A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gulangyu is a garden island and a living community where Chinese and Western cultures meet. Named for the waves crashing against its reefs, the island is steeped in maritime history. Overseas Chinese returned from afar, building eclectic villas and nurturing a rich piano culture that reflects Xiamen’s maritime heritage and openness to the world.

Today, red-brick houses stand alongside Western-style villas. Piano melodies mingle with the sound of the tide, while historic alleyways bustle with fresh artistic energy. Step ashore, wander the stone-paved lanes, and discover an island where history and contemporary life intertwine.