Yuan Zhou Chinese Tea Courtyard (Yuan Zhou Cha Yuan 园洲茶院)

One of the most exotic yet accessible experiences for tourists on all of Kulangsu is a visit to this stunningly restored family mansion, which has been converted into a tea house where you can sample a diverse array of local teas. Here you can also sit down for formal tea service at one of the […]

Sue’s Festival Gift Shop (Su Xiao Tang 苏小糖)

This candy shop is bright and welcoming, framed by a striking outdoor wall of frames with plants growing out of them. As an art installation, this wall is worth seeing in its own right, and the shop inside deserves to be called a museum. It’s staffed by a friendly group of girls in pretty turquoise […]

Li Ji Li Ji (礼即礼集)

The literal translation of the name is “gift, immediately, gift, gather,” and this popular chain, with branches all over China, does not disappoint the gift-seeker, especially if the intended recipient is a child. The highlights of the dazzling store are the immaculately detailed battery-powered wooden dioramas of ferris wheels and park scenes. Address: 103-107 Zhonghua […]

Kulangsu Supermarket (Xian Shang Chao Shi 夏商超市)

Kulangsu’s main supermarket is not huge, but it’s a great store and an essential point of reference on the island. The market is clean, well-run, and well-stocked, with fast and efficient service at the check-out lines. A good variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables is always available, along with a modest selection of mostly […]

Kulangsu Pharmacy (Gulangyu Yao Dian 鼓浪屿药店)

Kulangsu’s most central and reliable pharmacy is conveniently situated right near one of Kulangsu Town’s busiest squares, near the island’s main supermarket. It is rarely crowded, and service is friendly and efficient. Foreigners looking for particular medications are well advised to come prepared with the full Latin names of their active ingredients. A variety of […]