The amazing island of Gu Lang Yu in China is totally worth a visit. It's an island on the coastal side of the Fujian Province attached to the city of Xiamen. All very remarkable - to reach Gu Lang Yu you can take a ferry from Xiamen.
There is decent history on Gu Lang Yu, music and colonial wise. Indeed a few countries all influence the architecture on the streets of Gu Lang Yu. If you make it to Xiamen, most people head to Gu Lang Yu anyway and if you read on you'll see why it shouldn't be missed. An unusual part of your trip to Gu Lang Yu is the fact that to get there you have to pass through the island of Xiamen anyway! You can reach Xiamen by bus - I came from Shuyang Town and get a ferry from Xiamen seafront harbour direct to Gu Lang Yu.
How do you get to Gu Lang Yu? - The only option at present (and probably for the future) is by ferry from Xiamen. Get yourself to the waterside harbour at Xiamen and the ferry terminal is hard to miss. Make sure you just find the cheapest ferry to Gu Lang Yu - the cheapest one often doesn't go direct, it takes you on a tour round the island first before you land.
This by the way is totally worth doing - you get longer on the boat and you get to relax and check out the views. It's was a bright "sunshiney" day when we were there and the views were exceptional. The ferry cost us 15 RMB each for a return (in March 2012), but the prices vary and I've heard you can get a free ride at off peak times if you stand. It gets busy.
What can you see and do there? - Gu Lang Yu may be a small island but it's not short of tourist options that's for sure and here are my highlights (there are plenty more - you can go running if you like!):
1. Climb to Sunlight Rock - Climbing to the highest point of the island of Gulang Yu is recommended. Sunlight Rock is the English translation and the views are exquisite and the exercise of the climb up is also good for you. To get there basically follow signs for Sunlight Rock climb when you are on the island and you will find it, through the flurry of cobbled streets. Entrance to walk up there is a fee of 60 RMB which also includes a small memorial hall. It's a rip off and it's over-priced, especially for China, BUT I'd say do it as the view is spectacular as you can see.
2. The Colonial Style Architecture - Gu Lang Yu is unique for China - it includes building designs from the UK, Netherlands, Japan, Spain, China and a host more countries. This range of architecture makes it pretty to look at.
3. The Cobbled Streets - these cool, pokey streets get busy at times but make for an excellent stroll, plenty of restaurants and cafes too.
Just by walking round Gu Lang Yu you will appreciate the finer things in life - such as how pretty and wonderful the street architecture and layout is. Although this type of thing may be common in Europe, it's almost unheard of in parts of China. Walk slowly and take it all in!
4. The Music Influence - Gu Lang Yu is famous for its music. It has been nicknamed 'Piano Island' by locals and the Chinese. Lots of famous pianists come from Gu Lang Yu, which is incredible as its a very small island. When I was there I saw a free music parade and festival.
* There are also museums, colonial residences, a cable car ride, a Protestant church and a waterfront garden as well.
Where to stay on Gu Lang Yu? - There's a hostel on Gu Lang Yu which is difficult to miss, it's on one of the main streets when you arrive by ferry and is prominent. It's a Hostelling International - it's probably the cheapest option on the island.
That's basically it - Gu Lang Yu! Head over for a day trip and see it, or spend a night there and enjoy the restaurants and bar life after dark. It's a splendid place to visit and extremely different to parts of the main Fujian Province
There is decent history on Gu Lang Yu, music and colonial wise. Indeed a few countries all influence the architecture on the streets of Gu Lang Yu. If you make it to Xiamen, most people head to Gu Lang Yu anyway and if you read on you'll see why it shouldn't be missed. An unusual part of your trip to Gu Lang Yu is the fact that to get there you have to pass through the island of Xiamen anyway! You can reach Xiamen by bus - I came from Shuyang Town and get a ferry from Xiamen seafront harbour direct to Gu Lang Yu.
How do you get to Gu Lang Yu? - The only option at present (and probably for the future) is by ferry from Xiamen. Get yourself to the waterside harbour at Xiamen and the ferry terminal is hard to miss. Make sure you just find the cheapest ferry to Gu Lang Yu - the cheapest one often doesn't go direct, it takes you on a tour round the island first before you land.
This by the way is totally worth doing - you get longer on the boat and you get to relax and check out the views. It's was a bright "sunshiney" day when we were there and the views were exceptional. The ferry cost us 15 RMB each for a return (in March 2012), but the prices vary and I've heard you can get a free ride at off peak times if you stand. It gets busy.
What can you see and do there? - Gu Lang Yu may be a small island but it's not short of tourist options that's for sure and here are my highlights (there are plenty more - you can go running if you like!):
1. Climb to Sunlight Rock - Climbing to the highest point of the island of Gulang Yu is recommended. Sunlight Rock is the English translation and the views are exquisite and the exercise of the climb up is also good for you. To get there basically follow signs for Sunlight Rock climb when you are on the island and you will find it, through the flurry of cobbled streets. Entrance to walk up there is a fee of 60 RMB which also includes a small memorial hall. It's a rip off and it's over-priced, especially for China, BUT I'd say do it as the view is spectacular as you can see.
2. The Colonial Style Architecture - Gu Lang Yu is unique for China - it includes building designs from the UK, Netherlands, Japan, Spain, China and a host more countries. This range of architecture makes it pretty to look at.
3. The Cobbled Streets - these cool, pokey streets get busy at times but make for an excellent stroll, plenty of restaurants and cafes too.
Just by walking round Gu Lang Yu you will appreciate the finer things in life - such as how pretty and wonderful the street architecture and layout is. Although this type of thing may be common in Europe, it's almost unheard of in parts of China. Walk slowly and take it all in!
4. The Music Influence - Gu Lang Yu is famous for its music. It has been nicknamed 'Piano Island' by locals and the Chinese. Lots of famous pianists come from Gu Lang Yu, which is incredible as its a very small island. When I was there I saw a free music parade and festival.
* There are also museums, colonial residences, a cable car ride, a Protestant church and a waterfront garden as well.
Where to stay on Gu Lang Yu? - There's a hostel on Gu Lang Yu which is difficult to miss, it's on one of the main streets when you arrive by ferry and is prominent. It's a Hostelling International - it's probably the cheapest option on the island.
That's basically it - Gu Lang Yu! Head over for a day trip and see it, or spend a night there and enjoy the restaurants and bar life after dark. It's a splendid place to visit and extremely different to parts of the main Fujian Province
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