Gulangyu Island is a small and tranquil island in Xiamen. It is also a pedestrian island where no vehicles are allowed. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2017, Gulangyu has a rich history to explore – with roots in Minnan fishing culture and the influx of colonial establishments who shaped the island’s architectural landscape by building consulates, churches, hospitals, schools and police stations. This explains the predominantly Victorian-era style architecture that can still be seen throughout Gulangyu.
There are also thousands of well-preserved 19th century municipal buildings, grand houses and mansions of former consulates of different countries located across the island, a real treat for travelers with an interest in cultural history.