Xiamen

Also called Xiamen International Cruise center and Xiamen-Jinmen Passenger Terminal, Xiamen International Cruise Terminal is now a pillar of the city's cruise industry. On Xiamen Island's western side, in Dongdu, Huli District, it is designed for an annual capacity of 1.5 million visitors and is 3 km from downtown.

By the end of 2018, it could berth one 225,000-ton ship and two 80,000-ton ships concurrently. A new terminal, put in place by 2019, could turn around a 6,000-guest ship.

Use taxis for downtown Xiamen. The Railway Station <-- --> Ferry Dock journey costs about CNY 15.

Xiamen's subtropical monsoon climate brings mild weather throughout the year, except in the typhoon months, making it an ideal tourist destination. This typical littoral city has abundant attractions, including islands, mountains, temples and parks, etc., enough for a full sightseeing schedule. Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple and tourist areas such as Jimei and Wanshiyan, etc. come highly recommended. A sea tourist line also lets you enjoy amazing scenery around many beautiful small islands.

Xiamen means "door to the house", a reference to the city's centuries-old role as a gateway to China.

Try the Xiamen Sightseeing Tour Bus. Its upper deck is open, excellent on sunny days but less so in typhoons. Route 1, the "Day Tour", covers 50km in about one hour. Busses depart roughly every half hour from the People's Conference Hall between 8:30 and 18:00. The route runs in one direction only. Keep your ticket to get on and off different busses.

A taxi is generally the best way to get around the cities: they are plentiful and cheap.

Taxi drivers fall roughly into three groups:

Avoid touts: they are likely to charge multiples of the proper fare, whereas an honest cabbie can be found after walking half a block. The mechanics have build their own taximeter, with all consequences. Honest cabbie are now by far the largest group (>90%) as the Chinese government clamps down on tourist mistreatment; indeed, people become more honest the further south you go in China. Ensure the meter is switched on, or get out!

Important: buy the latest available edition of any guide book for the town you plan to visit. Construction proceeds at an enormous pace, so what is there today might not be there tomorrow. Its maps should have "english" and "chinese" characters, allowing you and the cabdriver to point at the map to communicate. Cabdrivers speak only chinese.

Gulang Island is a resort island whose principal attractions are the Guanfu Classic Art Museum, Shuzhuang Garden, Twelve Rock Caves and Gulangyu Piano Museum. It is only a 10 minute ferry ride away.

Every large tourist town has one or more shopping malls for westerners, often the only places to buy larger clothing sizes. While these malls are enjoyable, nearly everything is fake and bargaining is difficult. Often the quickest approach is to show the bills in your hand for the amount you will pay, then walk on. If they gesture you back, conclude the deal. Remain courteous at all times.

Restaurants often cluster in particular city areas, identifiable by colourful decorations designed to draw customers. Wander through and seek restaurants patronised by chinese families. Most menu's include pictures of the dishes. Seafood is generally kept alive in large tanks. Dining in China is a feast, usually noisy and with very little etiquette. Enjoy it! Drink only bottled water, including when you need to brush your teeth. Take common precautions when eating out.

The currency is the Yuan, or Renminbi RMB.

You may occasionally receive a counterfeit bill, usually in a small denomination. There is nothing to do about it; keep it as a souvenir.

Internet is very well adapted in China: even more modest hotels almost all have WiFi in rooms, while public areas have Internet stations, often free or at a very modest charge.

China's emergency number is 110; in Hong Kong and Macao it is 999.

Stores appear to have no set opening hours and seem to stay open as long as customers are present.

During Chinese New Year, about two weeks long, all Chinese are traveling and transport can become very hectic.