
The Wisdom of Fujianese|City Portrait: Xiamen - Sea Garden, Open Land
Half of the romance in Xiamen comes from the sea and the sunrise. When the eastern horizon is adorned with orange, the sea reflects sparkling lights, and this beautiful coastal city wakes up in the bath of morning light.
Garden City, Born by the Sea
Xiamen, a vice-provincial city in Fujian Province, is one of the five special economic zones in China. It is also known as the Minnan Golden Triangle Economic Zone, along with Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. Xiamen is an important coastal city in Southeast China with a unique urban layout of "sea within the city, and the city on the sea."
An egret in flight, a line of poem in mind. Xiamen Island, also known as Egret Island, is named after the numerous egrets that have been nesting here since ancient times. Another saying suggests that it is named after the shape of the island, which resembles a white egret spreading its wings.
"A city like a flower leaning against a rock, with green mountains surrounding the sea." The fresh blue and pleasant green are the symbols of Xiamen, which has earned the reputation of being a "Garden City".
A white ferry sails from Xiamen Island, and the layers of greenery are magnified into exotic old Western-style buildings. Gulangyu Island has been blessed by history, preserving buildings of various Chinese and foreign styles, earning it the nickname “Exhibition of World Architecture”. Even today, it still exudes the grandeur and splendor of the past.
The poet Wang Guozhen, who is from Xiamen, described Gulangyu Island as “the moon is fragrant, the piano is bright, and the waves are passionate”. Gulangyu Island, also known as “Piano Island”, is filled with the melodious sound of pianos drifting through its alleys, as if it possesses a natural “romantic” quality. Not only does Gulangyu Island have the highest density of pianos per capita in China, but it is also home to the largest piano museum in Asia and the only one in China, located in the Shuzhuang Garden's “Tingtao Pavilion”.
The waters between Gulangyu Island and Xiamen Island are often filled with white egrets flying overhead, hence the name Egret River is called. Xiamen Port is located along the port coastline where the Egret River meets the sea. The port area is surrounded by mountains, with wide and deep waters that do not freeze all year round. It is one of the busiest ports in the world. Boating in the Xiamen Sea, it holds the memory treasure trove of the older generation of Xiamen people going out to make money.
Some say that the soul of Xiamen Port lies in Shapowei. Shapowei, a “living fossil” hidden in the city, has now been injected with the fresh blood of revival and has become a cultural and artistic destination in the hearts of young people. Craft beer, live music, handmade markets... it gathers the trendy elements of Xiamen city. Strolling through Shapowei, one can immerse themselves in a romantic experience where modern trends intertwine with a century-old history.
In recent years, Shapowei has attracted the filming of many movies, TV dramas, and TV programs such as "Take My Brother Away", "My Girlfriend Who Goes Off Early", "Emergency Rescue", "The Beginning", "Criminal Hunting Guide", "Under the Sun" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", etc. Here, you will always encounter a sense of familiarity.
In the southern Fujian region, people rely on the mountains for food and the sea for seafood. Fried oysters are a common dish in the homes of the Minnan people. The oysters in Xiamen are particularly sweet and delicious. With the addition of sweet potato starch and fresh eggs, the crispy and chewy texture is delightful in the mouth. It is not difficult to find delicious fried oysters in the Bashi market.
The fluidity of seawater brings about the inclusiveness of cuisine. Sha Cha Noodles, a flavor originated from Southeast Asia. Southeast Asians call “Sha Cha” as “Sha Die”. “Sha Die” came to China across the sea, and because the pronunciation of “Cha” in Minnan dialect is similar to “Die”, it was renamed as “Sha Cha”. Xiamen Sha Cha Noodles, with its rich and unrestrained taste of the market, is a characteristic business card of Xiamen.
"The city is filled with autumn colors, and half is covered with flowers. In just one day, you can see all the flowers on Xiamen Island." After filling up on food and drink, you can ride along the coastal road or on the elevated bridge to see Xiamen's city flower - the purple-red bougainvillea climbing all over the streets, proudly displaying its passion."
