. Every street was super beautiful, and the corners were full of bright flowers. Needless to say, the buildings on the island have the customs and characteristics of various countries. Every shot taken by the camera can be made into a postcard!

If Xiamen is beautiful, then Gulangyu Island is undoubtedly the highlight.

There are beautiful scenery and culture. There are many eye-catching buildings and undulating roads. There are 20 modern buildings on Gulangyu Island, which are national key cultural relics protection units. In its heyday, it was once China's top luxury residential area.

Once a place where local people lived, it has now become more and more of a pure commercial tourist destination. The streets are filled with the smell of grilled squid and skewers. For tourism development, original ecology and over-commercialization are always a very contradictory proposition.

It is said that Gulangyu is a natural aristocrat, but its aristocratic atmosphere can perhaps only be glimpsed from the piano sounds that come from the island from time to time. The former splendor has disappeared amid the crowds of tourists today.

The ownership of a large number of old houses is extremely complicated and unclear. Many houses are no longer private property and are not maintained or maintained. All owners use them maliciously. The mansions that have been well protected for hundreds of years have fallen into decay in just three or five decades. The community nature of Gulangyu is constantly declining.

But no matter what, the petty-bourgeois atmosphere of Gulangyu can still be seen everywhere.

There are many homestays on Gulangyu Island. It is highly recommended that you spend two days to explore Gulangyu Island and stay on the island for one day.

Otherwise, you will be like me, running wildly and sweating in Gulangyu, but you don’t really feel it. Not only did you miss many scenic spots, but you also didn’t study the stories of each house carefully.

I took the earliest boat to the island, simply because I hoped there would be fewer people and I wanted to arrive before the tour groups arrived.

Facts have proved that there are really few people if you go early, just like Nanluoguxiang in the early morning. Apart from some local elderly people doing morning exercises or cooking breakfast, there are very few tourists walking around. I still quite like Gulangyu in the early morning.

But I have to say that I didn't expect Gulang Island to be so big, and there are a lot of ups and downs, which is really a bit tiring. The day I chose was relatively cloudy and the sun was not very strong, otherwise it would be really hot.

I bought a combined ticket for the five major scenic spots on Gulangyu Island. Oh, by the way, it’s really a great deal to book the tickets on China-TravelNote and then use the honey to deduct them.

I have been there twice, both times when I went to the island without paying. The last time was a long time ago. There are many tourists, but if you can find some secluded alleys, it is still very interesting. The buildings are mainly modern small Western buildings. There are not many single buildings to see, but the overall environment is unique in China. The sea is still not blue enough, it is too close to the mainland.

How can you not visit Gulangyu when you come to Xiamen? Gulangyu is almost synonymous with tourism in Xiamen, so much so that Gulangyu has begun to limit the number of tourists. Fortunately, it is not the peak tourist season in Xiamen yet, so you can still go to the island if you buy a ticket on the day. If you go to the island during the peak season, you may not be able to buy a boat ticket a few days in advance.

Gulangyu is indeed very beautiful. As soon as I walked out of the pier, I was immediately struck by the island atmosphere. I fell in love with this place instantly. No wonder Gulangyu is so popular. Gulangyu is not big, and you don’t need any guide. You can just wander around as you like, and you will always find a place you like.

There are old classic buildings on Gulangyu Island and new modern buildings on the other side of the bay. This is Xiamen.

Personally, I recommend visiting Sunlight Rock, as the other attractions are not that interesting.

Gulangyu is a place that you can visit in a short time. It is a comfortable and fresh place in general, and the architecture is very retro. The villa is suitable for taking European wedding photos, and you can take some photos on the road to create a Japanese style. There are many old villas, B&Bs and hotels, which are beautifully decorated and are especially suitable for taking retro private photos. I am tempted, but there are no models.

In the summer of 2013, I took a plane for the first time. Maybe it was because of obsession. Although I came to Xiamen University, I knew that Gulangyu was more famous. Many young artists praised it. At that time, I heard that Gulangyu was a place where you could see romance and love.

There are more than 300 streets and lanes on Gulangyu Island. Walking on this small island, you will be inexplicably filled with the atmosphere of literature and art. You will want to go into every small shop on the street to explore it. They have different personalities and temperatures. The owner of each shop is a dreamer, very cool, creating countless possibilities.

