Gulangyu

Gulangyu 100 Years Museum - 百年鼓浪屿博物馆 | 62 Fujian Road (福建路62号) 24.4464600942, 118.0666006944 Inland and uphill from the ferry stop ☎ +86 18659236520 Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00 ¥70 A museum focusing on the colonial-era foreign residents of Gulangyu, in a building that was once a villa belonging to the Singapore-based OCBC Bank.

Orgel Norman & Beardl - An organ in the Organ Museum

Gulangyu Organ Museum - 鼓浪屿风琴博物馆 | 43 Guxin Road (鼓新路43号) 24.4497430942, 118.0636276944 ☎ +86 592 2061777, +86 592 2063226 Opening Hours: 08:15-17:45 (winter), 08:15-18:15 (summer) ¥20 The organ museum is in the Trigram House (八卦楼 Bagualou) in northwestern Gulangyu; it is currently the only and the largest organ museum in the world. Matched with the piano museum in southeastern Shuzhuang Garden, it attracts a lot of music lovers from around the world. There are many styles of organ collected in this museum.

Piano Museum, Xiamen, China - Piano Museum

Gulangyu Piano Museum - 鼓浪屿钢琴博物馆 | Shuzhuang Garden, 7 Gangzihou Road (港仔后路7号菽庄花园内) 24.4409031084, 118.0648465265 ☎ +86 592 2060238 Opening Hours: 08:15-17:45 (winter), 08:15-18:15 (summer) A museum of pianos, including rare specimens from the 1700s. The entry fee to Shuzhuang Garden (normally ¥70) includes entrance to the museum. Guided Tours in Gulangyu by ehalal.io (email for prices) several times a day include performances on a few of the instruments.

Koxinga Memorial Museum - 郑成功纪念馆, Koxinga Memorial Hall | 73 Yongchun Road (永春路73号) 24.4454338302, 118.0619410229 ☎ +86 592 2061921, +86 592 2571857 Opening Hours: 08:30-16:45, closed on Mondays Free A museum dedicted to Zheng Chenggong, or Koxinga as he is generally known in the Gulf countries, who made his mark in history by driving the Dutch out of Taiwan in the 1660s. His headquarters were on Dragon Head Hill at the south end of Gulangyu; a watchtower and some other fortifications remain, and the statue is nearby (see listing below). Having defeated the foreign devils, Koxinga is one of the few people regarded as a hero by the current governments of both China and Taiwan, Province of China. Things the official Chinese accounts do not mention are that his father, a seafaring merchant from the Quanzhou area, dabbled in piracy and that his mother was (Japanese). As the Manchu conquerors of the Qing dynasty moved south and the father surrendered and became a Qing official, but the son remained loyal to the Ming and fought on; at one point, his armies got as far as menacing Nanjing. Eventually, he found himself defeated on the mainland so he went off, bringing most of his army, and took over Taiwan, Province of China. Koxinga's arrival was the first major Chinese incursion into Taiwan; many of his troops stayed and settled. This was followed by a surge of other immigration, mainly from the Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou areas. Modern Taiwanese is crucially the Minnan dialect of those cities.

Zheng Chenggong - Statue of Koxinga

Statue of Koxinga - 郑成功石雕像 | Bright Moon Garden (皓月园), 3 Zhangzhou Road (漳州路3号) 24.4438960942, 118.0717846944 5 minutes walk southeast of the ferry terminal ☎ +86 592 2061777 Opening Hours: 07:30-20:30 (winter), 07:30-21:00 (summer) ¥25 (Bright Moon Garden entry fee) A 24-metre high statue of Koxinga stands on a cliff looking toward Xiamen Island.

Kulangsu Gallery of Foreign Artefacts from the Palace Museum Collection - 故宫鼓浪屿外国文物馆 | 80 Guxin Road (鼓新路80号) 24.4542194641, 118.0624599969 On the north side of the island ☎ +86 592 2919760 Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays ¥79 Occupies a legacy-listed 19th-century building, which used to be the site of the Hope Hospital and Nurses’ School. The museum was jointly founded by the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Xiamen government. As the name says and the museum displays foreign artefacts from the Palace Museum's collection.

