Xiamen (Amoy) is located along the southeast coast of Fujian Province. Formerly an isolated island, it was linked with the mainland after the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 by the construction of Jimei and Xinglin causeways.
Perhaps because of its shape or because it used to be a habitat of white egrets, it is also called "Egret Island." Located in the subtropical zone, Xiamen has warm and humid climate, with flowers blooming all the year round.
Drum Wave Island (Gulangyu)
Known as the "garden on the sea," this island is separated from the city proper by the one-kilometer-wide Lujiang Strait and is accessible by ferry. The highest spot on the island is sunlight Rock (Riguangyan), so called because the hilltop glistens like silver in the sun. Sunlight Rock commands a panoramic view of the entire city of Xiamen, Drum Wave Island, and the Lujiang River. It was here that the Ming Dynasty general and national hero Zheng Chenggong (1624-62) once directed the training of his navy. Halfway down the hill, there is a cave called Ancient Summer Resort Cave (Gubishudong) in which people can hear the sound of waves, like the roaring of a tiger. The sea and the sunshine can be enjoyed on the beaches at the foot of Sunlight Rock.
Aoyuan Garden at Jimei
Located in Jimei Town in north Xiamen, beautiful Aoyuan Garden, where Tan Kah Kee (1874-1961), an overseas Chinese patriot and educator, was buried.
South Putuo Temple
This ancient temple at the foot of Five Old Men Hill (Wolaoshan) east of Xiamen was first built more than a thousand years ago during the Tang Dynasty. It received its present name when it was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. It received its present name when it was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. The original Hall of Great Benevolence (Dabeidian), a wooden structure built on stone foundation, was destroyed in war. Though the present one is a 1930 concrete imitation of the earlier wooden buildings, it looks just as magnificent. The temple is regarded as one of the finest temples in south Fujian and is especially noted for Buddha statues and carvings on steles that are found in its buildings.
Taiping Rock
The highest peak of Lion Mountain (Shishan) in the east suburbs of Xiamen, this steep mount has many caves hidden on its slopes and streams meandering through its ravines. A famous scenic spot at Taiping Rock is the Laughing Stone, which resembles an open, laughing mouth. The two characters for Shi xiao (meaning "laughing stone") are engraved on it. It is said that Zheng Chenggong (1624-1662), the Ming Dynasty general, used to come here to read in solitude.
