<strong>Kulangsu: </strong>Located near Xiamen City, the small pedestrian-only island of Kulangsu was a frontier stronghold for many countries looking to enter Chinese mainland after the First Opium War (1839-1842). Only covering an area of 1.88 square kilometers, its heritage buildings are well-preserved, offering a unique example of a modernized international community in the beginning of the 20th century.
Kulangsu: Located near Xiamen City, the small pedestrian-only island of Kulangsu was a frontier stronghold for many countries looking to enter Chinese mainland after the First Opium War (1839-1842). Only covering an area of 1.88 square kilometers, its heritage buildings are well-preserved, offering a unique example of a modernized international community in the beginning of the 20th century.
UNESCO
<strong>Tiny area, huge history: </strong>With just 4,000 households on the island, Kulangsu may be tiny. But its unique features have made it one of the latest UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.
Tiny area, huge history: With just 4,000 households on the island, Kulangsu may be tiny. But its unique features have made it one of the latest UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>A walk in the garden: </strong>Shuzhuang Garden, created in 1913, was once a private estate. Now it's a seaside park, featuring dramatic Chinese-style pavilions, over-water walkways, colorful painted columns as well as the world's biggest piano museum.
A walk in the garden: Shuzhuang Garden, created in 1913, was once a private estate. Now it's a seaside park, featuring dramatic Chinese-style pavilions, over-water walkways, colorful painted columns as well as the world's biggest piano museum.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>Beautiful island: </strong>Once a great harbor for Sino-European trade, Kulangsu is now home to peaceful colonial mansions, knobby banyan trees and cobbled alleyways.
Beautiful island: Once a great harbor for Sino-European trade, Kulangsu is now home to peaceful colonial mansions, knobby banyan trees and cobbled alleyways.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>Holiday Villa: </strong>Holiday Villa, or Zhong De Ji Hotel, is one of the island's 19th-century European mansions.
Holiday Villa: Holiday Villa, or Zhong De Ji Hotel, is one of the island's 19th-century European mansions.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>The best views: </strong>The 302-foot-tall Sunlight Rock, the highest point on the island, offers views of the island's red rooftops and of Xiamen across the strait.
The best views: The 302-foot-tall Sunlight Rock, the highest point on the island, offers views of the island's red rooftops and of Xiamen across the strait.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>Trading port: </strong>"Because of its natural beauty and positioning right in Amoy's (former name of Xiamen) protected main harbor, Kulangsu became the ideal destination in Amoy to live and set up trading business and became the location for customs," Robin Goldstein, tourism spokesperson of Kulangsu Island, tells CNN Travel.
Trading port: "Because of its natural beauty and positioning right in Amoy's (former name of Xiamen) protected main harbor, Kulangsu became the ideal destination in Amoy to live and set up trading business and became the location for customs," Robin Goldstein, tourism spokesperson of Kulangsu Island, tells CNN Travel.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>'Piano island': </strong>Home to big-name pianist Xu Feiping, Kulangsu has the highest per capita ownership of pianos in China. The island is just a short ferry ride from Xiamen.
'Piano island': Home to big-name pianist Xu Feiping, Kulangsu has the highest per capita ownership of pianos in China. The island is just a short ferry ride from Xiamen.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>Kulangsu Organ Museum: </strong>A blend of eastern and western influences, the Bagua Mansion is an iconic representation of Kulangsu's early architectural style. It now houses the island's Organ Museum.
Kulangsu Organ Museum: A blend of eastern and western influences, the Bagua Mansion is an iconic representation of Kulangsu's early architectural style. It now houses the island's Organ Museum.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>Zhongde Taoist Temple:</strong> Zhongde Taoist Temple is one of the two temples in Kulangsu.
Zhongde Taoist Temple: Zhongde Taoist Temple is one of the two temples in Kulangsu.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>Pre-wedding photo hotspot: </strong>"Kulangsu is one of the most popular places in China for couples to take wedding pictures, and every day you'll see the island -- especially Guanhai beach -- full of brides and grooms in full romantic regalia for their photo shoots," says Goldstein.
Pre-wedding photo hotspot: "Kulangsu is one of the most popular places in China for couples to take wedding pictures, and every day you'll see the island -- especially Guanhai beach -- full of brides and grooms in full romantic regalia for their photo shoots," says Goldstein.
courtesy kulangsuisland.org
<strong>The richest square mile on earth: </strong>Throughout the early 19th century, this romantic settlement drew merchants, missionaries and diplomatic representatives from many European countries. By the 1920s, it was "the richest square mile on earth."
The richest square mile on earth: Throughout the early 19th century, this romantic settlement drew merchants, missionaries and diplomatic representatives from many European countries. By the 1920s, it was "the richest square mile on earth."
courtesy kulangsuisland.org