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"Wow," "simply stunning," and "why is that Taiwanese patrol boat eyeing us with binoculars," are some of the more common tourist reactions heard in and around Xiamen’s seemingly endless showcase of attractions. Instead of what to see the question is how to see it all. Ancient temples, classic colonial architecture, impossibly scenic parks and gardens, guided boat rides to the taunting fringes of Taiwanese controlled territory, and beaches and mountains are just a small sample of why Xiamen has suddenly become the darling of Chinese tourism.

The true essence of Xiamen and Chinese culture in general magnifies during any of its many festivals. The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, grades as the year’s largest celebration. Instead of falling on one specific day, it follows the lunar calendar and usually ignites in late January or early February. The streets become stages for musicians and elaborately decorated dragon dancers while the evening sky ministers as an ink black canvas for the kind of fireworks show that serves as a dazzling reminder that yes, the Chinese are the inventors of these color bombs. The Lantern Festival also follows the lunar calendar and also falls in February, but instead of dragon dancers the streets fill with common citizens carrying elaborately decorated lanterns. Not every festival occurs during winter as the wildly popular Xiamen Jimei International Dragon Boat Festival proves. Falling in mid-June, it is a crew race disguised as one large party. And September’s Mid-Autumn Festival involves family reunions and gorging on moon cakes.

The Nanpuoto Temple, Xiamen’s most prominent worship house, dates back more than 1,000 years to the Tang dynasty. Thanks to continuous renovations, it still acts as a functioning Buddhist temple, creating a strange mix during visiting hours between monks and photo snapping tourists. Nearby Huli Shan Fort also wanders back into Xiamen’s past, but under more tumultuous circumstances. Built in the 1800s, it features a 60-ton German made cannon that looks oddly out of place along a tranquil stretch of beach. Also in the general vicinity rests Wansai Botanical Park, featuring more than 4,000 species of lush plants, caves, pavilions and strangely shaped rocks.

Gulangyu Island falls in the "Must Visit" category. The entire island is an attraction in itself. Accessible only by ferry (the ride lasts 10 minutes), it features one of the largest concentrations of classic colonial architecture in all of China. Cars are banned, but the island is small enough to allow for enough time to walk to all of the main attractions, including Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, Sunlight Rock, the Music Hall of Gulang Island and stunningly beautiful Shuzhuang Park.

Jimei, a tiny village located on the mainland, is also filled with architectural integrity highlighted by the world-famous Jimei School Village. Also nearby is Turtle Garden, which includes a towering monument to Tan Kah-Kee, the founder of Xiamen University.

If the body pines for recreation Xiamen offers a sound choice of golf courses including the Greg Norman designed Kai Kou Xiamen Golf Club and the devilishly tricky Orient Golf and Country Club which annually hosts the prestigious Orient Masters Tournament and was recognized by the United States Golf Association as one of the "Finest 100 Golf Clubs in the World." The Xiamen beach area, located east of downtown, offers several miles of white sand perfect for swimming and fishing. If the sun glows too intensely the Xiamen Water Park’s indoor water slides and heated pools serve as perfect beach substitutes. Or if the day calls for exploring the high ground Qingyuan Mountain, located north of Xiamen outside of the ancient port of Quanzhou, possesses a fan of hiking trails through tree packed forests that stumble upon caves, misty waterfalls, and ancient relics including the Taoist designed Stone Old Saint.

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