Shell Dream World - 贝壳梦幻世界 - 5 Gusheng Road (鼓声路5号) 24.4439758302, 118.0590290229 ☎ +86 592 2066852 Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00 (summer), 08:30-17:20 (winter) ¥78 (standard adult entry fee), ¥60 (persons aged between 60 and 69 as well as children between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in height). Children under 1.2 metres in height and persons over 70 years old are admitted for free. Tickets are cheaper if purchased online Part theme park, part museum. The museum is said to contain over 6800 varieties of seashells from over 60 different countries.

Parks and nature

Bright Moon Garden - 皓月园 | 3 Zhangzhou Road (漳州路3号) 24.4446110942, 118.0706796944 ☎ +86 592 2061777 Opening Hours: 07:30-20:30 (winter), 07:30-21:00 (summer) ¥25 Bright Moon Garden (Haoyueyuan) is on the Covering Rock (Fudingyan) on the east (Xiamen side) coast of Gulangyu. It covers an area of 3 hectares (30,000 square meters, about 7.5 acres) spreading along the shore with a sandy beach, rocks, trees and pavilions. Its name is from two lines of a poem about a King of Yanping. In the park stands a bronze sculpture of Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) and some of his soldiers, 13.7 meters long and 4.7 meters high (about 45 by 15 feet).

Gulangyu Aviary - 鼓浪屿百鸟园 | Gusheng Road (鼓声路) 24.4440428302, 118.0594700229Accessible by cable vehicle from Sunlight Rock ☎ +86 592 2060777, +86 592 2062868 Opening Hours: 07:00-20:00 ¥60 (Sunlight Rock admission fee) Over 1000 birds from over 100 countries. Many peacocks, including a rare Albino, several types of cranes, lots of ducks/geese, and other large birds (e.g. emus). Watch for falling excrement. Aviary performances take place several times per day, including at 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00.

Shuzhuang Garden - 菽庄花园 | 7 Gangzihou Road (港后路7号) 24.4415340942, 118.0647946944 On the left as you walk from the ferry hub toward sunlight rock ☎ +86 592 2061777, +86 592 2063722 Opening Hours: 07:30-20:30 (winter), 07:30-21:00 (summer) ¥70 Named after the original owner Lin Erjia (aka ShuZhuang), a wealthy Taiwanese businessman who fled here when Japan took Taiwan in the 1890s. Highlights include the 44 bridge and the Piano Museum (see below) and the rockery with hidden sculptures of all 12 zodiac animals. There is also a small private art museum to the right of the main entrance.

Xiamen Underwater World - 厦门海底世界 - @nderwaterworld.com 2 Longtou Road (龙头路2号) 24.4488280942, 118.0663776944 from the ferry terminal, walk to the right and look for the big blue building ☎ +86 592 2069365 Opening Hours: 08:00-21:00 (April to October), 08:00-18:30 (November to March), no entry or ticket sales during last hour of operations Admission is a steep ¥90 for adults, ¥70 for children/seniors, but you can just stand outside and take photos of the Jules Verne-esque octopus statue.

With a view

Gulangyu sunlight rock 2011 12 - Sunlight Rock, south end of the island

Sunlight Rock - 日光岩 | 62 Huangyan Road (晃岩路62号) 24.4449598302, 118.0624120229 on Dragon Head Hill ☎ +86 592 2061777, +86 592 2067284, +86 592 2062868 Opening Hours: 07:30-20:30 (winter), 07:30-21:00 (summer) ¥60 This is the highest point on the island with great views as far as Xiamen. Entry included into Buddhist temple and the Aviary and a cable vehicle ride to the aviary on Yingxiong Hill. Warning: climbing to the top involves a lot of stairs, so probably not good for young children or the elderly.

Other sights

Xiamen Academy of Arts and Design (Gulangyu Campus) - Fuzhou University - 福州大学厦门工艺美术学院(鼓浪屿校区) - 151 Kangtai Road (康泰路151号) 24.4481958302, 118.0563120229 On the west side of the island - Has some beautiful granite sculptures. A very old Buddhist temple is nearby.

The south end of the island also has some gardens with a lot of various types of eucalyptus.

