After a trip to Xiamen, my consumption concept collapsed! Came to a city because of a song
My dears, is there a song that can make you yearn for that literary and artistic seaside city and make you want to rush there immediately? It was because of "Summer in Xiamen", "Summer in Xiamen, the sand on the beach, your footprints, are the paintings I love", this fresh, romantic, island-style lyrics seems to show the enthusiasm and tenderness of Xiamen one by one, which made me resolutely set foot on this charming land in February and start a leisurely and pleasant journey. Come and take a look at my strategy 💕.
Introduction to scenic spots
• Gulangyu: Gulangyu is like a garden on the sea, with a literary and artistic atmosphere. The sun is shining brightly on Gulangyu Island in February. Strolling through the International Architecture Expo, you will see European-style villas scattered around, each telling a story from the past. Wandering through the quiet alleys, you might occasionally encounter a lazy cat, and hear melodious piano sounds coming from the corner. You will feel as if you are in a palace of art, immersed in this romantic island atmosphere.
• Xiamen University: Xiamen University is like a knowledgeable and elegant scholar, with both beauty and connotation. Although there are many tourists during the holidays, when you walk into the campus, you will see the sparkling Furong Lake and the graceful swimming black swans. The black swans on the lakeside and the surrounding Jiageng buildings complement each other, creating a unique scene. There is also the Hibiscus Tunnel with graffiti all over the walls, which is full of youthful vitality, allowing people to recall the good times on campus and appreciate the charm of the fusion of academics and art.
• Ring Road: The Ring Road is like a colorful ribbon, surrounding Xiamen Island. Rent a bicycle and ride along the coast, feeling the sea breeze on your face. On one side is the boundless sea with waves beating on the beach, and on the other side are green mountains. Passing Zengcuo'an along the way, you can smell the aroma of delicious food. You can ride, play, eat and enjoy the scenery. You can fully enjoy the fun of seaside cycling and feel the vitality and leisure of Xiamen.
• Nanputuo Temple: Nanputuo Temple is like an otherworldly monk, solemn and majestic. The ancient temple has red walls and yellow tiles, with smoke curling up from the air. The architecture inside the temple is exquisite, and the flying eaves and brackets show the ancient charm. Climb up Wulao Peak on the back mountain to overlook Xiamen city and the sea, feel the tranquility of the soul in the quiet Zen atmosphere, and appreciate the profoundness of Buddhist culture.
How to get there
• Plane: You can fly directly to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport✈ or Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport✈. The airport has convenient transportation. There are airport buses to various places in the city. You can also transfer to buses and taxis to quickly start your trip to Xiamen. If you depart from surrounding cities, you can take the high-speed rail to Xiamen Station or Xiamen North Station. There are frequent trains🚄. After exiting the station, there are buses and subways in all directions, making it easy to go to various attractions.
• City transportation: The city’s buses and subways can basically meet travel needs, and you can use your mobile phone to scan the QR code to ride; to go to Gulangyu Island, you need to take a boat at the Xiamen-Gulangyu Wharf of the Cruise Center; to go to Xiamen University, you can scan your mainland China ID card at the door to enter the campus (advance reservation is required); you can rent a car at the roadside rental point for cycling around the island; Nanputuo Temple is right next to Xiamen University and can be reached on foot, making travel very convenient.
What to see
• Street music performances in Gulangyu: Gulangyu is full of music stages, with street performers playing passionately on street corners and squares, with guitars, violins, accordions and other instruments interweaving into beautiful melodies. Stop and listen, immerse yourself in this cheerful atmosphere, feel the charm of this capital of literature and art, and maybe you can even hear the familiar "Summer in Xiamen" and have a romantic encounter with music.
• Academic lectures at Xiamen University (if available): Xiamen University often holds various academic lectures, covering the fields of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, etc. If you are lucky enough to come across it, you can walk into the classroom, listen to experts and scholars share cutting-edge knowledge, feel the strong academic atmosphere, broaden your horizons, and appreciate the style of a prestigious school.
• Sunrise viewing at the Ring Island Road: In the early morning of February, wait for the sunrise at the seaside of the Ring Island Road. The sky turns from dark to bright, and the orange-red light sprinkles on the sea, sparkling and magnificent. Hug your loved ones, greet the arrival of a new day, and leave behind warm and unforgettable memories.
• Nanputuo Temple’s Zen Tea Party (if any): Sometimes the temple will hold a Zen tea party, where you can sip a cup of fragrant tea, listen to the monks’ lectures, feel the Zen spirit in the fragrance of tea, relax your body and mind, experience a peaceful and far-reaching state of mind, and feel the unique charm of Buddhist culture.
Good place for taking photos
• Gulangyu Sunlight Rock: Climb to the top of Sunlight Rock and take photos of people embracing the beautiful scenery with their arms open, with the panoramic view of Gulangyu and the vast sea as the background. The photos fully show the magnificence of the island and are a must-have for friends circle.
• Xiamen University Shangxian Stadium: Standing on Shangxian Stadium, with the blue sea and sky, the red runway, and the Tan Kah Kee Building as the background, you can take pictures of people walking around the campus. Using light and shadow effects, you can show the youthful vitality of the campus. The photos are very visually impactful.
• Huangcuo Beach on Huandao Road: At Huangcuo Beach, with the sea, sunrise and beach as the background, it is fun to capture the dynamic moments of people jumping and cheering, and record this vibrant seaside morning.
• In front of the Heavenly King Hall of Nanputuo Temple: With the solemn architecture and exquisite wood carvings of the Heavenly King Hall as the background, wear plain clothes and take pictures of people worshiping Buddha devoutly, creating a solemn atmosphere and showing the ancient charm and sacredness of Nanputuo Temple.
Travel experience
This 3-day trip in Xiamen is truly an unforgettable spiritual adventure💕. Wandering around Gulangyu Island, you will be intoxicated by the literary romance and feel the island style; visiting Xiamen University, you will be amazed by the academic charm and recall the beauty of the campus; riding along the Ring Road around the island, you will enjoy the vitality of the seaside and experience the fun of cycling; touring Nanputuo Temple, you will be immersed in the Zen tranquility and appreciate the Buddhist culture. Xiamen is like a piece of music that interweaves a fresh folk song with the passionate sound of waves. It has both gentle poetry and vigorous vitality. I have fallen deeply in love with it and look forward to coming back to continue writing my Xiamen chapter next time.
Tips
• The weather in Xiamen in February is changeable, with a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so you can bring a thin jacket; although the temperature is not low, the seaside wind is strong, so take windproof measures, scarves 🧣 and hats are essential.
• Gulangyu ferry tickets must be booked in advance, and the time for arriving and leaving the island should be arranged reasonably; when visiting, pay attention to protecting the ancient buildings and do not make loud noises.
• Xiamen University requires students to make an appointment to enter campus in advance through its official WeChat account, abide by campus regulations, and protect the environment.
• When riding on the Ring Island Road, please be careful and check the condition of your vehicle; when tasting snacks in Zengcuoan, choose regular shops and pay attention to food hygiene.
• Nanputuo Temple is open to the public free of charge. Please observe religious etiquette when entering the temple, keep quiet, and do not touch religious items at will.
• You can choose to stay in Siming District, which is close to major attractions, convenient for transportation, and has many restaurants and shopping malls nearby, making life convenient.
My dears, Xiamen in February is full of charm, come and start your own Xiamen music journey💖!
Stewart Christine Chrissy1