That year, my good friend and I ran through every street in Gulangyu Island, just to stamp commemorative stamps on the beautiful little notebooks. Almost all the Internet celebrity stores have exclusive stamps at the door. Although it was silly to do this, when I accidentally opened the little notebook at the bottom of the drawer, all kinds of patterns suddenly brought back the lost memories in my mind, bit by bit, which was really a surprise.

The old villas and old courtyards that can be seen everywhere make people want to relax immediately, sit here and daydream quietly, like an old Xiamen person, put everything aside, and feel the morning and night of Gulangyu Island with their heart.

Many local homestays are located in old villas. Staying a night here is better than any hotel. There is no hustle and bustle of the night, only the pure sea breeze and tranquility.

Island sightseeing bus route: Gulangyu's ring road is 6 kilometers long and consists of roads, tunnels, and curved bridges. It is accessible by electric vehicles.

Island Route:

Route 1: Ferry Terminal - Haoyue Garden - Dadeji Bathing Beach - Guanhai Garden - Shuzhuang Garden - Gangzaihou Bathing Beach - Yingxiongshan Tunnel - Gulang Stone - Gulang Villa - Huaqiao Subtropical Plant Introduction Garden - Arts and Crafts School - Neicuoao - Yanwei Mountain - Sanqiutian Tourist Terminal - Underwater World - Ferry Terminal;

Route 2: Ferry Terminal - Sanqiutian Terminal - Beach Court, Academy of Arts and Crafts - Gulang Villa - Shuzhuang Garden - Ferry Terminal;

Route 3: Ferry Terminal-Shuzhuang Garden.

It should be noted that you should book your tickets at least 1-2 days in advance. There is only Sanqiutan Pier on Gulangyu Island at night, and Neicuoao Pier is closed at night.

The morning in Gulangyu is very beautiful, and there are few tourists! I took an unusual route, from Longtou Road, a route not often taken by tourists on Gulangyu, and went directly up the mountain to some scenic spots on the mountain. I played a time difference with ordinary tourists. At this time, most people had not arrived at these spots yet, so there were relatively few people.

I took photos along the way, and basically didn’t visit any famous attractions, but I toured Gulangyu Island in two hours~

As smart as I am, I booked a ferry on WeChat half a month before coming to Xiamen. When I got to the ferry, there were a lot of tourists during the long vacation.

There are no other vehicles on Gulangyu Island except for a few sightseeing electric cars. Walking on the island is very interesting. Let's enjoy the European architecture of Gulangyu Island while walking! You can also stroll along the streets and see the towering ancient banyan trees and the flowers blooming in the corners.

You can explore the entire island of Gulangyu in about 5 hours. However, to truly experience the essence of Gulangyu, it is recommended to stay on the island for at least one night.

The scenery on the island is really beautiful and very suitable for taking photos

Gulangyu now has a strong commercial atmosphere, and the hawking has replaced the melodious piano music, which is always a bit unbearable. But the scenery of Gulangyu is still beautiful!

With famous buildings, beautiful scenery and excellent religious culture, Gulangyu has a very rich cultural atmosphere and its beauty is beyond words.

Be sure to make an appointment in advance and buy tickets in advance!!!

There are many internet-famous shops on the island, and Su Xiaotang is especially worth mentioning, mainly because the decoration and furnishings of the shop are so girly!!!

There is no specific route, just walk around, enjoy, feel and relax, which should be the most comfortable state of travel. Walking through the streets and alleys, there are small scenes of literature and art everywhere.

The island is full of bougainvilleas in full bloom, and most of them are of this color, which makes it a pleasure to take pictures on a sunny day.

There are many villas on Gulangyu Island, and the “International Museum” is not built on its own.

After seeing the Bund in Shanghai and the Slender Waist in Guangdong, the night view here doesn't seem to be that amazing. Maybe Xiamen is not meant to be amazing.

There are five major attractions on Gulangyu Island: Sunlight Rock (including Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall and Qin Garden), Shuzhuang Garden (including Piano Museum), Haoyue Garden, International Engraving Museum, and Organ Museum. There are some points worth seeing in the five major attractions, but it is not recommended that you spend all your time on them! You can save money and time by "taking the essence and discarding the dross". If you stay in Gulangyu Island for one night, it is especially not recommended to buy a package ticket, because the package ticket can only visit five attractions on the same day, which is too tiring.

