The charms of Xiamen
- By Wei Yao
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E-mail China Today, March 9, 2017
Liveable City
Xiamen's urban sprawl is surrounded by sea and there are pleasant sandy beaches in the south and east. Its subtropical climate means lush vegetation, chattering birds, and fragrant flowers flourish all year round. The rugged island is very hilly. The highest peak, Yunding Crag, is only 340 meters above sea level but is still high enough to afford stunning views of the island city. The Chinese Academy of Sciences released the China Livable City Research Report in June 2016, and Xiamen easily made the Top 10.
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On Gulangyu Island, there still remain numerous examples of European architecture. That is why Gulangyu is known as a "Museum of World Architecture." |
This beautiful city is like an endless park. Yundang Lake sits like a huge green lung in the city center. Thousands of egrets live there, and the sight of the egrets flying back to their nests at dusk looks just like a scroll painting. In Xiamen, the shade trees lining the beautiful streets are luxuriantly green. Tropical coconut trees, areca palms, mango trees, and banyans are green all year round. The most beautiful tree in the city is the flame tree. Its fern-like leaves resemble a phoenix tail and its flowers are as red as flaming fireworks. When its flowers bloom in summer and autumn, the whole city is ornamented with flamboyant bunches of red flowers. The official city flower, Bougainvillea, is also red. It is planted around the city in the municipal gardens and can also be seen growing on people's balconies. Bougainvillea's flowering season is similar to that of the flame tree, since it blooms in winter and spring. Orchid and cotton trees add to the beauty of this blooming spectacle in Xiamen. Spring, summer, autumn, or winter: this city is always in flower.
By far the densest concentration of flowers lies in Wanshi Botanical Garden. The garden, planted right up against the cliffs of Lion Mountain, is the most beautiful on the southeast coast. Over 4,000 species of plant grow here. Several enormous greenhouses and parks are so full of oxygen they feel intoxicating. The garden's mountain path leads to the top of Wanshi Crag. On the other side, at the foot of the hill, lies Xiamen University's attractive campus.
From the summit of Wanshi Crag there are sweeping views of the beaches on the southeast coast of Xiamen Island – this scene is really the only business card Xiamen needs to convince people to travel there. Island Ring Road runs along the shore following the contours of the island. Every January it serves as the route for the Xiamen International Marathon. Professional and amateur runners from both home and abroad can enjoy the beautiful sea views as they make their way around the island. Each day provides opportunities for both citizens and tourists to take a bike ride and enjoy the sunshine and sea breezes. There are bicycles built for two, or even three or four; and people can stop off to walk along Sun Bay, Zhenzhu Bay, Baicheng Beach, and other beaches. Winter here is short. For over half the year, it is warm enough for water sports or swimming in the sea. If you're very lucky you might catch a glimpse of a pod of endangered Chinese white dolphin patrolling the waters around Xiamen.