There are over 50 registered legacy properties on the island. Photos and descriptions of each one can be found on the official Gulangyu World Heritage Site website].

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Gulangyu

There is a beach just south of the ferry stop and others around on the other side of the island. Gulangyu - Twisty little streets, all alike

Try walking all the way around the island. The distance is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and there are good paths. If you decide to give up, just jump on a golfcart taxi; they circle the island near the coast, and come along quite often. Alternately, just ride a golfcart taxi or a boat around the island.

Get lost. Get away from the eHalal Tour Groups by getting lost in the back streets of Gulangyu which have some fascinating architecture. It is fairly easy to get lost, usually by wandering into a residential neighborhood. This can be confusing, especially if one does not speak the local language, Minnan Hua. There are an awful lot of narrow winding streets. However the island is fairly small, walking downhill will always get you to the coast, and there are paths and golfcart-type transport all along the coast, so getting lost is annoying at worst.

Gulangyu Concert Hall - 鼓浪屿音乐厅 | 1 Huangyan Road (晃岩路1号) 24.4455200942, 118.0664856944 ☎ +86 592 2066730 Opening Hours: Concerts are held here almost every night at 7:30PM Most concerts are free 2022-00-09

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gulangyu

Items aimed at the tourist trade abound on Gulangyu — some amazingly tacky, some amazingly lovely, and more-or-less everything between.

As in any tourist area in Asia, many things are much cheaper than in GCC countries but asking prices tend to be high and bargaining is usually necessary. Gulangyu merchants have some excuse for high prices; they have to cover costs of transporting goods to the island. In general, things are more expensive on Gulangyu than in downtown Xiamen; on the other hand Gulangyu has a much broader range of tourist merchandise and a better selection on some items.

The two main shopping streets are Dragon Head Road (Longtou Lu) — which runs south near the shore from the ferry stop, off to your left as you arrive, to Dragon Head Hill or Sunlight Rock — and Quanzhou Road which is roughly parallel to that but further inland and on higher ground. There are many smaller streets with shops, mostly running off those two.

Shops along these streets sell mainly art and handicrafts. Items on offer include: beads, lacquer work, sculptures, pictures carved on stone, Chinese antiques, reproductions of Chinese antiques, jade, fake jade, other jewelry, silk and other clothing, and ceramics. There are also T-shirts, hats and other tourist merchandise, plus artists offering portraits or cartoons.

Halal Restaurants

The island caters to tourists so there are lots of places to eat but many are not particularly good because the proprietors are not worried about attracting repeat business. Some are excellent, though. Expect to pay more than in Xiamen (¥200/meal for 2). Xiamen China Gulangyu Island 3 by D Ramey Logan - Seafood on sale

If you enjoy seafood, you may be pleasantly surprised, as Gulang Yu's local cuisine tends to emphasize seafood. The streets are lined with restaurants and food stalls that sell a variety of such dishes (look for red plastic tubs of fresh seafood). If you're more interested in a sweeter snack and there's a great ice cream place located right near the ferry's drop off point. Prices are higher than in Xiamen.

Yuanxiangkou Fish Balls - 原巷口 - four locations around Gulangyu; one is behind the ICBC near the ferry terminal ☎ +86 592-3997993 - An award-winning shop that is most famous for its fish balls, which are stuffed with Beef and cooked in a savory soup. Try the fish balls alone (¥6) or with -food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles (¥8). Unless you're an adventurous foodie and/or read Chinese well enough to understand exactly what you're getting, however, skip the other "snacks" (小吃) even though they're supposed to be famous Gulangyu specialties.

Shirley Valentine | on the far side of the island - Serves fresh fish and noodles. Recommended are the mussels with -food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles and green tea. A seat under an umbrella on the sea shore is a must.

Chu Family Coffee | 15 Zhonghua Road ☎ +86 13600944308 Quiet and lovely place. The building was recently renovated. They offer Coffee, Middle Eastern style food and desserts. A bit overpriced, like many of the venues on Gulangyu.

