The History of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen

Historically, Gulangyu Island has long been a sparsely populated desert island. It was not until the Song and Yuan Dynasties that the name of "round sandbar" appeared, and it was not until the Ming Dynasty that the name of "Gulangyu" began to be used. Most of the islands are semi-fishing and semi-farming, and most of the original houses are very simple houses. The primitive houses in the southern Fujian triangle naturally affect the houses in Gulangyu. Therefore, before foreigners entered Gulangyu Island, the houses on the island were no different from those in the Golden Triangle (Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou) along the coast of southern Fujian. This form can still be seen in some well-preserved villages. Even on the modern Gulangyu Island, there are ancient residential buildings with two entrances and four exits.

1843- 1902 the appearance of western architecture

From the late Ming and early Qing dynasties to the Opium War, the architecture of Gulangyu began to change. After Xiamen became a trading port, foreign colonists came to Gulangyu to settle or stay temporarily. Gulangyu became their first choice for land development. Gulangyu Island has excellent geographical, climatic and scenic conditions and is very suitable for living. Up to now, 90% of the buildings in Gulangyu are residential buildings. When foreigners get their hands on Gulangyu Island, they first rent out houses and exercise the power to manage churches, schools and hospitals. After their strength developed and they were able to gain a foothold, they gradually established church schools, church hospitals, churches, holy education bureaus and consulates. Of course, the number of residential buildings such as luxury houses and villas is the largest. A large number of overseas Chinese who went abroad to make a living in the early days also returned to their ancestral home in southern Fujian after their successful careers, chose Gulangyu as the best place to stay, and invested in Gulangyu one after another and built many independent houses. Many buildings are very large in scale, surpassing foreigners, and the cost is very expensive. They often choose the best building materials and construction techniques. On Gulangyu Island, many such large independent palaces have been transformed into public buildings by the government.

In the 1920s and 1930s.

On Gulangyu Island, there are many kinds of buildings. About 70% of them were built from the beginning of this century to the 1920s and 1930s. In addition to foreigners and overseas Chinese buildings, local soldiers and civilians also built houses. Some local celebrities and wealthy families often ask foreign designers to design drawings, or apply ready-made drawings, or imitate the surrounding houses. The houses built are often large in scale, beautifully decorated and exquisitely made. In addition to residential buildings, some overseas Chinese have also invested in many public utility buildings, set up construction companies, set up some construction teams, and developed and built many blocks and stores. Famous overseas Chinese industrialists Huang, Huang Zhongxun and others have invested heavily in developing real estate, building houses and selling houses, and setting up telephone and telegraph companies, waterworks, docks and other public utilities in Gulangyu. Before the Anti-Japanese War, the buildings in Gulangyu Island were patchy and varied. During War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, some buildings were damaged to varying degrees.

After liberation, the Municipal People's Government and Gulangyu District Government took over some large buildings, and after renovation and decoration, some public places. For example, the huge "White House" building forest and the "Bagua Building" of Shou were changed into Gulangyu Organ Museum. Many large-scale mansions and villas were inadvertently created, and after several intentional transformations, they were transformed into buildings that fit their shape and function, becoming meaningful landmarks on Gulangyu Island.