Xiamen Attractions
Xiamen lies in the southeast of Fujian province.
Xiamen's ancient town center - Amoy in the Fujian dialect - on the island of the same name is joined to the mainland by a long causeway built in 1956. Xiamen has a favorably-located natural harbor.
Being situated in the subtropical zone, this coastal town enjoys a very mild maritime climate.
Xiamen was founded in 1394 to provide a defense against pirate attacks; later it became a sea-port. It was named Xiamen after the original fortress of Da Xia Zhi Men, known as the ''Gateway to the Great Edifice''; the term ''Great Edifice'' refers to China itself. General Zheng Chenggong (1624-62) set up a naval base here. In 1842, after China had been defeated in the Opium Wars, Xiamen became one of the five free ports which the government was forced to open up to international trade.
By the mid-1950s it had developed into an important industrial center. Since 1980 Xiamen has been one of the four Special Economic Zones, where a kind of free market economy operates.
Xiamen's ancient town center - Amoy in the Fujian dialect - on the island of the same name is joined to the mainland by a long causeway built in 1956. Xiamen has a favorably-located natural harbor.
Being situated in the subtropical zone, this coastal town enjoys a very mild maritime climate.
Xiamen was founded in 1394 to provide a defense against pirate attacks; later it became a sea-port. It was named Xiamen after the original fortress of Da Xia Zhi Men, known as the ''Gateway to the Great Edifice''; the term ''Great Edifice'' refers to China itself. General Zheng Chenggong (1624-62) set up a naval base here. In 1842, after China had been defeated in the Opium Wars, Xiamen became one of the five free ports which the government was forced to open up to international trade.
By the mid-1950s it had developed into an important industrial center. Since 1980 Xiamen has been one of the four Special Economic Zones, where a kind of free market economy operates.
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Island of the Blown Waves
This small island is known primarily for its beautiful little homes and lush surroundings.
South Putuo Temple
South Putuo Temple, at the foot of the Mountain of the Five Old Men (Wulaoshan) in the south of the town, was built during the Tang dynasty (618-907).
In the front hall stand statues of Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings.
Three further Buddha figures and one of Guanyin are to be found in the Sumptuous Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian). Statues of Guanyin can also be seen in the Temple of Dabei Tang.
In the front hall stand statues of Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings.
Three further Buddha figures and one of Guanyin are to be found in the Sumptuous Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian). Statues of Guanyin can also be seen in the Temple of Dabei Tang.
Cangjing Ge Pavilion
In Cangjing Ge Pavilion there are some interesting writings and a bell from the Song period (960-1279). In the University of Xiamen is a memorial to the writer Lu Xun, who lectured here in 1926-27.
Park of Ten Thousand Rocks
The botanical gardens known as the Park of Ten Thousand Rocks lie on Lion Mountains (Shishan) in the east of the town. The dominant features of the park are bizarre-shaped rocks, lush vegetation, caves, temples and pavilions. There is also an artificial lake of the same name.
Particularly interesting are the Temple of the Kingdom of Heaven (Tianjie Si) and the nearby Chang Xiao Dong caves which contain inscriptions dating from the Ming period (1368-1644).
Particularly interesting are the Temple of the Kingdom of Heaven (Tianjie Si) and the nearby Chang Xiao Dong caves which contain inscriptions dating from the Ming period (1368-1644).
