在厦门庆祝圣诞 - In Xiamen celebrating X-Mas
Christmas in China is really somewhat special. In spite of the ubiquitous Christmas decoration, Santa’s, Christmastrees and lights it just won’t feel like Christmas. Maybe it is the snow and the cold that is missing, maybe the "Glühwein" at the Christmas Market or is it just the yearly holiday Christmas reunion that lets the whole family gather once a year. Most likely a mix of all…
Since we had to stay in China and could not fly back to Germany we made the best of it, fleeing the big city once again. Xiamen (厦门) in the south of China is a great escape of the hectic, fast paced and loud Shanghai. Xiamen is a very interesting and clean town just across from Taiwan. Even better, if you get sick of traffic is to take the ferry to Gulangyu (鼓浪屿) a small islet that allows no motor vehicles. Lot’s of old clononial architecture, beaches and best of all: tranquility (at least at best as it gets in a country of 1.3 billion people 
). However I do not recommend to stay on the island since the hotels are overpriced and nothing special and there are almost no decent restaurants. I can recommend the Gem Hotel (金后酒店) that is in Xiamen city center (very good value for the money and free internet in the rooms).
Ok so much from Xiamen for today. Photos you can see later here when I get back to Shanghai.
Till then Zaijian and Merry X-Mas! 再见和圣诞快乐!
