Xiamen's charming island seeks cultural heritage listing, Hu Meidong and Lu Ting report.

A popular tourist destination renowned as the "garden on the sea", Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, Fujian province will compete with nine other Chinese cultural sites to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2016.

Covering an area of 1.88 square kilometers, the island is famous for its sandy beaches, winding lanes, and diverse architecture and culture. Gulangyu first applied to become a World Heritage site in 2008.

It has to clear three hurdles before finally being recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In November 2012, it was listed on the preparatory directory for World Cultural Heritage sites in China.

There are more than 40 sites in China on the tentative UNESCO list. Ten of them - including Gulangyu, the Liangzhu Archaeological site in Zhejiang province and the Huashan Rock Paintings in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region - are seeking to become the next representative from China.

With a mixture of Western and traditional Chinese culture, the island of Gulangyu is unique, with well-crafted gardens, winding alleyways, pristine beaches, distinctive shops and diverse architectural styles. The high number of pianos adds to the charm of the small island.

In 2005, it was named one of the most beautiful districts in China by the Chinese language National Geography Magazine.

In the early days, Gulangyu was only a small fishing village.

Its distinctive development began in 1909 when it became an international settlement for foreigners.

Different from international communities in Shanghai, Dalian and Qingdao, the island was an official international settlement jointly managed by more than 10 countries.

Western culture brought by foreigners soon combined with traditional Chinese ways of life.

Popular spot

Only a short ferry ride from urban Xiamen, the province's dynamic economic and culture hub, Gulangyu is home to some 20,000 residents.

The island's full line of supplies for daily life, the tranquil environment, and well-managed traffic and municipal systems, have attracted resident celebrities including China's first Doctor of Music Chen Zuohuang, famed writer and translator Lin Yutang, and the noted woman poet Shu Ting.

In 1985, President Xi Jinping, then vice-mayor of Xiamen, said in a report that Gulangyu is one of the few places that well blends the natural view with the cultural landscape.

"Its national treasure needs unified planning and comprehensive protection," said Xi.

Early this year, a "community garden" program began on the island with deserted gardens and unused land cultivated with flowers and plants by community volunteers. The idea came from a self-governing international community in Montreal, Canada.

Ye Chonggeng, head of the Xiamen Publicity Department, said Gulangyu aims to attract more international experts and become World Cultural Heritage Site.

"Gulangyu has its own uniqueness, it's not simply a place of interest, but also residents' community. It needs balanced development," Ye said.

"It is our hope that every tourist that visits the island can understands the distinct and valuable cultural elements on Gulangyu Island," he said.

Contact the writers at humeidong@chinadaily.com.cn and luting@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/31/2014 page24)