Scribble

<strong>Conrad Xiamen Hotel: </strong>Xiamen is already home to a number of international hotel chains, as well as leading Chinese brands. Conrad Xiamen, pictured, opened in 2016 and offers easy access to the Shapowei arts district.

Conrad Xiamen Hotel: Xiamen is already home to a number of international hotel chains, as well as leading Chinese brands. Conrad Xiamen, pictured, opened in 2016 and offers easy access to the Shapowei arts district.

<strong>Xiamen Cycling Skyway: </strong>Xiamen now has the world's longest elevated cycling route. Completed in early 2017, the Xiamen Cycling Skyway<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.dk%2Fxiamen-bicycle-path%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> </a>stretches 7.6 kilometers and runs five meters above ground.

Xiamen Cycling Skyway: Xiamen now has the world's longest elevated cycling route. Completed in early 2017, the Xiamen Cycling Skyway stretches 7.6 kilometers and runs five meters above ground.

courtesy DISSING+WEITLING architecture

<strong>From above: </strong>The cycling path, designed by Danish firm Dissing+Weitling Architecture, is arguably the coolest -- and greenest -- way to see the city.

From above: The cycling path, designed by Danish firm Dissing+Weitling Architecture, is arguably the coolest -- and greenest -- way to see the city.

courtesy DISSING+WEITLING architecture

<strong>Coastal powerhouse: </strong>Xiamen, formerly called Amoy, was one of the first Chinese cities to be designated a Special Economic Zone in the 1970s, boosting development and opening Chinese companies to the outside world. In more recent decades, it's become a popular destination for Chinese tourists thanks to its beaches, colonial buildings and mild climate.

Coastal powerhouse: Xiamen, formerly called Amoy, was one of the first Chinese cities to be designated a Special Economic Zone in the 1970s, boosting development and opening Chinese companies to the outside world. In more recent decades, it's become a popular destination for Chinese tourists thanks to its beaches, colonial buildings and mild climate.

ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

<strong>Bailuzhou Park:</strong> A lake inside Xiamen's Bailuzhou Park. With a new metro system debuting this year, along with the world's longest elevated cycling path and blooming creative industries, Xiamen's become a heartland for hip young Chinese.

Bailuzhou Park: A lake inside Xiamen's Bailuzhou Park. With a new metro system debuting this year, along with the world's longest elevated cycling path and blooming creative industries, Xiamen's become a heartland for hip young Chinese.

STR/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

<strong>Shapowei: </strong>Harbor view of Xiamen's oldest wharf, Shapowei.

Shapowei: Harbor view of Xiamen's oldest wharf, Shapowei.

Patrick Armstrong

<strong>Shelter Wharf: </strong>A refurbished ship docks at Shapowei.

Shelter Wharf: A refurbished ship docks at Shapowei.

Serenitie Wang

<strong>Now an art district, too: </strong>Shapowei, the oldest wharf area of Xiamen, has been transformed into a bustling creative hub.

Now an art district, too: Shapowei, the oldest wharf area of Xiamen, has been transformed into a bustling creative hub.

Serenitie Wang

<strong>Ding'aozai Cat Street:</strong> Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street has become a new Internet favorite thanks to its cat-themed street art and boutiques.

Ding'aozai Cat Street: Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street has become a new Internet favorite thanks to its cat-themed street art and boutiques.

Guo Mingming

Uncle Cat: It all started with Guo Mingming, aka "Uncle Cat." A homegrown Xiamen artist, he paints cat murals on Ding'aozai Street.

Guo Mingming

<strong>Meow Mix:</strong> Traditional Han-style lanterns hang overhead on Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street. Each cat-themed lantern features a Chinese character representing a good quality or wish.

Meow Mix: Traditional Han-style lanterns hang overhead on Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street. Each cat-themed lantern features a Chinese character representing a good quality or wish.

Guo Mingming