how many guys in xiamen?

[ishara131]

It is well-know that xiamen is a beautiful city suitable for living and with booming economic in China. But, to my surprise, seldom foreign guys come to xiamen. When i mentioned XIAMEN to my foreign friends in our first chatting, they even do not know this city. Beijing and Shanghai are the first places came to their mind when i told them i am a chinese. Why? Could anyone be so kind to tell me ? TKS!

[adrianlondon]

I've just read about it on Wikipedia and it sounds a nice place.

"Recently voted China's cleanest city". Wow!

Will people converse in Mandarin if that's what's used by a foreigner?

[dalaowai]

I know alot of foreigners in China that know where Xiamen is. I know two people who lived out there and did business.

With that being said, there are so many beautiful places that are developing out here in China that it would be impossible to remember and name them all.

[opper567]

I've been told xiamen is a depressing and scary place from my neighbors who were born there. When they go traveling to China, they usually don't visit it.

However, this won't discourage me from visiting it on my next trip to China.

[Dani_man]

I fell in love with the city after traveling there, especially in the small islet next to it, GuLangYu, really charming. In fact, Xiamen is a popular city for Chinese tourists and it was LOADED in the ChunJie.

I guess Xiamen is not that popular because there are no temples or summer palaces... Except exploring the islet there is nothing much to do there. The place is quite developed as Xiamen was (and still) one of the most important ports in China. full of Mc, Kfc, Shops and whatever...

[gougou]

I've been to Xiamen before and I liked it a lot. But you shouldn't be surprised if people think of Beijing or Shanghai first; obviously, these cities are much more important. When you think of the US, do you think of Washington D.C. and New York City first, or of San Diego?

PS: Just yesterday someone told me that supposedly they tore down a lot of the beautiful colonial-style buildings to make way for more modern buildings. Is that true?

[simonlaing]

I think there is a Wuyi Shan, river along a section of mountain near Xiamen which is quite pretty. There are also buddhas and murals on some of the cliffs . I am thinking of traveling there for the October break.

Anyone been to Wuyi Shan the pictures on the net look pretty.

Baidu search

random web page on it

I have a french friend there as well.

Have fun,

SimoN:)

[Kristyx]

There is a Buddhist temple just outside the university gates, and the university itself is situated close to the beach.

I hear that the university campus was voted the most beautiful campus in China (?) I can't remember where I read that though, sorry.

I've only managed to contact a few people who have studied Chinese there. All love the place but the classes got very mixed reviews.

The university answers emails quickly, usually on the same day. Tuition fees are relatively inexpensive.

I can let you know more about the actual classes in a couple of months when I start.

[Lugubert]

When i mentioned XIAMEN to my foreign friends in our first chatting, they even do not know this city.

Have you tried AMOY, especially to older people?

[Dani_man]

I am thinking of traveling there for the October break

You should also stop by the Earth Buildings (土楼), special architecture built by the Hakka people (in Mandarin： 客家），near YongDing, a small city next to Xiamen.

There is a good guide for Xiamen called "Amoy" (another name for Xiamen) http://www.amoymagic.mts.cn/main.htm , written by an American professor (you can buy the paperback version too).

[ishara131]

Thanks to all you guys! You reply help me figure out some questions !

1). Reply to : adrianlondon

The local language used to be Minnanhua. Aften many people from other cities immgrating to xiamen, all people here speak Mandarin now.

2). Reply to : opper567

Yup, xiamen is not good before. but it has really changed the past 20 years. Now it is the most beautiful Garden City of China. If you want to visit xiamen in ur next trip, do remember to go to the following three places: Ten Thousand Rocks Botanical Garden, Gulanyu island and Nanputuo(Buddhist Temple near door to Xiamen University).

3). Reply to : Lugubert

Yup, i tried AMOY , still did not work

[Kristyx]

Has anybody else decided to study at Xiamen University this year? I'll be going there next week.

[Thundercat8]

Xiamen University was my second choice on university, but I chose Dalian over it, because I dislike hot and humid weather! Looks gorgeous there though.

[Kristyx]

How strange--I actually wish I'd decided to go to Dalian! haha I'm having a nightmare time trying to find somewhere to live in Xiamen.

[bluewhale05_05]

Xiamen University is one of the key universityes in China.Some of its majors are even better than Beking University.

I helped two of my friends finding apartments,and I got experiences.

If you have to find an accommodation through an agency(If you can find one without it,you'd better not do that),bargain with the agency,and you don't need to pay that much.

Xiamen is my hometown,but I am going to leave here very soom.

Poor thing...

[Kristyx]

how do you cope with the heat here? I've very dehydrated even though I'm constantly drinking water!

[bluewhale05_05]

Are you here now?It is cloudy and rainy these days,not really hot.

I lived here for a long time,so I don't feel like that.

[Kristyx]

when you come from a 17degrees humidity free England the weather here is a bit of a shock. So yes, we think it's hot here

[Sonic133]

hi, can anyone tell me the email adress of Xiamen Daxue that I should use to ask for info? Because I've already sent 2 emails asking about one semester chinese language courses and fees but i still cant get no answer.

thanks:)

[Kristyx]

try emailing your questions to both these addresses

admission@xmu.edu.cn

oec@xmu.edu.cn

I used to use the oec one and always got a speedy reply. It's very busy here right now as we only enrolled and had our placement tests this week. So this week probabaly wasn't the best time to get a quick response. It might be better to leave it for a week or two and try again.