Saturday, January 25, 2025 – Photo of the Day – Xiamen, China

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Xiamen, China.

XIAMEN, CHINA
Xiamen is fruitful for cultural activities.
Xiamen is a major city located on the Taiwan Strait coast of China. Around 5.4 million people live here. It was established around 282AD and was a naval fortress until modern times.

Xiamen comprises Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Island, part of the rugged mainland coastal region, and a deep and warm harbor. Many endangered species, such as the Chinese white dolphin, European lancelet, and little egret, can be found in the national natural reserve region in Xiamen.

Xiamen is also fruitful for cultural activities: Naamyam, Gaojia opera, and Taiwanese opera display how the local people do musical and stage performances using different languages, tools, and clothing. Apart from Chinese traditions, other attractions in Xiamen are Western colonial buildings, a Buddha temple, a Catholic Church, and a Mosque.

SIGHTS
• Island of Gulangyu
• South Putuo Temple
• Red Dot Design Museum
• Xiamen University
• Shuzhuang Garden
• Baicheng Sandy Beach
• Zeng Cuo’ancun
• Hulishan Cannon Fort
• Music Square

SHOPPING
It is quite easy to find a place to do shopping in Xiamen. Zhongshan Road, Longtou Road on Gulangyu Island, Robinson Plaza, SM Shopping Mall are all famous shopping streets or shopping malls in this city.

Xiamen is a hub of the Maritime Silk Road. Xiamen became one of the first Chinese harbors open to the outside world; after 1980 when China carried out reform and opening up policy, Xiamen became one of the four Chinese special economic zones which were proactively open to the world.

Xiamen mainly produces subtropical fruits, fish-flavor peanuts, water chestnut crunchy candy, preserved olives, Tongan stuffed cakes, dried meat floss, mushroom and minced meat, dried marine products, medicinal foods, pearl embroidery, lacquer line carvings, colorful cloth figures, colorful clay figures and porcelain figures. Especially the handicrafts are of great varieties and are rich in local flavor and are welcome by people.

The city is known as an important collection and distribution center for export of Oolong tea to other parts of the country and overseas. In addition, as a main production center and collection and distribution of stone materials and stone carvings. Xiamen enjoys a reputation at home and abroad.

Today’s Excursion – South Putuo Temple & Xiamen
Xiamen, South Putuo Temple, Heavenly King Hall, Huge, Laughing Buddha, Heavenly Kings
One of the highlights of Xiamen, the South Putuo Temple, is located on the southern outskirts of Xiamen. Tt was built during Tang Dynasty more than a thousand years ago. We entered the front gate and walked to the Heavenly King Hall, which houses a huge laughing Buddha accompanied by four heavenly kings on either side. The South Putuo Temple is among the most renowned temples in South China. Since 1924, it has also been the home and training centre for men and women seeking the enlightened path to becoming a monk.

Coastal Drive, Beaches, Distant Islands
We drove along the coastal highway for breath-taking panoramic views of beautiful beaches and distant islands, including Gulangyu and Jinmen (Quemoy). Xiamen has been called the ‘Egret Island’ due to the hundreds of thousands of egrets that thrive in this beautiful natural scenery, fresh air, and clean environment.

Xiamen Museum, Valuable Antiquities
The Xiamen Museum is located inside the expansive Centre of Art and Culture of Xiamen. One of the most
important and comprehensive local museums in south-eastern China, the Xiamen Museum is devoted to collecting, protecting, studying, and exhibiting valuable antiquities, especially from the Fujian and Taiwan provinces.

2:00 Destination Lecture with Evelyn Evans

Hong Kong: It has, undoubtedly, changed since ‘The Handover’ to China in 1997 but still the magnificent harbour frames the skyline of architectural giants like a theatre stage. Underneath the glass and steel of its commercial persona is a dynamic
cultural landscape and its Chinese roots, British colonial connections and the contributions of the Hong Kong people can be seen everywhere.

6:15 Farewell Showtime! Silversea Proudly Presents: “Motown”

A fast-paced performance featuring this iconic music style. Followed by a farewell speech from Captain Mino Pontillo and our Farewell Crew Parade. See all crew who have been working hard to make our voyage special.