The romance of Xiamen is divided between the sea and the sunset. Baicheng Beach is located near Huandao South Road, adjacent to Xiamen University, with convenient transportation. The sea stretches for hundreds of meters, with clear water and white sand. It is one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in Xiamen. As the curtain falls, the setting sun slowly approaches, and following the evening breeze, people arrive here. The evening glow sprinkles broken gold on the sea, and the sunset at Baicheng Beach makes people reluctant to leave.
Here, a "sand sculpture competition" is held every year, where children who have just learned to walk and elderly people with childlike innocence can show off their skills and build sand castles and carve out beautiful fairy tales in their hearts.
In the 1950s, Gaoji Seawall and Jixing Seawall were built successively. Gaoqi Seawall and Xinglin Seawall were connected by Jimei, forming a 5-kilometer-long corridor on the sea, hence the name “Ten Li Seawall” is called. With its nearby green spaces, beautiful sea and sky scenery, and the opening of Metro Line 1, Jimei District has transformed the Ten Li Seawall into the “Eye of Jimei”.
As the sun begins to set, one can take the Metro Line 1 to Jimei School Village. The metro with a sea view is passing through the sunset, and outside the window, there are sparkling orange waves, like the sunset sea in the brush of Hayao Miyazaki.
Wait for a natural sunny day and come to the Ten Li Seawall to listen to a youth concert. Young bands perform here, bringing melodious and pleasant music, accompanied by the unique background music of Xiamen's sunset. Bathed in the afterglow, sitting on the beach with friends, chatting on the grass, let the gentle sunset take away one’s fatigue of the day.
Xiamen, with its beautiful sea scenery, is truly a "highly attractive ecological garden city". Facing the sea and thriving on it, Xiamen is known for its picturesque coastal views and pleasant climate throughout the year. With its relaxed and happy lifestyle and open-mindedness, Xiamen attracts visitors from all over the world.
Culture continues for hundreds of years.
As a popular city today, Xiamen is not only known for its sunny beaches, red-brick ancient houses, and arcade villas, but also as a city rich in historical and cultural heritage. The people of Xiamen have developed a unique traditional culture through their lives and struggles on this land, including diverse Minnan folk culture, revolutionary culture that values sacrifice, and overseas Chinese culture that cherishes hometown and country.
The colorful flags on king boats in Xiamen bear the words “Dai Tian Xun Shou” (representing the emperor's inspection tour), “Bao Jing An Min” (protecting the country and its people), and “Feng Tiao Yun Shun” (favorable weather). This is a unique folk activity in Xiamen. The “Song Wang Ye” (sending the prince) is said to represent the emperor's inspection tour, symbolizing the emperor's tour around the country to reward the good and punish the evil. It embodies the good wishes of the people of Fujian to ward off evil, avoid disasters, and pray for blessings.
The “Facts and Stories of Fujian” records: In the southern part of Fujian, there is a custom of “snatching the champion cake” during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is said that the tradition of playing dice games started in the early Qing Dynasty and was invented by Zheng Chenggong to alleviate the homesickness of soldiers and boost their morale during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The essence of playing dice games is to have fun and strive for good luck. Most people believe that those who win the champion title will have exceptionally good luck throughout the year.
“One Zhongshan Road, half of the local history.”Zhongshan Road, known as the "historical vein of Xiamen," is a road that tells the history of the city. Most of the buildings on Zhongshan Road were built by overseas Chinese who returned to their hometown in the 1920s. The combination of European architectural style and traditional Minnan elements, such as the arcade, creates a unique historical charm in the old city district of Xiamen. The former residence of Chen Huacheng, the Democracy Building, and many other historical sites are preserved here. The intangible cultural heritage, such as Nanyin (southern Fujian folk music) and Turtle Cake Seal, also converge here, creating a distinctive cultural atmosphere on Zhongshan Road.
