Xiamen Travel Guide

Legend says that Xiamen Island used to be the nesting place for egrets, giving it the name “Egret Island.” Located in the southern part of Fujian Province on the west coast of the Taiwan Straits, Xiamen is a traditional trading port in Southeast China and a famous coastal city. With its sub-tropical maritime climate, Xiamen is a picturesque coastal city in southeast China, earning itself the nickname "Pearl on the East China Sea." The mild temperature and convenient transport system make it a magnet for tourists inside and outside China.

Xiaman has a great variety of sights and sounds, making it probably the most exciting place to visit in Fujian province. The city has four tourist areas, Gulangyu, Southern Putuo , Wanshi Hill and Jimei, in addition to a sightseeing route on the sea. The city has been accredited as a National Sanitary City, National Garden City, National Model City for Environmental Protection and National Excellent Tourist City. For the outdoors-oriented tourist, Xiamen is a lively place. Water sports are popular in this coastal city, and sailboats, motorboats, scuba diving and water skiing are all available. Most hotels can help to arrange these activities. One of Asia's biggest golf courses is also nearby, designed by championship golfer, Greg Norman.

The city encompasses 1, 565 square kilometers and has a population of 1.3 million. As one of the earliest special economic zones in China, Xiamen is empowered with both provincial-level authority in economic administration and local legislative power. Since this special designation, the city's economy has experienced a sustained, rapid and coordinated growth. Xiamen Port is one of China's top 10 ports, boasting 80 berths of various sizes and navigation routes to about 60 ports in more than 40 countries. With 62 air routes, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is the main airline hub in East China. A well-developed system of railway and highway transportation links the city with the rest of China.