Xiamen, one of China’s most livable cities

CGTN | 06-May-2021

Travelling provides a chance for people to break away from the shackles of their old lives and learn more about themselves during the journey. Starting from March 10, CGTN has brought you a series of travel guides for some great destinations along China’s high-speed expressways to give you some ideas on how to start a road trip in China.

The city of Xiamen, located in southeast China’s Fujian Province, is a great tourist destination. It is notable that Xiamen regularly ranks among the top 10 most livable cities in the country.

History

The history of Xiamen dates back to China’s Western Jin Dynasty (265-316). At that time, Xiamen was part of Tong’an County. In modern times, Xiamen is one of the five special economic zones (SEZ) in China and is reputed for its favorable business environment.

Culture

Speaking of local culture in Xiamen, one can’t skip Mazu. The worshiping of the Chinese sea goddess Mazu is a folk custom prevalent along China’s southeastern coast. Mazu belief and customs have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As legend has it, a girl named Lin Mo was born in 960 in Fujian. She was intelligent and benevolent, willing to help others since her youth. Later in her life, she achieved Taoist success and became a divinity. Then, she roamed around the country, rescuing and helping fishermen at sea.

Transportation

It is very convenient for travelers to fly to Xiamen from China’s major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Traveling by high-speed railway is also a good choice.

Top attraction

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Xiamen, Gulangyu Island is located on the estuary of the Jiulong River, only a six-minute ferry ride from downtown. It is famous for its varied architecture and multicultural history. In 2017, the World Heritage Committee added the Gulangyu historical international settlement to the prestigious World Heritage List as a cultural site.

Food

The must-try street food in Xiamen is the oyster omelet. The ingredients include beaten egg, oyster, green onion, and vegetables. It is crisp and fresh.