Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Window Views No2-China Xiamen

This week’s Window Views come from GualngYu island which is located in Xiamen, China. The photo was taken in December 2008 during my winter holidays to China. This is not even a nice shot, just one very quick snap while we were passing by this old house. 
 
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For some particular reason, I love to walk around this small island, and spend my hours just to see all the old houses and old windows…Here are some other old shots. There are so many old buildings like these on this small island.


 
 
 
 
Gulangyu is a small island (about 2 by 4 miles) only a ten minute ferry ride from bustling modern Xiamen city. This is an island which no vehicles , not even bicycles are allowed. You only can walk on the island. The beautiful buildings on the island have have very old history. It was back to the mid 1800's Xiamen was one of about a dozen cities in China engaged in trade with western countries. At that time, foreigners are only allowed  to live only on Gulangyu Island and so its architecture is western colonial mansions. Now most of the houses have been divided into multiple family homes. Some are museum, and a lot of them become a small hotels.

8 comments:

Come Away With Me said...

The architecture is truly fascinating. I love to see all the different building styles around the world. There are so many charming places to explore. Thank you for sharing these with us.

Sukhmandir Kaur said...

That's really interesting how the architectural style developed. It seems to be sort of a hybrid between west and east.

Lew said...

Great shots of the different windows! I was thinking that this buildings were not typical Chinesse architecture. Interesting history of the island town.

ellen b said...

What great buildings and windows here. Very nice...

kayerj said...

interesting architecture, I actually like the first one best. see my sepia scene & window views here Thanks!

Rune Eide said...

I glanced at the pictures before reading the text and didn't connect them with China - you text did that very well. A most interesting post of a highly historical place (and country). Keep well!

Euroangel said...

you got nice photos here..thanks for sharing and the visit!

maryt/theteach said...

Gypsy Lala, some very unusual, beautiful old buildings. Amazing they were built on an island... :)