During the daytime stroll on Gulangyu Island, although the commercial center is noisy, the alleys are quiet. What impressed me most on the island is the Haitiantang structure of southern Fujian culture and the characteristic villas in the quiet alleys.

As a tourist attraction, Gulangyu actually didn't live up to my expectations, but as a living area, it is enviable and touching. Because here there is not only history, but also culture and life. On this island of international architecture, many people still live in houses built more than a hundred years ago. Unlike many other scenic spots, the original inhabitants have not moved away, leaving only the hustle and bustle of business.

Take a boat at Xiagu Passenger Transport Terminal. I live on Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street. You can get off at the terminus of bus No. 51 there. You can buy boat tickets in advance or at the terminal, but you must go early. If you forget, you probably have to book online in advance. I went there in mid-November, and there were a lot of people. I arrived at the terminal at around 9 o'clock, and there were no tickets before 11 o'clock. I bought a ticket at 11:30 and got off at Neicuoao Terminal. There is no difference between the two terminals, because Gulangyu is not big, and one day is enough to play, and the two terminals are not far away. When I went back, I got off at the Zhongshan Road terminal. When I came here, they didn't sell money there, but only sold it to citizens. So friends who want to come to Gulangyu must take a boat at Xiagu Terminal, which is also the cruise center terminal.

The main attractions include Sunlight Rock, Organ Museum, etc. You can stroll in the quiet alleys or sunbathe on the beach; you can see Chinese and foreign buildings with different styles, as well as the natural scenery where scholars and writers wrote poems; you can taste the most authentic Xiamen traditional snacks, and find literary and fresh creative shops.

No matter how time passes, Gulangyu still maintains its own rhythm. No matter how many tourists come and how full the ferries are, it still retains its due tranquility and elegance, as well as the silent nights with only the sound of the waves.

There are many tourists visiting Gulangyu Island, and I also saw some companies doing team building on the beach.

There are many people who go to Gulangyu to take photos, especially wedding photos and portrait photos.

Although Gulangyu is now very commercial and prices are a bit high, it still retains its unique flavor.

There are many delicious foods in Gulangyu, but I haven’t tried all of them.

這裡有很多洋房，很多藝術家都會來這裡。我住的青年旅社環境不好，一進去有動物的味道，位置有點偏僻。我在這裡4天，遇到3次搶劫，都是同一夥人，很可怕。只能說自己運氣不好，被盯上了。畢竟這裡觀光客多，大家還是謹慎點。

If you go to Xiamen and don’t go to Gulangyu Island, it’s like you haven’t been to this city. I have different feelings every time I come here. The scenery on the island is quite beautiful, with various small shops, which is very suitable for young and old people to play. The food on the island is also good, and the street view photography is also very stylish. There are many newlyweds taking wedding photos on the island. In short, it is highly recommended and a place you will not regret.

To go to Gulangyu Island, you must buy the boat ticket online a few days in advance. For tourists, there are two routes, one is from Dongdu International Cruise Terminal to Sanqiutian Terminal, and the other is from Dongdu International Cruise Terminal to Neicuoao Terminal. Most tourists and tour groups take the former route. I personally recommend the latter route, which is the best way to avoid the crowds.

The residential areas on Gulangyu Island are actually particularly fun to visit.

The unknown pier on Gulangyu Island is also full of interesting little surprises.

Gulangyu Island is one of the famous scenic spots in China. As for how to enjoy this scenic spot, different people have different opinions.

In my opinion, the charm of Gulangyu Island does not lie in those few scenic spots, nor in those Internet celebrity shops on the island. The most attractive thing about Gulangyu Island is the absence of motor vehicles, the tranquility under the towering ancient trees, the humanistic atmosphere brought by the large number of red-roofed ancient buildings, and the strolling experience like a paradise. So when we came to Gulangyu Island this time, we only wanted to see the Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden, and we would not spend a lot of time stamping at the door of various stores. We spent a lot of time looking for places with few people on the island to stroll, cherishing this hard-won tranquility, and really giving ourselves a vacation.

Wandering aimlessly on the island and taking photos of the strange plants and buildings is the best way for us to travel in Gulangyu.

