Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement
Gulangyu is a small island at the mouth of the Jiulong River, across from the city of Xiamen. With Xiamen opened as a port in 1843 and the establishment of an international concession in 1903, this island off the southern coast of the Chinese Empire became an important window for Sino-foreign exchanges overnight. Gulangyu is a prime example of the cultural fusion that resulted from these exchanges, which is still clearly visible in its urban structure. The architectural styles here are diverse, including traditional southern Fujian style, Western classical revival style, and balcony colonial style. The best example of this fusion of styles is a new architectural movement, the Xiamen Deco style, which is a synthesis of modernist style and art deco in the early 20th century.