Gulangyu Island
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Gulangyu Island (鼓浪嶼; pinyin: Gǔlǎng Yǔ) is a 1.78-kmē carfree island off the coast of Xiamen, southern China.
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Administration
In October 1945, Gulangyu became one of the first four districts of Xiamen City. However, in May 2003, Gulangyu District was absorbed into the larger Siming District (based on main Xiamen island).
History
The island became a foreign enclave following the Treaty of Nanking in 1842.
Sights
As a place of residence for Westerners during Xiamen's colonial past, Gulangyu is famous for its architecture and for hosting China's only piano museum, giving it the nickname of "Piano Island" or "The Town of Pianos" (鋼琴之鄉) or "The Island of Music" (音樂之島). There are over 200 pianos on this island.
The Chinese name also has musical roots, as gu lang means drum waves so-called because of the sound generated by the ocean waves hitting the reefs. Yu means "islet".
In addition, there is a museum dedicated to Koxinga, Haidishi Jie (海底世界) Marine World, a subtropical garden containing plants introduced by overseas Chinese, as well as Xiamen Museum, formerly the Eight Diagrams Tower (八卦樓).
Transportation
Gulangyu is connected to the main Xiamen island by a ferry.
See also
External links
- Webpage about the island, with map (http://www.amoymagic.com/gulan.htm)
- Shanghai Star article: "Gulangyu Island - Garden on the sea" (http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2003/1016/tr16-1.html)
- Shenzhen Daily article: "Gulangyu - A Piano Island" (http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/110241.htm)
- Article on newcolonist.com: "China's Carfree Town: Gulangyu" (http://www.newcolonist.com/gulangyu.html)
- Xiamen-Gulangyu ferry times (http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/index.php?p=333)de:Gulangyu