In addition to sight-seeing on Gulangyu, we also did a bit in Xiamen proper. The city is home to about 3.5 million, a mid-sized city by Chinese standards. It is one of China’s “special economic zones,” and as such, it tends to be more affluent than other Chinese cities (again, by relative standards). We walked all around the city exploring, including on the campus of Xiamen University, which was stunningly beautiful, and doing what we do best — eating! (Full set of Xiamen photos here.)
Have you ever seen so much pork in one setting?
Zhongshan Road, the city’s main commercial district:
If I ever study in China, I want to go here, to Xiamen University. The campus is absolutely gorgeous. It even rivals IU’s.
Xiamen University’s version of the Arboretum:
A giant Banyan tree outside the university’s School of Journalism. Ernie Pyle could use one of these!
Xiamen University campus:
Best part of the trip: Finding authentic Xinjiang food. Worst part: Ordering too much to eat, and walking 4-5 miles to get there!
Sara also spent several days in Hong Kong, and I was sure to take her for dim sum, hot pot and Sichuan food, trying to give her the full Chinese experience (and convince her real Chinese food is the best in the world!). I believe we even had dumplings five times over nine days. Unfortunately I had to work most of the time she was here, but she was able to see some of Hong Kong on her own — including the Big Buddha, the Peak, exploring around Lamma and even Hong Kong Disneyland, which not even I have been to yet.
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