X-Readspace (Xiao Xue Tang Chong Dong Shu Dian 晓学堂虫洞书店)

The Chinese name of this masterfully renovated two-story brick mansion, adjacent to Hai Tian Tang Gou Mansion, literally translates to “Worm Hole Bookstore.” But this business is hardly just a bookstore: the core belief of the founders is that globally disparate civilizations can interact with each other across time & space…beginning right here. The Worm Hole Bookstore claims inspiration […]

The One Place In The Life Bar (Yi Xi 一席)

This recently opened bar and restaurant took over a large swath of the island’s Xiamen-facing outdoor-bar territory between the Lun Du ferry port and the San Qiu Tian tourist ferry terminal, along the Xiamen-facing boardwalk. If you turn left as you’re stepping out of the San Qiu Tian tourist ferry terminal, it’ll be the biggest bar garden in […]

Gulangyu Concert Hall (Gu Lang Yu Yin Yue Ting 鼓浪屿音乐厅)

The premier classical music hall on Kulangsu, China’s premier classical music island, the Gulangyu Concert Hall is proof that the best things in life are free. The diverse classical and traditional Chinese concerts held here on many nights of the week—from visiting symphony orchestras to traditional Chinese music to world-class visiting soloists—are all offered to […]

Weibo Bar, Kulangsu (Gulangyu)

American hip hop and R&B greet you as you walk into this dark, eclectically decorated haunt whose name (Weibo Jiu Ba 围脖酒吧) means “scarf bar.” There’s an amusing collection of wall decorations and a periodic one-man live music show, but the real highlight of the interior is the movie screen, which plays comedies with their soundtracks […]