Xiamen City Facts & Districts Guide

Located at the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a tourist city of Fujian province famous for its attractive seascape. Xiamen is a city which combines harmoniously material prosperity, cultural diversity, and political progress.Xiamen is the second largest city in Fujian province next to the capital city of Fuzhou, is smaller and prettier than Fuzhou. It offers a lot more to see, its streets and buildings, attractive shopping arcades and bustling seafront boasting a nineteenth-century European flavor. In March 2005, it was ranked 9th among 200 Chinese cities for its comprehensive strength.

Xiamen comprises six different districts, including neighboring Gulangyu Island.

Xiamen comprises Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Island, and a larger region along the mouth of Jiulong River on the continent.Huli District and most of Siming District (except Gulangyu) are on Xiamen Island, while the other four districts lie on the mainland. The districts of Siming and Huli form the Special Economic Zone.In May 2003, Gulangyu Island and Kaiyu an District were merged into Siming District, Xinglin District was merged into Jimei District, and Xiang'an District was created out of a section of Tong'an District.

Kaiyuan District

Kaiyuan District, better known as downtown, has streets pulsing with humanity.Yet, somehow, the Xiamen magic shines through and instead of feeling annoyingly busy, it instead comes across as excitingly vibrant.The lodging options are many and include the Best Western and the wildly plush Marco Polo, which rests along the lapping shores of Yuandang Lake.Its Lotus Court Restaurant is locally revered for both its cuisine and its calming views of the lake.Nightlife also abounds, and the oddly named KK Recreation Ground offers prime time dancing.

Xinglin District

Located northwest of downtown on the mainland, the Xinglin District takes great pride in being the birthplace of Xiamen industry.Electronics, machinery, chemicals and textiles are the pillars of this district's economic scene.

Haicang District

Haicang was always the port of call for trade incoming to Xiamen.In May of 1989, Chinese central government established the Haicang Disrict as investment area for Taiwan businessman.Since then, Haicang has developed world class port, industrial and agricultural base for exports.The government of Haicang Investment Zone actively invites foreign investment in high technology and capital intense industries, with emphasis on electronics, manufacturing, petrochemicals, machinery, refined chemicals, new building materials, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industry.

Huli District

Located north of downtown, Huli District houses one of Xiamen's best five-star hotels ¨CYuehua Hotel.Since the addition of the Gaoqi International Airport in 1996, developers have migrated in, making it into one of the area's largest business centers.

Jimei District

The Jimei District is another tourist jewel for it represents the first mainland stop after exiting Xiamen via the causeway.The scenic village of Jinmen, highlighted by the world famous Jimei School Village, is a must visit with all tour companies.And nearby Yuewain Mountain rates as an easily accessible city escape full of hiking trails, ancient relics and lush green forests.

Siming District

Tong'an District

This mainland district of almost 550,000 people challenges Xiamen's "Garden of the Sea" label.Known mainly for its industry, with a heavy lean on technology, the Tong'an Distrcit is vastly important within the business sector.

Xiang'an District is a district of Xiamen on its eastern most mainland territory.It was created out of five towns of Tong'an District in May 2003, including Xindian, Xinyu, Maxiang, Neicuo and Dadeng.Xiamen is constructing the Xiamen Xiang'an Tunnel which is about 9 kilometers long.This includes 5.95 kilometres of the tunnel under water.It starts from Wutong of Xiamen Island and terminates at Xibin, Xiang'an District.It is scheduled to be completed by 2009.

Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island, tiny in size, is a huge attraction and reigns as the superstar of Xiamen's tourism industry.Accessible only by ferry, its winding cobblestone streets wander past endless rows of old colonial buildings canopied by lush green trees, creating the kind of idealistic setting that even the folks at Disney cannot recreate.A ban on cars heightens its impossible charm, making the pedestrian king of the streets.Sunlight Rock, Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, the intoxicatingly scenic Shuzhuang Garden and the Xiamen Museum are just a few of its many attractions.The island also enjoys national recognition for its devotion to music, and proof of this can be heard at the pragmatically named Music Hall of Gulang Island.Lodging options are limited, but the Gulangyu Guesthouse rates as a tourist favorite.

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