City Introduction

Xiamen, the sub-provincial city of Fujian Province, is one of the five municipalities specifically designated in the state plan as well as one of China’ first batch of five special economic zones implementing the policy of opening up. It has been entitled the provincial-level economic administration authority and regional legislative authority.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Local dialect in Xiamen, one of China’s five special economic zones, is Hokkien. It is said that this place used to be the habitat for egrets, thus it was called “Ludao” (Egret Island). "Xiamen Cheng”, which implies the gate of the nation, was built since the 20th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1387). Thereafter, the name of “Xiamen” was recorded. In A.D. 1933, the People’ Revolution Government of the Republic of China (i.e. Fujian People’s Government) established the specialized city of Xiamen, which was abolished soon. In October 1980, the State Council of the Party Central Committee made the decision to line out an area of 2.5 square kilometers in Huli, the north of Xiamen Island, and established Xiamen Special Economic Zone. Henceforth, Xiamen has become one of the special economic zones established at the earliest time. Entitled with provincial level of economic administration authority, it has been rapidly developing in economy. On the “Ranking list of China City Comprehensive Competitiveness” released by Economic Daily at the beginning of 2002, Xiamen ranked the fifth.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Located in the southeast of Fujian Province, Xiamen adjoins Zhangzhou to the west, connects with Quanzhou to the north and stands in the face of Jinmen Islands across the sea to the southeast. Three representative areas of Xiamen, including Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple and Xiamen (Wanshi) Botanical Garden, are recommended to all tourists. Gulangyu Island, lying in the southwest of the city, stands opposite to Xiamen Island across the sea. You can have a panoramic view of Xiamen when you climb onto the Sunlight Rock and overlook the city. Under the rock lies the Zheng Chenggong Statue. In the south of the rock alongside the sea stand the famous Shuzhuang Garden and the flat bathing beach covered with green plants. Under the Wulao Mountain in the southeast of the city, there lies the renowned and ancient Nanputuo Temple. At the back of the temple, it is a quiet and beautiful place with rocks and trees. The Yunding Rock standing on the Hongji Mountain is the summit of Xiamen Island. Xiamen University is standing nearby, where tourists can visit Luxun Memorial Hall, Human Museum inside. Xiamen Botanical Garden, lying in the east of the city, is covered with ridges and peaks rising one after another as well as varied wonderful sceneries.

 

 

 

 

Climate Change

The climate of Xiamen is subtropical climate. It is warm and rainy with an annual average temperature of around 21 ℃. It is neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter. The mean annual precipitation reaches around 1200 mm and the largest amount arrives during each May to August. The wind power here is generally scale 3 to 4 and the normal dominating wind direction is northeast. Owing to the airflow resulted from the temperature differences at the Pacific Ocean, typhoon may occur four or five times annually at this place, mainly from July to September. Nevertheless, it will bring little negative influence to the city and to tourism industry.

 

 

 

 

Notes

In Xiamen dialect, the doorsill is called “Hudeng”. And in folk customs, there exists the “Door God” inside the door as well as the “Hudeng God” inside the doorsill. However, many children would like to step onto or squat and sit on the doorsill, which may offend the god. As a result, they may often be scolded by the adults. And they were prohibited to step onto the doorsill. It is also a taboo to step onto the doorsill of the shop. When the shop owners saw you stepping onto their doorsills, no matter purposely or accidentally, they might frown which seemed that you had screwed up their deal of the day. Please be mindful of this tip when you shop.

In Xiamen, the tide schedule has been calculated in the following way. Firstly, the tide comes at 12:00 at noon on the 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar. Then during the date of the 3rd to the 14th of the lunar calendar, multiply the number of the date by eight, and you will reach the number of tide time. For instance, if today is the fifth day of the lunar calendar, then we will get 40 by multiplying 5 by 8, which mean the tide will come at 4:00 p.m. If today is the 12th day of the lunar calendar, we will get 96 by multiplying 12 with 8, which means the tide will come at 9:30. During the dates from the 16th to the 29th of the lunar calendar, we should firstly use the number of the date minus 15 and then multiply the result by 8. The final number will indicate the time of the tide. For instance, today is the 20th day of the lunar calendar. We can get 40 from the formula, i.e. (20-15)*8. It means the tide will come at 4:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m.

Special tips:

1. The best time to visit Xiamen is in Spring and Autumn. Early summer is also not bad, while it is much warmer in Winter.

2. Please remember to bring some antidiarrheal drugs just in case if you would like to try out the seafood in Xiamen. Do not have too much seafood during each dinner.

3. Tourists are not recommended to go out at late night for safety reasons even if they would like to enjoy the midnight meal. Since the famous sidewalk snack booths are quite popular here. If you come late, there will be few options of seafood.

4. Around each August, typhoon may occur in this city more often. Please be mindful of the weather conditions.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Xiamen International Marathon

Co-organized by Chinese Athletics Association and Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, it is China’s unique international marathon held in Spring and the unique marathon held on the track with coastal scenery. Xiamen International Marathon and Beijing International Marathon have been recognized as two leading marathon races held in south and north of China.

Time: On the first Saturday of each January

Shangyuan Festival

It is also called “Lantern Festival” or “Yuanxiao Festival”, which is the birthday of Ziwei Emperor (one of the four Gods of Taoism). On this day, all streets have been decorated with beautiful lanterns. In temples and other public places, there will be abundant activities, including dragon dancing, lion dancing, stilts walking, fireworks displaying, lantern riddles guessing, etc.

Time: January 13 to 17 of the lunar calendar

Fenghuanghua (Delonix regia) Tourism Festival

This festival, named after the Delonix regia, the city tree of Xiamen, is full of rich local cultural characteristics and vigor. A variety of activities will be held during the festival, including the grand opening ceremony, the poem meeting, beach party, exotic fashion show, seaside parade, etc.

Time: In the season when Delonix regia blossom (generally in May and June). It is held alternatively with the Ocean Culture Tourism Festival every two years.

Mid-autumn Cake Game

On Mid-autumn Festival, the people in Xiamen will play a folk game with the moon cake. In the years when Zheng Chenggong led his army and stationed at Xiamen, the military officer Hong Xu designed this dice game in order to stimulate the soldiers’ morale and relieve their missing for the family on the Mid-autumn Festival. Later on, this custom spreads among the citizens in Xiamen. On the eve of the Mid-autumn Festival, every family will play this interesting dice game.

Time: August 15 of the lunar calendar

Ocean Culture Tourism Festival

During the festival, the main activities include aquatic sports and beach activities, such as “Delicious Seafood”, “Sweet Ludao”, “Passionate Drifting”, “Orienteering”, “Canoeing Race”, etc.

Time: During the National Day holidays. It is held alternatively with Fenghuanghua (Delonix regia) Tourism Festival every two years.