Xiamen (10 July 2024) - 八市 (Ba Shi Market) / 胡里山炮台 (Hulishan Fortress)

We intended to visit the botanical garden for the day, but on the way, we noticed patches of dark clouds forming in the sky. Fearing that it might rain, we decided to cancel and postpone our trip. Instead, we made our way to the famous local market, 八市 (Ba Shi / No.8 Market). This bustling market is a vibrant hub in Xiamen, offering a wide variety of goods ranging from fresh seafood to local fried snacks. We tried the famous 阿杰五香 (Ah-jie Wuxiang), a fried roll with pork fillings, which was delicious. We also sampled buns from 蕙源面包店 (Huiyuan Bakery), which had an old-school taste reminiscent of traditional Singaporean buns.

After exploring the market, we took a bus to 胡里山炮台 (Hulishan Cannon Fort), an old coastal fortress built during the Qing Dynasty that once protected the city of Xiamen. The fortress visit was fascinating as we learned about Xiamen's history as an important port city. The fort features historical exhibits, including ancient cannons, and offers panoramic views of the coastline.

From the fort, we could take a coastal walk to 曾厝安 (Zeng Cuo An). The walk along the coast was pleasant, offering beautiful sea views. Zeng Cuo An is a popular tourist attraction with narrow lanes filled with shops and eateries. It is known for its charming mix of traditional and modern elements, featuring quaint houses, vibrant street art, and a variety of food stalls and boutique shops. Unfortunately, I felt it was overly touristy, with many shops selling similar items. Despite this, the place has much potential and could be developed into a trendy café area similar to Ikseon-dong in Seoul.

After dinner, we walked along the beach and saw many visitors exploring the low tide sands as the sun was setting, probably looking for crabs (赶海 / Chasing the sea). We chanced upon a musical section of the beach known as 音乐广场 (Music Square). This area is famous for providing a space for budding singers to perform, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. The square, with its live performances and beautiful seaside views, was a perfect end to our day.

We made it to the fort!!