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  Jimei Tourist Area   (xm.gov.cn)  Updated: 2004-08-09 15:43  
 Jimei is a suburb of Xiamen City connected to xiamen Island by a 2,212-metre 
long granite causeway. Jimei is also the residence of Mr. Tan Kah-kee, a famous 
overseas Chinese philanthropist. Encircled by the sea on three sides, the town 
is known for its magnificent buildings combining western and oriental styles and 
picture-postcard sceneries. As a tourist site, Jimei has the following 
attractions to offer: Jimei School Village, Aoyuan (Turtle Garden) , Returnees' 
Hall, Xiamen Bridge and Wanbao Hill Sightseeing Farms.  
  
Jimei School Village
 
  Jimei School Village is a general name for all schools and cultural 
institutions here. It was built by Mr.Tan Kah-kee in 1913. After decades of 
years of development, the village now covers a building area of over 100,000 
square kilometers and there are more than 10,000 students in it. The higher 
learning institutions are Xiamen Aquatic Products College, Jimei Navigation 
Teachers College, and Jimei Finance and Economy Institute. There are also 
secondary specialized schools, middle schools, primary schools and nursery 
schools in the village. In addition to the schools metioned above, one may find 
here auditoriums, swimming pools, stadiums, cinemas, hospitals and navigation 
clubs. They are rare through out the country for their large scales and good 
facilitation. 
  Jimei School Village, blending the Chinese architectural style with 
western one, has become a symbol of Jimei. Among the buildings of unique style 
are Daonan Lou in Jimen Middle School, Nanxun Lou in Overseas Chinese School and 
the Teaching Building of Navigation College. In front of the Daonan Lou is the 
Drangon Boat Pond, 800 meters long and 300 meters wide. Around it are seven 
pavilions of different styles, with curved eaves and carved pillars. They are 
called "Seven Stars Falling onto the Ground". In the middle of the pond stand 
two pavilions designed by Mr.Tan Kah-kee, which are named "Lonely Star 
Accompanying the moon". Every year, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the dragon 
boat racing is held in the pond with shining ripples and melodious Nanqu (south 
Fujian Opera) accompanied by drumbeats. Several international dragon boat 
racings have been held here and attracted groups of tourists at home and abroad. 
 Aoyuan (Turtle Garden)
 
  The Turtle Garden was constructed in 1950 by Mr.Tan Kah- Kee on the 
former site of "Turtle Head Palace" from which came its present name. In the 
centre of the garden is the Jimei Liberation Monument with an inscription by Mao 
Zedong on the front and a tablet record written by Mr.Tan Kah-Kee on the 
back.The stone foundation of the monument consists of two stages. The lower 
stage has eight steps, signifying the eight-year Anti- Japanese War; the upper 
stage is composed of three steps, symbolizing the three year Liberation War. 
They are telling the later generations that victories were hard- won and 
therefore should be cherished. The foundation of the monument is surrounded by 
gray jade carvings and relief sculptures polished with great care,embodying a 
concentrated reflection of exquisite workmanship and a unique style of south 
Fujian stone carving art. 
 Returnees' Hall
 
  Walled by white stones and roofed with green tiles, the Returnees' Hall 
covering an area of 4,000 square metres is a typical sample of south fujian 
constructions. As the former residence of Mr. Tan Kah-kee, the building is 
marked by Mr. Tan's bronze standing statue in front. 
 At the two wings of the residence, exhibition halls were built to display 
Mr.Tan Kah-kee's life and achievements. The exhibition halls were in a 3-storey 
building with an area of 800 square metres. Articles displayed includes 
pictures, illustrations, charts, material objects, some rare cultural relics and 
the only left book of "Family Tree of Jimei's Chen's". These exhibits vividly 
presenting to the audience the whole life of Mr.Tan Kah-kee as the great leader 
of the patriotic overseas Chinese. Now here has become a certain destination for 
visitors to Xiamen from home and abroad. 
  Xiamen Bridge
 
  The foundation of Xiamen Bridge was first laid on October 1, 1987 and 
the principal part was completed in April, 1991. In May of the same year, the 
bridge was open to test traffic. Chinese President Jiang Zemin not only 
inscribed the four-character title "Xia Men Da Qiao" for it, but also came in 
person to cut the ribbon at the ceremony of putting into formal use. 
 Consisting of the main bridge body, Jimei Crossroads, Gaoqi Bridge Approach 
and the automatic managing system, Xiamen Bridge is also the first cross-strait 
bridge in China. The main bridge body is 2,070 metres long and 23.5 metres wide. 
The non-stop Jimei Crossroads is made up of seven 
 circuits. The 855-metre-long and 23.5-metre-wide Gaoqi Bridge Approach was 
built by the standard of the first class highroad. 
  Wanbao Hill Sightseeing Farm Located by the side of Guankouken inner 
road of No.324 national highway in Jimei District, the Wanbao Hill Sightseeing 
Farm covers an area of 500 mu. As the field is not very high, tourists can 
easily get into the orchard to look around. All year around fruit trees are 
planted in the garden for picking and tasting by the tourists in any month. 
There are lichee, longan, citrus fruits, carambola, persimmon, mango, 
strawberry, peaches, plums and more. 
 The farm is also equipped with a fishing pound, barbecue areas, camping 
areas, farming areas, refreshment rooms and a restaurant for customers' 
convenience and to meet their special interests. Further more, a holiday villa 
within the farm can provide lodging and all kinds of entertainments. 
 
 
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