3 / 5 - 2 reviews
Xiamen (China)
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Practical information on Xiamen
Reviews of Xiamen
Situated on China's southeast coast, in Fujian Province and facing Taiwan, Xiamen is a an attractive town loved by Chinese and foreign visitors alike.
My review
Formerly known as 'Amoy', Xiamen comprises of the island that takes it name, the little island of Gulangyu and the northern banks of the Jiulongjiang River.
It has lots of pluses...a pleasant climate, an interesting cultural heritage, parks and hills, lively streets and a remarkable standard of living. Indeed, Xiamen is considered to be one of the cleanest cities in China - a great place to live, study and take a vacation.
If you're passing through Xiamen, make sure you take a trip to Gulangyu Island - it's touristy but you'll soon understand why it's one of the most popular places in the region! Breathtaking scenery, calm (traffic is forbidden!), beautiful, pastel-colored houses and the only sound is of waves gently breaking on the shore. In short, it's the perfect break !
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This small, historical village, located 170 km from Xiamen and lying halfway between Nanjing and Yongding, contains a number of architectural treasures.
My review
The south Fujian region is famous for its Hakka communal architecture and, more particularly, for the fortress-like houses referred to as Tulous. Constructed between the 12th and 20th centuries, tulous are large, enclosed and fortified buildings, rectangular or circular in shape, with thick, rammed-earth walls. These three to five-storey communal dwellings could house up to 80 families. They are generally comprised of a courtyard, living areas, a water well and a kitchen, and resemble little fortified villages.
Take a look at the circular tulou, Huaiyuan Lou, located in Meilin. The village of Heguilou, close by, contains the largest, square-shaped Hakka house in China; the building dates from the Qing dynasty.
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