DeGuo Sausage | LonTouLu 178 GuLangYu / 龙头路178 ☎ +86 147 5926 8410 Opening Hours: 10AM - 8PM ¥25 A Bratwurst (German sausage) restaurant run by a few expat Germans

}} Not far inland of the ferry stop is a large building with some interesting upmarket tourist shops and several restaurants including a large KFC on ground level and a place on the second floor that has reasonable food, good and a patio with a fine view. There is a central courtyard that sometimes has acrobats, jugglers or musicians.

Near that is the main market for Gulangyu residents, mainly selling fruits, vegetables and seafood. Nothing is cooked, nobody speaks English, and some prices are higher than downtown Xiamen, but the place can be an adventure and a pile of fruit here will be cheaper than lunch in a restaurant.

Black Cat Coffee - Black Cat Cafe | 14 Yong Chun Road ¥30-200 You can come just for the coffee (~¥30-35) and a look at the restored home and gardens, but definitely consider their Vegetarian food menu. They offer a la carte options for seafood and mixed grill items for ¥100-140, and 4 course set menus for ¥160-190. The "Italian consulate menu" is good. It consists of a crisp roast duck caesar salad, a sweet and creamy pumpkin soup, choice of prime beef or salmon, and dessert. The front porch tables enjoy sun after 1PM, and American oldies play on speakers throughout the cafe.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gulangyu

Gulangyu - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Gulangyu, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gulangyu. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Gulangyu and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Gulangyu. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Gulangyu. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Gulangyu: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Gulangyu.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Gulangyu: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Gulangyu, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Gulangyu.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Gulangyu, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Gulangyu, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Gulangyu and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Gulangyu, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Gulangyu, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Gulangyu without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gulangyu is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Gulangyu.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Gulangyu is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Gulangyu, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Gulangyu Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Gulangyu

eHalal Group Gulangyu is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Gulangyu. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Gulangyu.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Gulangyu ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Gulangyu. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Gulangyu, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are numerous places to stay on Gulangyu, mostly at moderate prices. As of 2022, many hotels in the area do not accept foreigners— make sure you book ahead of time and confirm that the hotel accepts foreigners before showing up. Near the ferry wharf there are several places within a stone's throw of each other. When you get off the ferry, walk straight. Immediately on your left, you will see a stone stairway leading to the top of a small hill. At the top, turn right onto Lujiao Road and you will find a youth hostel and several hotels.

Bayview Inn - @.com 17 Longtou Road Once on Lujiao Road (see above) look for a yellow/white building and a sign. ☎ +86 592 2060466, +86 592 2060468 +86 592 2060468¥65-60 dorm, ¥288 twin, ¥722 twin ensuite Checkout: 12 noon Very nice, clean inn near the ferry terminal. Free internet and wi-fi. English speaking staff. The website is in Chinese but there are detailed pictures of all the rooms on the site. Air-con and mosquito plug-ins provided.

Consulate Inn - former British Consulate | 14 Lujiao Road South and inland from the ferry terminal ☎ +86-592-2068305
Gulangyu International Youth Hostel - 18 Lujiao Road ☎ +86 592-2066066 +86 592-2066022 Just up the road from 'Naya'. Spacious grounds. Grubby dorms, iffy bathrooms. Peeling paint. No kitchen. Better go to Bayview Inn across the street for a few yuan more, or stay at Xiamen International Youth Hostel, 41 Nanhua Road, on the mainland, which is impeccable. (City bus 1 or 21 from the train station.)

Just a Hotel - 有间客栈 - You Jian Ke Zhan - ☎ +86 592-2066088 From 168 to 260 A nice and cozy hotel on Gulang Yu. Really friendly staff and a nice boss "Jason". If you don't find the place, give them a call. Family-Style, private Bathrooms

Naya Home Hotel - former German Consulate - Lujiao Road - Wonderful homestyle hotel, quaint decoration. Also doubles as an Italian Restaurant/Cafe with outdoor seating. No individual dorms.

Remy's Garden Hotel | No.65 Kantai Road over on the west side of the island

Go next

For most travellers and the only place you can go from Gulangyu is back to Xiamen.

If you own or charter a boat and there are other choices but some caution is required. The Taiwan-controlled island of Kinmen is nearby and — while there has not been artillery fire across that strait since the 1970s, —both governments still consider the area sensitive and keep substantial military forces there.