Gulangyu, a shining pearl inlaid in the southwest waters of Xiamen, attracts the attention of countless domestic and foreign tourists with its unique charm. It is not only a geographical name, but also a symbol of culture, a witness of history, and a habitat of romance and poetry in the hearts of countless people.



Gulangyu, formerly known as "Yuanshazhou", was named "Gulangyu" because there was a reef in the southwest of the island. Whenever the tide rose, the waves hit the reef, making a sound like beating drums. People called it "Gulangyu". It has a long history and has been inhabited since the Song Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it became a coastal defense fortress and an important port for foreign trade. The island retains a large number of architectural styles that combine Chinese and Western styles, from the quaint red brick houses in southern Fujian to the elegant European villas. Every brick and tile tells a story of the past, making people feel as if they have traveled back to that turbulent era.

Gulangyu is a unique island located about 500 meters southwest of Xiamen City, Fujian Province.

Gulangyu was developed in the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty. During the 100 years from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, as Xiamen was one of the important foreign trade ports opened in Fujian Province in the early days, it was influenced by diverse cultures from southern China, Western countries, and Asian countries.

The island has completely preserved the overall spatial structure, environmental elements and historical buildings of the international public community during the period of the International Settlement. The complete development process has witnessed the historical transformation of the traditional society into a new social form by integrating modern public facilities. On July 8, 2017, "Gulangyu Historic International Community" was listed as a World Cultural Heritage.

There are more than 1,000 buildings of various styles built on the island from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. The architectural styles are diverse, including the three major column styles of ancient Greece: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, Roman columns, Gothic spires, Islamic domes, Baroque reliefs, etc. It is known as the "gathering place of architecture from all over the world."

Sunlight Rock is the highest peak on Gulangyu Island and an excellent place to overlook the entire Gulangyu Island and the city of Xiamen.

Gulangyu Island is across the sea from Xiamen Island, and ferries run between the two islands 24 hours a day. During the Qing Dynasty, various institutions in China and returned overseas Chinese built various courtyards on Gulangyu Island. As a quiet island at that time, Gulangyu Island also has various musical elements, such as the Piano Museum and the Organ Museum.

Although it is criticized by many people, it is still the most classic place in Xiamen. There are beautiful villas and red flowers and green trees. It is very comfortable to walk around and eat and drink in the sea breeze. It is enough to spend most of the day on the island. It is more suitable to stay on the island for a day. However, couples who have been to Gulangyu have broken up, hahahaha.

It has a unique architectural style and a strong European flavor. Strolling through the alleys on the island, you can admire the beautiful colored walls and exquisite details, and enjoy a pleasant slow pace. There are also many scenic spots on the island, such as Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden and the seaside bathing beach. You can sunbathe on the beach on the island, eat snacks or relax in a cafe. Gulangyu is a charming place.

Gulangyu became the "Island of Music" on the day when it was officially named by the Chinese Music Association. Gulangyu has an area of ​​only 1.83 square kilometers, but the number of pianos per capita is higher than any other region in China.

Gulangyu is Xiamen's business card, with many historical sites, inscriptions left by celebrities, and many museums. The most beautiful is the concept of Shuzhuang Garden, which complements the mountains and hides the sea. What makes people remember most is Zheng Chenggong's determination and courage to fight against the Japanese invaders and defend the country.

From June 19, 2022 to August 31, 2022, the core attractions on Gulangyu Island (Sunlight Rock Garden, Haoyue Garden, Organ Museum)

International Calligraphy Art Museum) is free of charge. So friends who want to go to Gulangyu should go as soon as possible!



The Bagua Tower on Gulangyu Island has been under renovation since August 21, with a construction period of one year. I doubt whether it can be completed on schedule. After all, it is the summer of 22 when I write this article, and I haven’t heard of any news about its opening.



For arrival and departure from Gulangyu Island, both are by ferry. For the choice of ferry, please refer to the official WeChat public account of Xiamen Ferry Company, which contains detailed timetables for each terminal.



Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island, so you basically have to rely on your two feet. It is recommended to wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes.



If you want to stay in Gulangyu Island, it is recommended to choose an old house and avoid the Longtou Road area as that area is too noisy.



It is recommended to stay in Gulangyu for 2 to 3 days.