Zheng Chenggong, a patriotic general in the late Ming Dynasty, left behind heroic deeds in Xiamen. Zheng Chenggong once stationed his troops on the Hero Mountain in the southwest corner of Gulangyu Island, where he trained his army and prepared to retake Taiwan. “Facing each other across the strait, Gulangyu sings like a song.” The statue of Zheng Chenggong in Haoyue Garden faces the sea, looking into the distance, hoping for the early reunification of the motherland.
In 1927, when Mr. Cai Yuanpei came to Xiamen, he wrote a seven-character quatrain while paying tribute to Zheng Chenggong at Sunlight Rock. The main idea of the poem is as follows:
Roaring through the wind, commanding the waves, with a steady hand guiding the clouds. Insects, sand, apes, and cranes sometimes exhaust, but righteous spirits cannot be washed away.
The old fortress is still there, remembering the heroes under the sunlight rock.
Xiamen University, known as the most beautiful university in China, faces the waves of the Baicheng Beach and is backed by the ancient Nanputuo Temple. Its motto is "Striving for self-improvement, striving for the best." "The Lujiang River is deep and long, and my love is boundless." 100 years ago, during the national crisis, patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Chen Jiageng invested in the establishment of Xiamen University, which went through a difficult process. It was relocated to Changting during the Anti-Japanese War and remained steadfast in its original intention after 1949, striving for self-reliance and moving forward bravely.
The land of Heshan is fertile and talented, producing many outstanding people since ancient times.
Mr. Chen Jiageng went to Southeast Asia to seek development and achieved success, but he never forgot to contribute to the development of his hometown. In September 1912, Mr. Chen Jiageng, who was doing business in Southeast Asia, returned to his hometown of Jimei to establish education. Starting with Jimei Elementary School, Mr. Chen Jiageng founded a series of schools. Mr. Chen Jiageng dressed simply and never wore luxury brands. According to his son, Chen Guoqing, Mr. Chen Jiageng usually carried no more than 5 yuan in cash, but he invested heavily in the establishment of Jimei schools.
“I have been living in Southeast Asia for a long time, with a strong desire to serve my motherland and contribute.” Mr. Chen Jiageng saw that there were many ships sailing on the rivers, but all the navigation rights were controlled by foreigners. He believed that in order to revitalize the shipping industry, it was necessary to cultivate a majority of talents in the field. Seeing the scarcity of domestic navigation schools, he established a fisheries college in Jimei School in 1920, enrolling 45 graduates from the old-style higher primary schools. The duration of study was 4 years, and all expenses for the students were waived. Mr. Chen Jiageng dedicated his life to the education of talents for the country, and his character of prioritizing the nation and the people will forever be engraved in the hearts of the Chinese people.
This beautiful coastal city in the southeast not only attracts tourists with its unique natural scenery, but also with its long history, rich culture, and profound humanistic feelings. In the wave of urban development, Xiamen has preserved many historical and cultural heritage, retaining the tranquility of the city.
The Golden Rooster Sings, the White Egret Chirps
On the evening of November 4th, 2023, the 36th Golden Rooster Awards ceremony was held in Xiamen, China. Stars such as Liang Chaowei, Liu Dehua, Li Xuejian, Peng Yuyan, Lei Jiayin, Deng Chao... gathered in the Xiamen Island to celebrate the event.
Hosting a festival can enliven a city. Since the Golden Rooster Awards became associated with Xiamen in 2019, this artistic and fresh island city has developed a closer connection with the film and television industry. Xiamen has not only witnessed the continuous highlights of Chinese cinema but also, propelled by the Golden Rooster Awards, implemented the strategy of “promoting industry and city through festivals,” and has embarked on the path to becoming a “film city” and “capital of film and television,” becoming a shining new star in the Chinese film and television industry. The Golden Rooster has become a new calling card and symbol of this coastal city, with the brand and logo of “Golden Rooster + Xiamen” becoming increasingly prominent.
Why did the Golden Rooster Awards choose to settle in Xiamen?
Nestled between mountains and the sea, Xiamen boasts breathtaking scenery. Douyin blogger Fang Qi describes it as a place where the seasons never stop changing, yet Xiamen always seems to stay in summer. This beautiful seaside garden, with its year-round pleasant weather, has become the most stunning natural photography studio, attracting not only tourists but also celebrity film crews.
