6-day tour that offers an authentic look at Xiamen

Day 2: Best day trips you can take 

A view of guide boards in an alley on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen. [Photo/IC]

It's highly suggested that visitors should not rush their stay in Gulangyu, as the UNESCO-listed heritage site boasts many more delights than one might have assumed. 

Here are some classic routes:

One day tour around the island: Bright Moon Garden -- Yu Garden -- Shuzhuang Garden (菽庄花园) -- Drum-Wave Rock -- Sunlight Rock (including Zheng Chenggong Memorial) -- Xiamen Museum -- Xiamen Sea World -- Dragon Head Shopping Street

Constructed in 1913 by a wealthy merchant from Taiwan, Shuzhuang Garden incorporates a total of 12 landscapes into its design. These designs create an idealized scene stressing harmony between human beings and their surroundings. [Photo/IC]

A half-day tour of historical inheritance: Bright Moon Garden -- Koxinga Well in Yanping Park -- Dragon Head Fort Relic within Sunlight Rock Area -- Marine Drilling Platform -- BoBing Game Bronze Statues -- Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) Memorial

A view of European-style mansions and cafes on Gulangyu Island. Visitors may marvel at the presence of 931 historical mansions constructed in a European style from the 19th century, as well as locals' efforts in preserving these heritage buildings. [Photo/IC]

A half-day tour of mixed architectural styles: Start at Fujian Road, walk along Lujiao Road, Fuxing Road, Zhonghua Road, and rest at Quanzhou Road.

Tourists climb Sunlight Rock (日光岩), the summit spot and landmark of Gulangyu. Standing on top of Sunlight Rock, visitors can peer at the modern city of Xiamen over Lujiang Bay. The metropolitan buildings there contrast with the banyan trees and graceful roofs of Gulangyu Island's European mansions. [Photo/IC]

Satay and savory

Satay noodles (沙茶面) is a popular local snack which you can find almost everywhere in Xiamen. The secret of satay noodles lies in its appetizing soup which is cooked with satay sauce. Add chewy noodles and green vegetables into the boiling water. Then sauce the cooked noodles and vegetables with the soup. Add some toufu, pork intestines, botiffarra, scalloped pork kidneys, shelled shrimps, squids and more as you prefer. 

Recommendation: Jianxin Satay Noodles (建兴沙茶面) at 60 Jinqiao Road, Siming District, Xiamen

Blend fresh oysters, garlic sprouts, Chinese chives, starches and eggs, then add a tablespoon of soy sauce and stir fry them in a pan with shallow oil until the oysters turn crispy. The use of chili sauce and Chinese parsley can make the oyster omelet smell intoxicating. 

Recommendation: Longtou Oyster Omelet (康家龙头海蛎煎) at 107 Longtou Road, Siming District, Xiamen

Click here for more about local delicacies and where to find them.