Gulangyu Island is home to a multitude of beautiful buildings, yet Hai Tian Tang stands out for its architectural beauty. Visitors can listen to stories within the mansion, imagining the lives of people from that era. One can also enjoy the distinctive Minnan puppet shows and Nan Yin performances.
Haitian Paradise, built in 1921, is a complex of old villas located at No. 38 Fujian Road, Gulangyu Island. Its overall style is a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western architecture. You can see the traditional Chinese eaves and corners, all decorated with floral patterns or dragon motifs. You can also spot ancient Greek columns and Western-style window decorations, all perfectly integrated. The admission fee is somewhat expensive, leading many tourists to only take exterior photos without entering. However, for those interested in mansion architecture, it is worth the visit as it allows a closer look at the details of the house and guided tours (every half hour, though there’s a possibility of guides skipping tours if there are too few visitors), which help you understand the architecture and history of the mansion. If you decide to visit, you can purchase tickets through agents in advance, which are cheaper than buying on-site. There are five old villas in total, and three have been restored and opened to the public. No. 34 has been developed into a tasteful South Seas-style café, allowing visitors to experience leisurely coffee time in an old overseas Chinese villa. No. 42 has been developed into a performing arts center for the intangible cultural heritage of Nan Yin and puppetry, where you can watch performances every half hour. The puppet show is on the first floor, which is quite lively. A TV next to it plays an introduction to the performance, and after the show, performers come out to display their skills, such as balancing bowls and dancing with sticks, which is very exciting. The Nan Yin performance is on the second floor, with a very beautiful melody. The main building, No. 38, with its architectural features, has been developed into the Gulangyu Architectural Art Museum. The main building is tall and spacious, with each room having a theme display, mainly showcasing the old villas and the little-known stories of famous people behind them, full of nostalgia. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:30 all year round. Preferential policies: Children under 1.2 meters (inclusive) enter for free; children between 1.2 meters (exclusive) and 1.4 meters (inclusive) enjoy preferential tickets for the scenic area. Disabled people can purchase preferential tickets with a disability certificate. Elderly people aged 70 and above enjoy preferential tickets. Additional information: The above preferential information is for reference only, and specific information should be based on the day’s disclosure at the Hai Tian Tang scenic area in Gulangyu.