Liang Fengying, the producer of the movie "Emergency Rescue", said that their crew has been to many places, but their favorite is still Shapowei. The wind sheltered dock, filled with a sense of history, the old streets and alleys where the sea breeze blows, the coexistence of tradition and modernity, the intersection of cultural creativity and trends, perhaps this is also the reason why Shapowei has become the popular filming location for the crew.
Shapowei has the home of Duan Jiaxu in “Can't Hide Secretly”. It is the street that Shen Yi rides his bicycle home through in "Criminal Hunting Guide". It has the stone road that Lin Beixing walks on in “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. It is the place where Luo Zhi and Sheng Hainan have a date in “Unrequited Love”.
Last summer, the filming of “Can't Hide It” in Xiamen brought popularity to the crispy duck with taro paste, which not only introduced this delicious Minnan cuisine to the public, but also drove new consumption. The order volume on the Ele.me platform alone increased threefold compared to before.
The modern urban landscape, rapid development of transportation infrastructure, and economic strength of Xiamen are also important reasons for attracting the Golden Rooster Awards. The 300-meter tall “Twin Towers” is one of the iconic urban landscapes of Xiamen, giving the city a fashionable and avant-garde architectural image, and serving as a cultural carrier of the city. The independent tower has the shape of a sailboat, symbolizing “setting sail with twin sails”.
The Haicang Bridge is made up of over 10,000 steel wires. Since 1999, the Haicang Bridge has experienced multiple strong typhoons, but the bridge has not broken despite swaying during the typhoons. The Haicang Bridge is a bridge that is not afraid of typhoons and can dance. It directly connects the Haicang, Xinglin, Jimei, and Tong'an areas, transforming Xiamen from an island city into a bay city.
The setting sun casts a warm glow on the evening sky, painting a beautiful picture. At sunset, one can arrive at Niutoushan Park in Dongdu and climb up to the observation deck. From there, one could see the flow of traffic on the bridge, planes taking off and landing, and colorful cargo ships passing under the bridge from all over the world. The Haicang Bridge at this moment resembles a silver dragon spanning the waters of Xiamen, immersed in the crimson glow of the setting sun.
The Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railway is China's first cross-sea high-speed railway with a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. Its opening means that it is no longer a dream to sit on a high-speed train and see the sea. The one-hour living circle of Fuzhou and Xiamen and the half-hour transportation circle of Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou have become a reality, bringing not only the two cities closer but also the hearts of the people. The number 350km/h seems to have the magical power of time travel, as the wheels roll forward, taking us through mountains and seas, and China's speed is far ahead.
Xiamen, also known as the "Gateway to the Grand Mansion." Xiamen welcomes guests from all over the world, and its gates embrace vast oceans. Openness is an inherent attribute of this city. As one of China's international shipping centers, Xiamen has been designated by China as an international comprehensive transportation hub and a strategic pivot city for the "Maritime Silk Road."
Skyscrapers are an important indicator of urban modernization, and transportation infrastructure is a symbol of a country's national strength. Xiamen is a pearl on the southeast coast of China. According to the latest data, Xiamen's annual gross domestic product (GDP) reached 780.27 billion yuan, with a growth rate higher than the national average, demonstrating the strong momentum and vitality of Xiamen's economy.
Xiamen has always focused on the path of innovation-driven development and strengthened scientific and technological innovation. It not only has a number of high-tech enterprises with international competitiveness, but also promotes national reform pilot tasks such as the free trade experimental zone and independent innovation demonstration zone, striving to build a regionally influential innovation center and share the “Xiamen experience” nationwide.
Xiamen, a poetic garden on the coast, has witnessed the changes of a thousand years. Here you can feel the gentle breeze and admire the calm sea. The red brick style of southern Fujian blends with the characteristic arcade architecture of the Southeast Asia region, giving Xiamen a touch of artistic and fresh lifestyle.
Source: People's Daily Digital Communication Xiaoman Studio
Editors: Zhou Yuqi, Jiang Chenghua