Historic port city, modern tourist delight

One of the most livable cities nationwide, Xiamen in the southeastern coast of China's Fujian province is revitalizing itself into a top destination offering visitors from home and abroad a slow pace of life, shining subtropical sun, fresh seafood and fashionable malls.

"The city mixes the local Minnan traditions with modern elements, and integrates its natural resources and culture into urban development," said Huang Guobin, head of Xiamen's tourism bureau.

Surrounded by foothills, plateaus, rivers and blue sea, the 1,573-square-kilometer city on the west of the Taiwan Strait was one of China's earliest trading ports. It was forced open to international commerce in 1842.