China (Xiamen, Fujian) Sept 2013

Map of Xiamen, Fujian, China

Total expenses incurred (4 days) : Y$441
- Hostel: Y$70 x 3 nights (Xiamen Old Town Hostel)
- Food: Y$136
- City Bus: Y$8
- Long distance bus: Xiamen > Hukeng - Y$62
- Entrance fee: Hulisan Fortress-Y$25

From Chaozhou, our group took an early bus to Xiamen (traveling time 4hrs). We spent 3 nights in Xiamen and focused our visits mainly in Gulang Yu, Nanputuo Temple, Huli Shan Fortress, Zhongshan Lu, the water front & beach area.

Public transport eg city buses is cheap & efficient so no hassle at all for us to move around the various tourist places.

The only regret was that we did not visit Fuzhou which has a bullet train service between both cities.

The Taiwan food street in Zhongshan Lu has a wide variety of seafood & cheap eats for you to enjoy the Hokkien style food.

1) Evening stroll in Zhongshang Lu, Xiamen, Fujian 

2) Zhongshan Lu by day & the nearby commercial district area, Xiamen, Fujian - a popular shopping & gourmet street for tourists !

3) Taiwan Small Eat Street, Xiamen, Fujian

4) Xiamen Oldtown morning wet market, Fujian - abundance of fresh seafood on sale here !

5) A panoramic view of Xiamen City, Fujian 

6) Waterfront in the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian, ferry crossing to nearby islands & parks etc

7) Hulishan Fort Station, Xiamen, Fujian - built in 1891 - 1896 during the Qing dynasty.

8) A local beach in Xiamen, Fujian

9) Botanical Garden of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 

10) Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 

11) Nan Puoto Temple, Xiamen, Fujian 

12) Boat ride from a jetty in Xiamen city > Gulang Yu, Xiamen, Fujian

13) Gu Lang Yu island, Xiamen, Fujian - a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

14) Old Town Youth Hostel, Jiutiao Xiang, Xiamen, Fujian - my enjoyable homestay in Xiamen, young or old doesn't matter as long as we are safe & have a good night sleep ! Staying in a back alley / small lane in the old part of Xiamen city gave me a good exposure to experience the daily life of local people in this Fujian coaster city ! 

15) Moon Cake (mid-Autumn) Festival in Xiamen, Fujian - Neil Armstrong brought this cake from the moon for our mankind to celebrate ? The cake is big and you are welcome to eat it !

Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival

16) Savouring local food in Xiamen, Fujian 
 

Oyster & pig offal spicy soup noodle - Y$16

Seafood Noodle Soup

Oyster Omelette