Gulang Yu Travel Guide
Gulang Yu (Gulangyu) is a little island near Xiamen in the southern Fujian Province of eastern China. It has a small populace along with no motorized traffic and is a great diversion for tourists visiting Xiamen.
Gulang Yu is typified by old colonial buildings and souvenir shops geared to both Chinese and Western tourists. Unfortunately, Gulang Yu can become quite busy due to its location near to a large city - Xiamen - although it is very scenic and comes with nice beaches and interior.
Attractions worth seeking out on Gulang Yu include a set of nice gardens in the south of the island and the University of Design in the center, with its beautiful granite sculptures. Also of interest is a nearby ancient Buddhist temple, a piano museum and a waxwork museum. The latter has all sorts of well-known figures, including Winston Churchill.
Although a bit touristy, the Red Dragon shop near the ferry terminal is the place to head to buy some crystal. It has 2,000 types, including pure clear crystal. To get away from the crowds you need to head for the backstreets of Gulang Yu and soak up the old buildings.