Xiamen
Jimei School Village, Xiamen
Jimei School Village sits on the mainland side of Xiamen, about 17 kilometres north of the old town, and is the life's work of one man: Tan Kah Kee (Chen Jiageng), the rubber magnate and overseas-Chinese philanthropist who poured his fortune into schools here from 1913 onward. The result is a whole district of campuses, parks and memorials built in a distinctive style that locals call Jiageng architecture — Western stone bodies topped with sweeping Chinese swallowtail roofs.
What to see
Start at Longzhou Pool (Dragon Boat Pool), the rectangular lake around which the most striking buildings stand. The schools of Jimei line one bank, their orange-tiled roofs reflected in the water, with the tall Nanxun Tower rising behind.
Jiageng-style school buildings reflected across Longzhou Pool
Walk on to Aoyuan (Turtle Garden) on the seafront, where Tan Kah Kee is buried beside the 28-metre Jimei Liberation Monument and a long wall of stone carvings tells the story of his life. Kah Kee Park and the memorial hall nearby fill in the history. The whole area is still a working education town, so you will see students cycling between buildings.
Wide view of the Jimei skyline with the Nanxun Tower
Tickets and hours
The village itself is open all day and free to wander; individual sites such as the memorial hall keep daytime hours and are also free or very cheap. Because it doubles as a campus, keep noise down near classrooms.
Getting there
The easy way is Metro Line 1 to Jimei School Village Station, which puts you within walking distance. Numerous buses also serve the area. Allow two to three hours.
When to go
Late afternoon is lovely, when the low sun catches the roofs over Longzhou Pool and the light is best for photos. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Jimei School Village free? Yes, the area is free to walk; most individual sites are free or charge a token fee.
How do I get there from central Xiamen? Take Metro Line 1 directly to Jimei School Village Station.
Who was Tan Kah Kee? A Xiamen-born businessman in Singapore who funded the schools and Xiamen University; the village is his legacy.
Highlights
- Tan Kah Kee's century-old education town in distinctive Jiageng architecture
- Longzhou (Dragon Boat) Pool ringed by orange-roofed school buildings
- Aoyuan seafront garden with Tan Kah Kee's tomb and stone carvings
- Nanxun Tower and the Kah Kee memorial hall
- Free to visit and easy to reach on Metro Line 1
Travel Tips
Come late afternoon
Low sun over Longzhou Pool lights the swallowtail roofs and gives the best reflections for photos.
Respect the campus
Classes still run here; keep your voice down near school buildings.
Combine with a meal
The student area has cheap, good local eateries — a handy lunch stop before heading back.
