Descripcion

While not a "must see" destination, it has a number of attractions, an interesting history and is tourist friendly.
[edit] Understand

Until 1840, Western "barbarians" were allowed to trade only in Guangzhou, and only under strict controls. After China lost the First Opium War, Britain took Hong Kong and China was forced to open five "Treaty Ports": Guangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo and Shanghai.

In Xiamen, the island Gulang Yu became a foreign enclave with consulates and luxurious homes. Today it is a quiet area (no cars or motorcycles) and five minutes by ferry from downtown, and still quite scenic.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fujian was a focus of missionary activity. There are still many historic churches in the region.

In the 1970s, Xiamen was made a Special Economic Zone to encourage development. This has worked. Xiamen has more Taiwan investment than any other mainland city, partly because the Minnan dialect spoken around Xiamen is nearly identical to Taiwanese. There is also a major influx of other foreign investment.

It is not Shanghai or Hong Kong, but compared to many other cities in China, Xiamen is definitely a very vibrant, affluent and modern place.
[edit] Get in

Xiamen has an international airport, code XMN, conveniently close to downtown, 30-40 RMB and 20 minutes by taxi.

* If you are flying to Xiamen from North America, consider Korean Air. They offer great discounts, and the Seoul Airport is the most user-friendly on the planet (free internet, nice free lounges with couches to stretch out on.
* If you are coming from elsewhere, look for cheap flights direct to Xiamen from Singapore or Bangkok. see Discount airlines in Asia for more information.

There are also expected train and bus services of any major city. The train however, is not a good option for trips along the coast — for example to Fuzhou, Shantou or Hong Kong — because it takes a circuitous route through the mountains. For those destinations, use the bus.

Some bus times and costs:

* Quanzhou: 35 RMB, 1.5 hours
* Fuzhou: 70-90 RMB, 4 hours
* Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Zhuhai: around 300, overnight.
o There is a bus direct to Xiamen from Hong Kong airport.
o For trips to/from Hong Kong, try to choose a bus that goes all the way. With some tickets, you have to change busses at the Hong Kong - Shenzhen border.

You may come across references to a ferry service with Hong Kong. It no longer operates (as of November 2004).
[edit] Get around

Taxis are cheap and start at 8 yuan for the first 3 kilometers. The local bus system is very good, but the bus routes are listed in Mandarin and do not have English on them. Take the ferry to Gulangyu.
[edit] See

You could enjoy Xiamen's unique sceneries not only in the day but also in the night. Take a breather and walk beside the Yuandang lake in the evening and you could see how Xiamen transforms into a different setting - mushrooming lighted artistic sculptures, scent of the sea, and romantic lovers by the lake. Enjoy your stroll and notice that some residential and commercial buildings even have a "battle of the lights at night" (which is actually a battle of the business) - "simple" laser and light shows which attract attention - this is some form of an "advertisement" mostly by newly opened commercial buildings and some residentials to say that their business has opened or that business is ongoing as usual. When it's time for commercial businesses and residentials to close or "sleep" in the night, the simple lights attraction can't be seen anymore - this is one of those on-going efforts of the people on energy conservation. Be sure to see these places of interest, and see what are the differences viewing them during the day and night:

* Zhongshan road - see the yearly "facelifts" and notice that older buildings are becoming extinct and being replaced by modern ones
* The night markets - see how smaller businesses trade in the night.
* Public parks - are clean and set with greeneries.
* Yuandang lake - is mystical by day and magical by night, see how the egrets flock in the day and fly for home in the night.
* Bai Lu Zhou Park - a large and beautiful park. Go around 8:30 p.m. and enjoy the vendors, music, and dancing.

Xiamen is a most popular tourist city in Mainland China.
[edit] Buy

Check out the Xiamen Shopping A to Z section. Outside of China: http://amoymagic.com/shop.htm Within China: http://amoymagic.mts.cn/shop.htm
[edit] Eat

* There is a whole strip of cafes and bars along the lake next to the Marco Polo Hotel, more-or-less all with patios and/or balconies that give a view of the lake.
o Geo Geo Cafe, furthest from the hotel in that strip, serve good Italian and American food and coffee.
* On the side street off the lake by the hotel are several more places:
o Tutto Bene, a very good Italian place
o Javaroma, good coffee, run by an Aussie
* Local Chinese Restaurants
o Little Chili's offers excellent Chinese food at an affordable price. The menus are in Enlgish.

[edit] Drink
[edit] Sleep

Gulang Yu is the place to stay if you desire a peaceful and attractive environment. There are several home hotels on this island. Naya Home Hotel [1] is recommended if you are looking for complete relaxation and homey treatment.
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-range

* Gem Hotel, [2]. Beautiful Japanese-style rooms overlooking much of downtown Xiamen. Includes (Chinese) buffet breakfast and free (wired) Internet access. Most of the staff speak English well and are extremely helpful. From ¥140/night.

[edit] Splurge

* Lujiang Hotel is a grand old place, very central on Beach road, 100 metres North of the ferry station. The restaurant has excellent dim sum.
* Sheraton Xiamen Hotel is the latest international chain hotel to grace Xiamen's shores. It's very plush, and the Waves Pan Asian buffet is excellent.
* Sofitel Plaza Xiamen is super modern. The rooms use a lot of glass, if you're into that kind of thing.
* Marco Polo Hotel is the nicest hotel in Xiamen with a wonderful international buffet and great atmosphere.
* Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort is probably the most beautiful resort in Xiamen. Besides the regular accommodations, the resort also contains an exotic hot springs park. They have all sorts of flavors (like milk, rose, tea, etc.) mixed into their natural hot springs water. They also have a fantastic spa. It is worth a trip.

[edit] Contact

The area code for Xiamen is 0592. When calling from overseas, dial +86 592 XXXX-XXXX

written by  garisti on May 1, 2008 from Xiamen, China
from the travel blog: Viaje por Asia
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