Morning Walk on Gulangyu Island Part 3: Discover the Rich History and Culture of This Xiamen Getaway

In the previous part, we shared our journey from the quiet early morning port town to climbing Sunlight Rock. In this final part, we’ll introduce our beach exploration after descending from Sunlight Rock and our experiences in the gradually livening commercial streets. Although our stay was only about 3 hours, we were able to observe how the island’s character changed dramatically even within that short time.

Morning Walk on Gulangyu Island: Exploring a UNESCO World Heritage Site Just 15 Minutes from Xiamen (Part 2)

For more about our early morning exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you can find the detailed account of our morning walk through the peaceful streets before the crowds arrived.

Ancient Trees That Tell Stories of History

For our descent from Sunlight Rock, we chose a different route than our ascent. This path is dotted with ancient trees several hundred years old that have quietly witnessed the island’s history. Particularly impressive was a giant tree with mangrove-like developed roots. The roots spread around the trunk showed sculptural beauty, representing natural art formed over long years.

These ancient trees are living witnesses to the island’s history. From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, when this island flourished as an international trading port, through to modern times, they have silently watched over the transitions. Walking along the small paths winding between the trees, you can slowly feel the passage of time.

Beachside Walking Path

After walking south for about 15 minutes, the view suddenly opened up to reveal a beautiful sandy beach. Being December, there were no swimmers enjoying the sea, but the white sparkling sand and crystal-clear water would undoubtedly be a popular beach spot during summer.

When I tentatively dipped just my toes into the sea, the expected coldness nearly made me gasp. However, despite such water temperature, local children were joyfully playing in the water. Watching their innocent play made me realize that this island is not just a tourist destination but also a place where many people live their daily lives.

I sat on the sand and spent some time listening to the sound of waves. The contrast with the high-rise buildings visible on the opposite shore made this place’s specialness even more prominent. It’s surprising that such a peaceful place exists just 15 minutes away from urban hustle and bustle.

By the way, Gulangyu Island and Xiamen are known as one of China’s premier music cities. During the day, you can encounter various street performances and music-related events throughout the streets.

Discoveries in the Livening Commercial Streets

Around 10 AM, the area around the port began to gradually come alive. In contrast to the morning quiet, stores started opening their shutters one by one, and tourists began overflowing into the streets.

The highlight of this area is the museum utilizing the former site of the China Southern Bank. This building with its classical exterior is itself a historically valuable architectural structure. Inside, you can learn about the history of Chinese currency, and combined with the building’s atmosphere, it makes for a very interesting exhibition.

The arched windows, decorative columns, and beautiful staircases showcase the pinnacle of architectural techniques from that era. The building’s dignified atmosphere conveys the time when this island flourished as a major hub for international finance.

Among the stores lining the street, what particularly caught my eye was an antique-style souvenir shop. The moment I stepped inside, I was excited by encounters with items from across time periods. Especially striking was a Mao Zedong messenger bag that had great edge. Not only was the design excellent, but I could also feel its historical value, and I decided to purchase it on the spot.

The Chinese traditional sweets corner inside the store was also attractive. The colorful packages and uniquely shaped confections I’d never seen before were truly an encounter with a different culture. While imagining the stories behind each sweet, I ended up buying one of every type.

Deep Impressions from a Short Stay

This visit was only about 3 hours long due to the need to catch an afternoon flight out of China. However, by starting activities early in the morning, I was able to efficiently experience various faces of the island. The quiet early morning streets, buildings shining in daylight, peaceful seaside scenery, and gradually livening commercial areas.

Being able to encounter such diverse charms in a short time might be unique to this island. The distinctive atmosphere where European and Chinese cultures blend, beautiful nature, and rich history. Even for a whirlwind trip, this is definitely a tourist destination worth visiting.

With Anticipation for the Next Visit

Due to time constraints and online ticketing system issues this time, there were many spots I couldn’t visit. The Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, Piano Museum, Trinity Church, and many other historical buildings remain, and although I couldn’t experience it, I hear the view from Sunlight Rock at sunset is particularly beautiful.

Xiamen has direct flights from many international destinations, making it accessible for quick trips. I definitely want to spend a full day thoroughly enjoying the island’s charms on my next visit.