Explore Xiamen, China’s new capital of cool

Serenitie Wang
By Serenitie Wang, CNN
5 minute read
Published 8:25 PM EDT, Thu September 28, 2017
<strong>Conrad Xiamen Hotel: </strong>Xiamen is already home to a number of international hotel chains, as well as leading Chinese brands. Conrad Xiamen, pictured, opened in 2016 and offers easy access to the Shapowei arts district.
Conrad Xiamen Hotel: Xiamen is already home to a number of international hotel chains, as well as leading Chinese brands. Conrad Xiamen, pictured, opened in 2016 and offers easy access to the Shapowei arts district.
(c) 2017 Conrad Hotels & Resorts
<strong>Xiamen Cycling Skyway: </strong>Xiamen now has the world's longest elevated cycling route. Completed in early 2017, the Xiamen Cycling Skyway<a href="http://www.dw.dk/xiamen-bicycle-path/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> </a>stretches 7.6 kilometers and runs five meters above ground.
Xiamen Cycling Skyway: Xiamen now has the world's longest elevated cycling route. Completed in early 2017, the Xiamen Cycling Skyway stretches 7.6 kilometers and runs five meters above ground.
courtesy DISSING+WEITLING architecture
<strong>From above: </strong>The cycling path, designed by Danish firm Dissing+Weitling Architecture, is arguably the coolest -- and greenest -- way to see the city.
From above: The cycling path, designed by Danish firm Dissing+Weitling Architecture, is arguably the coolest -- and greenest -- way to see the city.
courtesy DISSING+WEITLING architecture
<strong>Coastal powerhouse: </strong>Xiamen, formerly called Amoy, was one of the first Chinese cities to be designated a Special Economic Zone in the 1970s, boosting development and opening Chinese companies to the outside world. In more recent decades, it's become a popular destination for Chinese tourists thanks to its beaches, colonial buildings and mild climate.
Coastal powerhouse: Xiamen, formerly called Amoy, was one of the first Chinese cities to be designated a Special Economic Zone in the 1970s, boosting development and opening Chinese companies to the outside world. In more recent decades, it's become a popular destination for Chinese tourists thanks to its beaches, colonial buildings and mild climate.
ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
<strong>Bailuzhou Park:</strong> A lake inside Xiamen's Bailuzhou Park. With a new metro system debuting this year, along with the world's longest elevated cycling path and blooming creative industries, Xiamen's become a heartland for hip young Chinese.
Bailuzhou Park: A lake inside Xiamen's Bailuzhou Park. With a new metro system debuting this year, along with the world's longest elevated cycling path and blooming creative industries, Xiamen's become a heartland for hip young Chinese.
STR/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
<strong>Shapowei: </strong>Harbor view of Xiamen's oldest wharf, Shapowei.
Shapowei: Harbor view of Xiamen's oldest wharf, Shapowei.
Patrick Armstrong
<strong>Shelter Wharf: </strong>A refurbished ship docks at Shapowei.
Shelter Wharf: A refurbished ship docks at Shapowei.
Serenitie Wang
<strong>Now an art district, too: </strong>Shapowei, the oldest wharf area of Xiamen, has been transformed into a bustling creative hub.
Now an art district, too: Shapowei, the oldest wharf area of Xiamen, has been transformed into a bustling creative hub.
Serenitie Wang
<strong>Ding'aozai Cat Street:</strong> Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street has become a new Internet favorite thanks to its cat-themed street art and boutiques.
Ding'aozai Cat Street: Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street has become a new Internet favorite thanks to its cat-themed street art and boutiques.
Guo Mingming
<strong>Uncle Cat: </strong>It all started with Guo Mingming, aka "Uncle Cat." A homegrown Xiamen artist, he paints cat murals on Ding'aozai Street.
Uncle Cat: It all started with Guo Mingming, aka "Uncle Cat." A homegrown Xiamen artist, he paints cat murals on Ding'aozai Street.
Guo Mingming
<strong>Meow Mix:</strong> Traditional Han-style lanterns hang overhead on Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street. Each cat-themed lantern features a Chinese character representing a good quality or wish.
Meow Mix: Traditional Han-style lanterns hang overhead on Xiamen's Ding'aozai Cat Street. Each cat-themed lantern features a Chinese character representing a good quality or wish.
Guo Mingming
<strong>A community of cat lovers: </strong>Volunteers from local colleges paint murals on Ding'aozai Cat Street.
A community of cat lovers: Volunteers from local colleges paint murals on Ding'aozai Cat Street.
Guo Mingming
<strong>Cat Museum: </strong>Xiamen's Cat Museum features a cafe serving cat-themed coffee and cookies.
Cat Museum: Xiamen's Cat Museum features a cafe serving cat-themed coffee and cookies.
Guo Mingming
<strong>Nanputuo Temple:</strong> Statues of gods sit under a rock at Xiamen's Nanputuo Temple.
Nanputuo Temple: Statues of gods sit under a rock at Xiamen's Nanputuo Temple.
STR/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
<strong>Classic vibes: </strong>People<strong> </strong>chat on the street late into the evening.
Classic vibes: People chat on the street late into the evening.
ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA
<strong>Shapowei Market: </strong>Skateboards with original designs at the Shapowei local market.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations/china">Want to learn more about traveling to China? Check out CNN Travel's China page here.</a>
Shapowei Market: Skateboards with original designs at the Shapowei local market.

Want to learn more about traveling to China? Check out CNN Travel's China page here.
Shapowei Art Zone
Xiamen: China's hippest new destination
Xiamen, Fujian Province CNN  — 

Chinese travelers have long been attracted to Xiamen, a beautiful port city in southeast China’s Fujian province.

Its allure? The perfect mix of urban energy and laid-back vibes.

With a new metro system due to open at the end of this year, the world’s longest elevated cycling path and blooming creative industries, Xiamen’s become a heartland for fashionable young Chinese.

World’s longest elevated cycling path

It’s not an official hipster city if it doesn’t have a proper cycling path. Xiamen now boasts the world’s longest elevated cycling route.

Completed in early 2017, the Xiamen Cycling Skyway stretches 7.6 kilometers and runs five meters above ground.