Gulangyu Island
鼓浪屿
A UNESCO World Heritage site, “Gulangyu: A Historic International Settlement,” with architecture from many countries, a piano museum and Sunlight Rock. It is a signature landmark of Xiamen.
Gulangyu is a 1.9 square kilometre island across the Lujiang strait from the southwest of Xiamen Island. From the mid-to-late 19th century it was a public concession, and it left behind consulates of more than ten countries, including Britain, the United States, Japan and the Netherlands, as well as villas built by overseas Chinese. In 2017 it was inscribed as a World Heritage site as “Gulangyu: A Historic International Settlement.” Core highlights include Sunlight Rock, the island's highest point, from which you can see the whole island and the Xiamen skyline; Shuzhuang Garden and the Piano Museum; the Bagua Building (Organ Museum, whose dome is the island's landmark); Longtou Road shopping street; the statue of Koxinga at Haoyue Park; and the old villas along the lanes. Recommended route: land at Sanqiutian Pier, then Longtou Road, Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Gangzihou Beach, the Bagua Building, and return from Neicuo'ao Pier. The walk takes about 4–5 hours. Tickets: a round-trip ferry ticket from Sanqiutian Pier, including the return, costs CNY 35. A combined ticket covering Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden and Haoyue Park costs about CNY 90. Transport: visitors must take the ferry from the Xiamen–Gulangyu Pier at Dongdu Cruise Terminal. Do not use the Zhongshan Road ferry pier, which serves the local commuter route. Ferry tickets must be booked in advance with real-name registration through the “Gulangyu Ferry” WeChat official account, and during holidays you should book several days ahead. The last return ferry usually leaves in the evening, so check the timetable and plan dinner on the island to see the night view. The island has no motor vehicles, many slopes and complicated lanes, so wear sneakers and avoid the midday heat. Snacks on the commercial street are pricey. Try the pastries and fish balls, but do not trust touts.
Opening hours
Open all day (Sunlight Rock and other sites 07:30–18:00; extended to 19:00 in summer)
Nearby sights
- Sunlight Rock
- Xiamen Underwater World
- Longtou Road
- Gangzaihou Beach
- Gulangyu Catholic Church
- Haitian Tanggou
- Shuzhuang Garden
- Yuyuan Garden (Lin Qiaozhi Memorial)