Gu Lang
Yu Island
 The
1.78-square-kilometre Gulangyu Islet in
the southwestern corner of Xiamen is a major
scenic spot in Fujian, with serene beauty,
a tranquil atmosphere and buildings in various
architectural styles tucked away in the
shadows of green trees. The air is fresh,
the din of traffic is a sound practically
unknown to local islanders, and there is
plenty to see and do on this small island.
The four-kilometre-long ring
road is flanked on one side by the beach
and on the other by a string of bungalows
built in English, French, German, Japanese,
Spanish and Chinese styles. Strolling along
the road one can see islets, bays, flowers,
trees, pavilions and terraces.
This is on the highest
point of Gulangyu and is accessible only
by a "sky ladder" - a steep trail
which also takes one to Riguang Temple,
the Ancient Summer Cave and the platform
where General Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga)
reviewed his naval force. Sunlit Rock provides
a panoramic view of the booming metropolis
of Xiamen. Right below Sunlit Rock stands
the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, where
the life of the general is relived through
more than 300 cultural relics, historical
documents, photos, sculptures and scale
models, on display in seven showrooms.
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