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Xiamen Travel Blogs

Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

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By brons
February 27th 2008

Xiamen Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen

Courtyard at Xiamen International Youth Hostel

After our delayed flight from Bangkok (which Air Asia felt bad about, so they supplied every passenger with a burger from Burger King and a bottle of water), we arrived safely in Xiamen and caught a taxi to our hostel. Being the middle of the night, we would have to wait until the break of day to get a feel for the city itself. The staff at the International Youth Hostel were very friendly (especially considering the late hour) and we fell to sleep in what was probably the most comfortable bed of our trip thus far. Upon waking, I simply [View Full Entry]

Testing out one of the supports propping up that heavy boulder

By laoshi Paul
February 27th 2008

Xiamen Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen » Jimei

Well I had planned to keep this blog up to date on a daily basis, unfortunately the computers in the place I'm staying run at a snails pace and therefore its rather difficult to sometimes even get online! I've arrived safely in Xiamen! The train journey wasn't as bad as I had expected and to be honest it passed pretty quickly! I actually met a couple of Chinese guys before I even got on the train who worked in Xiamen so they were able to give me the low down on the place! They were desperate to practice their English as [View Full Entry]

By Beth and Craig
January 25th 2008

Gulangyu - Cultural Succession Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen » Gulangyu

Entry Way - Gulangyu

A five minute ferry ride from the city of Xiamen, Gulangyu is an island still transitioning from its colonial past. Its a fine example of China's cultural resilience. The look is still European, but the vibe is entirely Chinese. A Brief Overview of the History of the Concessions The Opium Wars were a terrible loss for China, not only because it legalized a terrible drug addiction and cemented a bankrupting trade imbalance but it opened China to European concessions. These concessions reflected the social darwinism of the time, as Chinese citizens were not allowed entry. Th [View Full Entry]

By Sharon Jumper
September 17th 2007

Gulangyu Island, near Xiamen Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen » Gulangyu

Statue of General Zhong
Viewed from a distance on Gulyangyu. Gorgeous park and beach surrounds the statue.

We decided to venture across the water to Gulangyu, a small island across the water from Xiamen, where many old colonial buildings and historical sites are still standing. There are beautiful trees, some of which are 200+ years old, and gardens as well. Gulangyu in Pinyin literally means, "Piano Island." The island was home to a famous music school and contains the world's largest piano museum (we'll catch that one the next time around!) One great thing about Gulangyu is that it is not very crowded. It also has NO vehicles, save for a few electric golf carts that drive elderly [View Full Entry]

By Sharon Jumper
September 9th 2007

Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen

Overseas college and dorm
Foreign faculty live and teach many classes in this building - it is one of the older buildings on campus.

We've finished our first week of teaching here. I'm teaching Human Resources Management to undergraduate Seniors and my husband is teaching Business Negotiation to undergraduate Sophmores. The Chinese students are all very polite and hard-working. Their English is quite good, as it should be, since they've been taking English classes since they were in Kindergarten. We are living in the on-campus foreign faculty apartments. Since two of us are teaching, we have two apartments - we live in one on the fifth floor (ugh! LOTS OF STAIRS) and our son, Andrew, lives in one on the second floor o [View Full Entry]

By Sharon Jumper
September 9th 2007

Life in Xiamen Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen

Statues on waterfront promenade
I think these are drunk guys!

Getting around here is a bit of a challenge when you don't know the language. Xiamen is an island, but we live at Jimei University, which is on the mainland. Jimei is basically a college town built around the schools of the university. There are many small shops, bars, and restaurants that cater to college students, but not much else to do there. There's a Kentucky Fried Chicken, but not much else to my picky tastes! Getting to Xiamen requires a taxi ride (my favorite - a 30 minute ride across the bridge, to the opposite side of the island - [View Full Entry]

By CliffJumper
August 25th 2007

My journey to China Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen » Jimei

The cat, Hobie
Hobie has grown up with Punkin, so he really is not sure if he is a cat or a dog.

This travel blog begins with my family's trip to China. Sharon and I have taken an assignment as business professors for one semester at Jimei University in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. We leave home on August 26, 2007, travel to Hong Kong for a 3-day visit, and then on to Xiamen. Our 15-year old son, Andrew, will accompany us. Since our older son, David, is going away to college at George Washington University, our only regret is that we are leaving our pets behind. A friend of David's will pet sit while we are gone. Both Sharon and I find it [View Full Entry]

By Norma and John
July 6th 2007

China II - Xiamen Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen

Wall Cartoon in the Revolutionary Restaurant

We've returned to Xiamen to visit friends and see some familiar sights from our adventure here last year. TRANSPORTATION TRIVIA An inexpensive and convenient way of getting around Xiamen is to use taxis. We collect and carry business cards of our hotel/apartment, certain restaurants, people we know etc. to communicate our destination to the drivers. The rules of the road are another matter. Canadian drivers might see these road warriors as bad drivers - lane changes are made at whim, vehicles drift to cut off others, near misses with bicycles, motorbikes and hapless pedestri [View Full Entry]

A Decadent Dish at the Revolutionary Restaurant

By Rob Donna
June 26th 2007

Hello from China - Into the eye of the Dragon - Gulangyu to Shanghai Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen

Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, China
Walking around the island. This statue was huge - you had to walk up heaps of stairs to get to the top... so we didn't get to the top.

Well, we arrived safely in Xiamen, China last Monday (18 June) and yes it is true - travelling in China ain't easy. (Just wait for our blog on Beijing where we are now!!!) Virtually no one speaks any english (at least where we landed ) and there are very few signs in english. But just when you need help some one with enough english just seems to come along and get you out of the predicament. For example - Our guide book says - "turn east at the entrance of the airport and walk to the bus stop to the [View Full Entry]

By Carbonel
June 17th 2007

I am not a number! Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen » Gulangyu

RECOVERED

We speed through Xaimen is favour of Gulangyu Island, which is well worth a nights stay, free ferry on the way over, 8RMB on the way back. It's just like the set from that old 60's tv show 'The Prisoner' where a spy wants to quit spying and he gets kidnapped and placed in a carefully designed 'village' for ex spies who know too much to live out the rest of their days. The lawns (LAWNS!) are immaculate, the only motorised transport allowed is the golf cart, there is even classical music piped in from hidden speakers from 6am till 10pm [View Full Entry]

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