On the first day, I walked aimlessly on the island, stopping and starting at will, strolling leisurely like a resident.

On the second day, choose a few attractions that interest you and explore them in depth.

There are many lyrics walls like this on Gulangyu Island, which are great for taking photos. The most famous one is probably Jay Chou's Sunny Sky Wall, but I'm not his fan, so I don't have the patience to queue up to take photos.

Walking in the alleys of Gulangyu, this is an island with very local characteristics. Although it has been commercialized, the architectural style still retains the unique characteristics of a fishing island. Sometimes the mobile phone map navigation is not very useful here, because the roads here are all winding, and sometimes there are two roads with the same name, which is really confusing.

Gulangyu, named "Wulongyu" in the Southern Song Dynasty, was renamed "Gulangyu" in the Ming Dynasty. It faces Xiamen Shimao Straits Tower and Xiamen University on Xiamen Island across the sea. In 2007, Gulangyu was officially approved as a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Gulangyu was selected as "the first of the five most beautiful urban areas in China" by National Geographic Magazine. In 2017, Gulangyu International Historic Community was listed as a World Heritage Site, becoming China's 52nd World Heritage Site.

Gulangyu is a small island. You need to take a boat to get there, so remember to buy tickets in advance. Of course, you can also find a local photographer to take pictures. I found one that day, see the information in the picture.

Gulangyu is a world cultural heritage and one of the five most beautiful urban areas in China. The main attractions include Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Haoyue Garden, Yu Garden, Gulangyu Piano Museum, Yu Garden, Catholic Church, etc. The best time to visit Gulangyu is in the early morning and at night. You must stay for 1-2 days when you come to Gulangyu to appreciate its unique charm. In particular, it is amazing to watch the sunrise on the beach near Haoyue Garden.

Gulangyu is the symbol of Xiamen tourism. You can board the ship at the cruise center, Xiagu Wharf, and go to Sanqiutian Wharf on Gulangyu. You may not be able to find all the villas on the island, but you must visit Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden. If you are tired and hungry, you must try the food on Longtou Road.

Gulangyu Island is indeed a national-level tourist attraction. You know, my sister and I chose this island and went there on a normal weekday, Monday. We never expected that after arriving on the island, we would have to queue up to take photos at the first popular spot at the corner. Although there were only three or four girls in the front taking photos, this kind of childish level is much better than the crowded ones in various travel notes. It still makes me sigh at the high status of Gulangyu Island and even the whole of Xiamen as scarce resources.

Gulangyu is just enough for a day of fun, and you must stroll around leisurely, visit the modern Western buildings scattered all over the island, and look at the architectural design from an aesthetic perspective. It is very interesting.

Gulangyu belongs to Xiamen City, Fujian Province. It is located in the southwest corner of Xiamen Peninsula. It faces Xiamen Peninsula across the sea, separated by a 600-meter-wide Lujiang River. It can be reached by ferry in 4.5 minutes. (It takes about 40 minutes to go around the island now.) It covers an area of ​​1.91 square kilometers and has a population of more than 20,000. It is now under the jurisdiction of Siming District. The island has a pleasant climate, spring-like weather all year round, no traffic noise, birds singing and flowers blooming, and is known as the "Garden on the Sea". The density of pianos on the island ranks first in the country, and the collection of many classical pianos is refreshing and elegant, which has earned it the reputation of "Piano Island".

Gulangyu was originally named "Yuanshazhou", also known as "Yuanzhouzi". It was renamed "Gulangyu" in the Ming Dynasty. There is a reef more than two meters high with a cave in the southwest beach of the island. Whenever the tide rises, the waves hit the reef, making a sound like beating a drum. People call it "Gulangshi", and Gulangyu got its name from this. Gulangyu has short streets, crisscrossing, clean and quiet, with fresh air. The island is full of green trees and colorful flowers, especially the red tiles of the small buildings and the green trees, which are particularly beautiful. It was selected as "the first of the five most beautiful urban areas in China" by National Geographic Magazine.

