Kulangsu Island

Originally established as an official International Settlement by Western merchants in Xiamen, the small of island of Kulangsu is now known as China's "Island of Music" and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Covering an area of less than 2 square kilometers, Kulangsu packs a punch despite its tiny size. In particular, the island if famous for its fusion of architectural styles, which span from the traditional Fujianese to the Western-influenced colonial. The mix of architectural cultures is so prominent here that the building style of the island has been recognized as its own architectural style proper, now known as Amoy Deco Style.

Kulangsu is also deeply connected to music. You won't find casinos or buffets here, but there are nearly 5,000 pianos scattered throughout many of the island's colonial buildings. China's fondness for piano music is rooted here, with the island having produced some of the country's most prolific musicians.

The pedestrian-only pathways zigzagging throughout the island are endlessly charming and this mixture of scenery, culture, and history draws nearly 10 million visitors to Kulangsu yearly.