A one-day tour to Gulangyu Island

1 cities | 6 attraction(s) | total distance 4 km

TIPS

To visit Gulangyu, you generally need to first go to Xiamen and then take a ferry from Xiamen. Gulangyu is a small island with no motor vehicles or bicycles. If you have enough time, it is highly recommended to stay overnight and experience the tranquility and beauty of the island at night.

Day1: Xiamen

6 attraction(s) · 4 km

Today we're going to arrive at Gulangyu Island from Xiamen. Our itinerary upon arrival includes visiting the best scenic spot on Gulangyu Island - Sunlight Rock, as well as Xiamen's top garden, Shuzhuang Garden, which is also a must-see attraction on the island. There are also a few other small scenic spots worth checking out before going for a stroll in the beautiful Haoyue Park. In the afternoon, let's take an incredible journey under the sea at the Underwater World! Finally, we will visit the Trinity Church, which has the best Christian choir in the country.

Sunlight Rock

Sunlight Rock, also known as "Yan Zai Shan" or "Huang Yan," is said to have been named "Sunlight Rock" by Zheng Chenggong in 1641. It is said that he saw the scenery here surpassing the Mount Nikko in Japan and split the character "Huang" into two to name it "Sunlight Rock". As you enter the mountain gate and look up at the cliff above, you will see three inscriptions: "Heavenly Winds and Ocean Waves", "Gulangyu's Top Cave", and "Lujiang's Number One". Surprisingly, these three inscriptions were respectively carved by three different individuals: "Gulangyu's Top Cave" was inscribed in 1573 by Ding Yizhong, the supervisor of Quanzhou Prefecture, making it the oldest inscription on Gulangyu Island; "Lujiang's Number One" was inscribed by Lin Zhen, a successful candidate in the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty; and "Heavenly Winds and Ocean Waves" was inscribed by Xu Shiying, the Fujian Inspector General in 1915, during the Republic of China era. These three inscriptions on a huge rock have spanned three dynasties! The top of Sunlight Rock is the highest point on Gulangyu Island. Standing here, you can enjoy the surrounding islands and sea views. Feeling the sea breeze and taking a photo with your hair flying is a great choice.

1 km

Shuzhuang Garden

Shuzhuang Garden was built in 1913 and named after the homonym of the nickname "Shuzang" of the Taiwanese wealthy businessman Lin Erjia. It is divided into Bishan Garden and Canghai Garden.

1 km

Haoyue Park

1 km

Underwater World Xiamen

Xiamen Underwater World

The venue resembles a blue crystal palace and is the aquarium with the most complete display of fish species in the country, known as the beautiful "Dragon Palace of the Sea".

1 km

Gulangyu Organ Museum

Organ Museum

The Accordion Museum is located in the Bagua Tower. It is currently the only and largest accordion museum in China and the world.

1 km

Gulangyu Scenic Area in Xiamen City - Sanyi Hall

Located near Bishan Cave, built in 1934, it symbolizes the joint construction of three churches, and also embodies the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.