Although theoretically it is only 600 meters from Xiamen Island to Gulangyu Island, and the boat ride takes five minutes. But now this is a privilege for Gulangyu residents, and tourists can only take the boat from Xiamen International Cruise Center. There are ferries to Sanqiutian Wharf (east of Gulangyu Island, close to Xiamen Island), and there are ferries to Neicuoao Wharf, which is far away from Xiamen Island. It is strongly recommended to book the ferry ticket on the Xiamen Cruise Company website a few days in advance, otherwise you will only get the ferry to Neicuoao, or you will not be able to buy anything. For tourists who are still outside Xiamen Island, it is recommended to consider taking the ferry from Songyu Wharf in Haicang District to Neicuoao, where there are fewer people and it is easier to buy tickets. It also saves the traffic jam when entering Xiamen Island.

After going up to Sunlight Rock, overlooking Gulangyu Island and feeling the red-roofed International Architecture Expo and the new look of Xiamen, it is recommended that you just walk around casually and see endless scenery.

For more details, please refer to the detailed travel notes: http://www.mafengwo.cn/i/9268721.htm

Before I went to Xiamen, I had high expectations for Gulangyu Island. However, after I went there, I found that the so-called Gulangyu Island was no longer what it used to be.

I was disappointed by the touts and the stereotyped "features" everywhere. If you really want to experience it, I suggest not going there in the summer because it's really hot waiting for the ferry.

Actually, it was not as good as I imagined, probably because the weather was not very good when I went there. But I still felt very happy when I was on the cruise. The mangoes on the island were also very sour, so I just regarded it as paying an IQ tax (really, how can there be delicious mangoes during the Spring Festival?). I couldn't help but try the coastal specialty oyster omelette, which was a bit slippery and made my stomach a little uncomfortable. But the shacha noodles were not bad, the taste was subtle but acceptable.

After 7 years, I came to Gulangyu again. Actually, there are not many changes. But this time I feel more quiet and peaceful. First of all, the limit on the number of people makes Gulangyu more suitable for peak season travel. In addition to the most famous buildings on the island, there are various shops and inns. It is a little annoying to shout customers, but there is no fraud and it is a relatively mature tourism environment. It is recommended to prepare mosquito repellent spray in advance, as there will be more mosquitoes. It is very hot in summer and it is easy to sweat, so you can find some indoor activities to rest or visit. For example, the one I visited this time is called the Food Fantasy Museum. It is quite special. It is based on food and has made many photo-taking scenes. I have never seen such an exhibition hall in other places. It is fun and educational. It is especially suitable for parents and children, girlfriends, and couples. If you are interested, you can also go to other exhibition halls, such as wax museums, oceanariums, etc. In short, you must be prepared for sun protection, drink plenty of water, and mosquito repellent when you come to Gulangyu in summer.

It's a nice island with beaches, woods and beautiful buildings. But if you say it's very unique, I have to question it. At least I didn't see anything that I can remember. And the cost is not very economical, especially the Sunlight Rock. The price-performance ratio is too low. A day trip? It's completely enough.

I went to the island once more than ten years ago. At that time, the boat ride was free. Now it has become an Internet celebrity and is extremely popular. It is simply synonymous with Xiamen. It seems that there is no off-season all year round. However, the inn owner said that there are fewer people this year. In fact, there are still many tourists going to the island, but relatively fewer people staying on the island. It is best to stay for one night, because no matter how small the island is, you can't go around it in one day. Moreover, the off-season accommodation price is still acceptable. The price of food and accommodation is not much more expensive than Zengcuo'an as many people say, it is about the same.

A good place for taking photos. You can create many beautiful poses without buying a combined ticket, and you don’t need to look up guides to find the building complex. You can take great photos at any corner. If the sun is not too strong, be sure to go to the bathing beach. The recommended ticket attraction is Jizhuang Garden.

Come to Gulangyu for a day trip on the weekend and celebrate Children's Day.

I haven’t been to the island for a long time. When it’s time for dinner, I don’t know what to eat.

Let’s have some Minnan snacks.

I heard that Lin’s is an old brand that specializes in Minnan snacks.

The weather on June 1st was like a child, it rained heavily all of a sudden.

The store is not big, but it is full of people. It is healthier to squeeze in.

The indispensable snacks of southern Fujian include shacha noodles, roasted pork rice dumplings, and five-spice rolls. Come and try the flavors.

Signature Seafood Shacha Noodles: The shacha flavor is strong, and the addition of seafood makes the taste even fresher and more delicious.

