Gulangyu: Its smaller than Singapore. Ha!

Fly China Fly!

Gulangyu, the island that houses about 200, 000 or less people and perhaps lots more seafood. The island is situated a short distance away from Xiamen mainland. This same distance can be covered with the aide of a 5 minute ferry ride from Xiamen. Interesting thing is, to head over to Gulangyu, the ferry carries no charge. However, on your return journey there is a charge of 8yuan. 

Xiamen Island from Gulangyu

Well...They expect you to return from the tiny island at some point. However, its free of charge, if you take the ferry ride between 10pm till 12mn. 

And thats probably because, they are not responsible for your safety in the dark. 

It was abandoned and I almost entered for a "Haunted Adventure" :D

The place reminded me so much of my previous trip to Yangshuo, Guilin. All for the following reasons of course;

• Tourists (mostly locals from other regions and Chinese from South East Asian Nations
• Narrow streets cluttered with cute little shops and cafes with stuff carrying exorbitant price tags
• Shops open late and close late: Supper is a huge deal!!

Quaint alleyway leading to a vintage stall

Shops lit up the street after 6pm, and street food stalls ranging from mini tables arranged onto the already narrow streets to middle age men or women pushing a mobile stall filled with desserts, fruit juices, fried tofu, ah yes and the famous dead creatures of the sea.

Loads of vintage shops and an odd looking Indian dress stall. Even the name of the stall was written in Chinese with Hindi fonts. How they managed that, I never found out. Unlike famous Bollywood stars covering the walls of the shops, it had a massive poster of a young Chinese lady dressed in anything and everything that screamed Indian giving a simple yet stern smile. She looked good actually.

The stall sold a range of summer dresses and skirts with symbolic patterns of elephants, mangoes all in the colors of orange, yellow, red, etc. Stereotypical or what?!

Lotsa newly weds were on the island having their pictures taken for the backdrop in this place was definitely very different from the rest of China. Most of the buildings here were once owned by the British during their rule on this island. The architecture still remains for it just moderately revamped into cafes, inns and hotels for tourism. Otherwise, many of these buildings, including a massive Trinity Church built by a Phillipino have traits of European architecture in them.

I call this 'Gulangyu Square'. Don't ask for the original name.

Jan and myself checked into a budget stay hotel which was kinda off the main street, away from the sea-views but closer and perhaps amongst the daily lifestyle of the Gulangyu commoner. Yes, our hotel was situated near the wet markets, the mahjong get together venue for over 60 year old men, shops with old style television mend by old couples selling basic necessities, you name it we were right beside it. There weren't exactly touristy spots but neither were entirely uninteresting. 

It provided us a glimpse of the way of life on this side of town, which albeit the language (they speak Hokkien, a Chinese dialect) were very similar to the average Chinese lifestyle.

From walking and more walking, what did I discover? No cars or bicycles are allowed on this island. Yes, they believe in being highly eco-friendly. Even the postcards were made of recycled material.

Their roads have a interesting feel to them.

However, they have recently introduced the tourist buggies which is kinda useful for tourists who have difficulty walking long hours. Otherwise, the cheap, best and possibly the only option to navigate your way around this 2km square island is by Number 11 aka as feet.

Every corner, every little cafe, has a thread with polaroids.

Advantages include loads of good photography moments, on the lookout for unique gifts as souvenirs, or even long summer dresses. Its like a trend here. Every single girl has a long colorful dress and a over the top sometimes simple summer hat even. After a while, one girl turns out to look like the other. After all these things are mass produced and this is a tiny island.

Massive Octopus at the entrance of "Underwater World"

When they run outta seafood for tourists to devour, and a storm is brewing around the island....

I think the "Underwater World" is a perfect back-up plan. :)