Stunning at every turn - Charming Gulangyu

#thingstodo #china Most itineraries to Xiamen, China would feature Gulangyu, and once you go there, you can see why. While locals I spoke to said it was touristy and uninteresting, I did enjoy my time there ❤️ 🚗 ❌️ Gulangyu is an island that is just a short ferry ride away from Xiamen. It is unique in that no forms of transportation are allowed on the island, not even bicycles. Hence it is very safe and suitable for wandering tourists/pedestrians, though that also means some planning is needed since you have to get everywhere by walking. 🚢 First off, it's important to check the ferry schedule between Xiamen and Gulangyu, the ferry frequency dips in the middle of the day, and there are two types of ferries, the regular ferry and luxury ferry. The regular one is much cheaper but you would have to stand all the way. There are more seats on the luxury ferry - though if you pay for a return ticket and opt to take the regular ferry on the way back they will not give you a refund. 📸 If you're not a planner, once you hop off the ferry, just follow one of the tour groups who will most likely head to the classic photo-taking spot near the ferry called ' Most beautiful turning point' - it is a building with two roads flanking it on both sides, a slender, triangular shaped building reminiscent of the Flatiron building in New York. After that, feel free to wander further uphill to find more scenic spots, practically every corner you turn you'll find some unexpectedly charming corner. The island itself is home to many villas and mansions formerly constructed and occupied by rich businessmen and political figures/local government leaders. Many have now been converted into restaurants or homestays so you can venture into some to explore further. 🌙 And make sure you leave enough time to walk back to the ferry if you're not staying on the island! Food-wise, there is a variety of foodstalls closer to the ferry near the waterfront which are more budget-friendly. I recommend grabbing a snack first before heading out to explore the island.