 | Gulangyu Island
Gulangyu is a car free island off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian province in southern China, about 1km2 in area. It is home to about 16,000 people and is a very popular tourist destination. The community's only means of transport is by foot, and the peaceful island provides an alternative to the hectic life in Xiamen city across the river, although the recent introduction of electric tourist buggies is damaging the island's charm. |
 | Hulishan Fortress
Hulishan Fortress is an internationally recognized historical and cultural site. The Fortress, built in 1894 during the 20th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, has more than 100 years of history. In August, 2000, it was listed in "The Guinness Book World Records". The base of the fortress is made of a strange yet surprisingly strong mixture of camphor tree sap, liquid brown sugar, glutinous rice, clay, and sand. The fortress includes barracks, a secret tunnel, commanding tower, sentry platform, ammunition depot, trenches, and castle. The castle is rectangular shaped and is made of granite rocks, occupying an area of 13,000 square meters.
In recent years, the fortress yard has been newly cleaned up and large-scale wall carvings have been built, which demonstrates the course of warehousing weapons, reviving military forces, and resisting strong enemies. Behind the wall carvings there is a small garden that features sculptures interspersed with interesting plants like evergreen grass and golden ball cacti. A sightseeing pavilion built in the high place appears harmonious and its natural surroundings. The scenic spot of Moonlight Rock can be found in the north of the small garden with other attractions like "Dragon Spring Waterfalls", "A Line Sky", and "The Poem Wall of Hulishan Fortress". |
 | Nanputuo Temple
Nanputuo Temple is located at the base of Wulaofeng Mountain (also known as Five Old Men Mountain) in Xiamen, Fujian province. The Temple’s amazing architecture is set against the rugged mountain scenery and the South China Sea which enhances the beauty of the ancient relic and makes it one of the most scenic spots in Fujian province. This Buddhist Temple was originally known as Puzhao Temple and dated back as far as the Tang dynasty (618-907), however during the Ming Dynasty the structure was destroyed during a vicious war. At some point in the Qing Dynasty the ancient structure was again rebuilt to its previous magnificent glory, and subsequently renamed the Nanputuo Temple. Much of its ancient architecture and intricate detail is still in excellent condition; any visit to the Temple is not complete without a visit to explore the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall and Hall of Great Mercy. There are many inscriptions around the temple and behind the temple cliff, which illustrate the long history of the structure. Moreover there is a stone "Buddha" carving located behind the Temple, which reaches an impressive fourteen feet high and ten feet wide. Behind the temple the mountains five peaks, hills and gullies are filled with an array of beautiful animal and plant life. Within the Nanputuo Temple is a famous hallway known as Buddha Hall, which has an impressive tall statue of Buddha III on display. The Middle of Great Mercy Hall is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy. Mahavira Hall established in the 1920s reflects China’s traditional religious ideologies, with detailed statues of the Trinity of the Three Ages. During the Tang Dynasty the Chinese State introduced a policy of religious harmony, and as such Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism religions were to coexist. Mahavira Hall displays the Buddha’s Three Ages; the Buddha of the Present is known as Sakyamuni; Kasyapa is the Buddha of the Past, and Maitreya is the Buddha of the Future is Maitreya. The ground floor of the Temple has the most tranquil atmosphere; historically the ground floor was utilized by the monks when they were faithfully contemplating the differing states of Buddha. The second floor contains some of the temples most ancient relics, the Jade Buddha Hall has 28 religious statues made from Myanmar jade, as well as tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures depicting the various stages of enlightenment. Any exploration of the ancient temple is not complete without a visit to the nearby ancient structures which include the: Zhonggu Building, Gongde Building, Haihui Building, Puzhao Building, Taixu Library, Buddhism College, Yangzheng Yard, and Wanshou Tower. The Buddhist College was constructed in 1925 and was one of China’s earliest national Buddhist educational facilities. Located in close proximity to the Naputuo Temple is an assortment of ancient style houses known as Suzhai, which have been beautifully preserved. The local food of this area includes the Nanputuo vegetable dishes, which are famous for their pure, simple and unique flavors. The strict use of fresh vegetables and ingredients provide the dishes with a distinctive zest, which makes every meal a great experience. With the continuation of traditional cooking styles, people have journeyed throughout history, to this province to experience the exceptional flavors. Furthermore there have been poets and painters throughout history who have attempted to capture the essence of local cooking styles, the best known example is "Half-Moon Down in River". |