The
1.78-square-kilometre
Gulangyu Islet in the
southwestern corner of
Xiamen is a major scenic
spot in Fujian, with
serene beauty, a
tranquil atmosphere and
buildings in various
architectural styles
tucked away in the
shadows of green trees.
The air is fresh, the
din of traffic is a
sound practically
unknown to local
islanders, and there is
plenty to see and do on
this small island.
The four-kilometre-long
ring road is flanked on
one side by the beach
and on the other by a
string of bungalows
built in English,
French, German,
Japanese, Spanish and
Chinese styles.
Strolling along the road
one can see islets,
bays, flowers, trees,
pavilions and terraces.
This is on the highest
point of Gulangyu and is
accessible only by a
"sky ladder" - a steep
trail which also takes
one to Riguang Temple,
the Ancient Summer Cave
and the platform where
General Zheng Chenggong
(Koxinga) reviewed his
naval force. Sunlit Rock
provides a panoramic
view of the booming
metropolis of Xiamen.
Right below Sunlit Rock
stands the Zheng
Chenggong Memorial Hall,
where the life of the
general is relived
through more than 300
cultural relics,
historical documents,
photos, sculptures and
scale models, on display
in seven showrooms. |