Fish ball soup: The soup with seaweed is very delicious. The fish balls are very big. Be careful not to squirt out the juice when you bite into them.

Shacha meat skewers: You can try it. The shacha-flavored meat skewers are probably not available anywhere else.

PS.

Lin's Shacha Noodles (Gulangyu Fujian Road)

Address: No. 70 Fujian Road.

More than 10 years ago, the "Beautiful China" special issue of "National Geographic China" selected the most beautiful urban areas in China, and Gulangyu ranked first. On the first day in Xiamen, I was surprised that Gulangyu was so close to the main island across the narrow sea, and it was so small. But when I really walked around by myself, I walked from 7 o'clock in the morning to 7 o'clock in the evening, walked more than 35,000 steps, and basically did not turn back much, and I still felt unsatisfied. This ranking is indeed well-deserved.

The entire island can be roughly divided into five areas: east, west, south, north and center. The east is where the old neighborhoods and residential houses are concentrated; the south is several important independent small scenic spots (Haoyue Garden where the statue of Zheng Chenggong is seen, Shuzhuang Garden which includes the Piano Museum, the Engraving Museum, etc.); the west is mainly several beaches; the north is dominated by Yanwei Mountain and has relatively the least attractions; the central part is mainly Riguang Rock and Qin Garden, two important commanding heights of the entire island.

For tourists from other places, the main ways to get to the island are the Sanqiutian Wharf in the northeast corner and the Neicuoao Wharf in the northwest corner. I read in the guide that if you don't live on the island, it is recommended to go to the island early to experience the quiet island before the crowds come. So I chose Neicuoao Wharf because the early boat there is 20 minutes earlier than the earliest one in Sanqiutian. But later I found that I should still catch the early boat from Sanqiutian Wharf. Because I am most afraid that the crowds will affect the perception, it is mainly the old building areas in the east - such as the famous "most beautiful corner" and boat houses. In broad daylight, they are basically occupied by various wedding travel shoots, and tourists have to hold their cameras and mobile phones and line up to wait for a free time to shoot. The beaches in the west are not the main attractions, so it doesn't matter much if you go a little later.

So the best route I have personally summarized is: 1. Go to the island from Sanqiutan Wharf in the morning and visit the various old buildings in the east; 2. Then walk clockwise from east to west to see the statue of Zheng Chenggong in Haoyue Garden (the statue of Zheng Chenggong faces east, so it is also well lit if you go there in the morning), as well as the independent gardens in the south; 3. At noon, you can return from the south end to the central block to look for various special snacks, and then go to the beach in the west in the afternoon; 4. In the second half of the afternoon, go to Yanwei Mountain in the north to check in, and then slowly stroll from north to south along the middle ridge all the way to the middle; 5. Before dusk, go to Qinyuan to take a look, and finally go to Riguangyan to watch the sunset.

Finally, it is very important to go to Sunlight Rock!!! First of all, you can take pictures of the sunset, because the east of Gulangyu is Xiamen Island, with buildings and mountains, so it is not easy to take pictures of the sunrise, while the west has a relatively open sea suitable for taking pictures of the sunset; secondly, the old buildings on the island are basically on the east side. Standing on Sunlight Rock, you can overlook the buildings below and the skyline of Xiamen Island in the distance. It is better to go there in the afternoon to take pictures with the sun shining.

I would like to mention that the five attractions on the island that sell tickets separately (you can buy a combined ticket) are indeed not free: Sunlight Rock and Qin Garden are the first and second commanding heights, Haoyue Garden is for seeing the statue of Zheng Chenggong, Shuzhuang Garden is a rare classical garden by the sea, and the Piano and Organ Museum didn't feel much before I went there, but after I went there, I realized that Gulangyu has made a great contribution to modern Chinese music, which is also worth seeing. There are also many other celebrity residences and characteristic buildings. Although I walked for 12 hours once, I still missed some.

Gulangyu is famous for its name. I really like to wander around here and feel the special cultural atmosphere. Although I haven't listened to the music on the island, I have already connected Zheng Xiaoying's conductor with the Xiamen Orchestra in my heart. As the saying goes, "It's not the wine that makes you drunk, but the people who make you drunk are drunk themselves."

Gulangyu Island is a small island full of artistic atmosphere, where architecture is the form and music is the soul.