Gulangyu (China)

Nicknamed "Piano Island" – it is home to an interesting museum dedicated to the instrument – Gulangyu was for a long time an international settlement before becoming an important colonial port then a prized destination for both Chinese and foreign visitors. The island has actually managed to retain its superb colonial architecture, and added to this it also has several museums and some pretty parks and gardens (including a bird park), which make for enjoyable places to go for a walk.

Motorized vehicles and bicycles are banned from Gulangyu, with an exception made for the island's electric vehicles, which makes it a particularly pleasant place. The picturesque little streets of the town center area are home to a number of shops aimed at tourists, restaurants serving seafood specialties, and tea bars. The highest point on the island, Sunlight Rock, offers breathtaking views over both Gulangyu and its neighbor Xiamen.