| Duration | |
| Adventure |
Zhongshan walking street
I knew this was going to be touristy but I was pleasantly surprised.
The vibe was chill, the buildings full of charm and overall, a nice change from the shopping streets you find all over China.
The vibe was chill, the buildings full of charm and overall, a nice change from the shopping streets you find all over China.
Xiao long bao place
I keep running into places I love on the first night of my trips !
A simple place, clean, spacious, with relaxing music and a lovely hardworking duo.
A simple place, clean, spacious, with relaxing music and a lovely hardworking duo.
Happy Meal
The next day, another small shop run by a lovely couple.
The first 2 days sold me on Xiamen.
I came back 3 times to this place and 3 times to the other one.
The first 2 days sold me on Xiamen.
I came back 3 times to this place and 3 times to the other one.
Xiamen parks
China has the most beautiful city parks I have seen in my travels.
They are huge, well maintained, with great facilities.
They are widely used, by all ages, and still feel peaceful.
They are huge, well maintained, with great facilities.
They are widely used, by all ages, and still feel peaceful.
Muslim dancing
One of the things you see in the parks.
Xiamen library
Things just keep getting better.
The library was incredible for me. Modern, bright, spacious, and despite the hundreds of people using it every day, super quiet.
The staff was lovely too. Seeing how I could say "hello", and probably curious about a foreigner using the library so much, the entrance guards were always trying to make conversation with me in Chinese. I wanted to take a picture with them, but unfortunately they were too shy. Hopefully next time !
The library was incredible for me. Modern, bright, spacious, and despite the hundreds of people using it every day, super quiet.
The staff was lovely too. Seeing how I could say "hello", and probably curious about a foreigner using the library so much, the entrance guards were always trying to make conversation with me in Chinese. I wanted to take a picture with them, but unfortunately they were too shy. Hopefully next time !
Laptop repair
My laptop was having a screen backlight issue and it was getting worse. So I decide to try my luck in a ASUS store.
They say it can be fixed in 30 minutes. The store was located in one of those iconic tech markets where you can find hundreds of small repair shops and spare part vendors. Having my laptop repaired by a chinese geek in one of those, absolutely !
The repair guy replaces my screen in front of me. 20 minutes later, for a fraction of the cost I would have paid in Belgium, I have a new screen !
They say it can be fixed in 30 minutes. The store was located in one of those iconic tech markets where you can find hundreds of small repair shops and spare part vendors. Having my laptop repaired by a chinese geek in one of those, absolutely !
The repair guy replaces my screen in front of me. 20 minutes later, for a fraction of the cost I would have paid in Belgium, I have a new screen !
Xiamen coast
I changed hotel a few times to discover different parts of town.
This area was outside of the city center, in a beachfront neighborhood, mainly for local tourism and family days at the beach on weekends. It was another nice surprise !
This area was outside of the city center, in a beachfront neighborhood, mainly for local tourism and family days at the beach on weekends. It was another nice surprise !
Amazing condo
Probably my favourite condo of my recent trips!
Tennis event
So I bought a tennis racket and asked the shop owner how I could find people to play with.
2 weeks later, I play in a local team event with some amazing players. Our team won the event and I am now a Chinese regional champion !
2 weeks later, I play in a local team event with some amazing players. Our team won the event and I am now a Chinese regional champion !
New favourite pastry
Offically my new favourite pastry. Light sticky rice cake with raisins ( Nuòmǐ gāo 糯米糕 )
Reminds me of my hometown raisin crepes (bouquettes), with sticky rice instead of flour.
Reminds me of my hometown raisin crepes (bouquettes), with sticky rice instead of flour.
Self service food
These restaurants are made for me. I can pick different things, pack on the vegetables and avoid the spicy stuff.
Every day life
Square dancing
Amazing.
Strawberries
While I was running one day, I - litterally - ran into this strawberry farm where you can pick strawberries. So cool.
So I went in and picked the best strawberries in the field !
In my travels, I have often been disappointed with strawberries, compared to the ones we have in Belgium, but these were actually really good !
So I went in and picked the best strawberries in the field !
In my travels, I have often been disappointed with strawberries, compared to the ones we have in Belgium, but these were actually really good !
Food
Bubble tea heaven
The variety of bubble tea in China is crazy.
