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Q: (Xiamen) Xiang'an Campus: Is there any life outside the Campus?
We are two girls from Spain that will be studying in Xiang'an Campus next semester. We have looked it up on the maps, and it seems really far away from the city center... and for what I can read on the website, Xiang'an Campus is a really big urbanization (yes, with hospitals, swimming pools, some restaurants,...) but, is it in the middle of something??? Will I be able to do something if I leave the campus, like, go shopping, restaurants, have a coffee, NIGHTLIFE... I don't know, normal life??? (I do know I am going to study but... I am a human being, I have needs)
We are going to do a Chinese language course for one year, and we have been already accepted, but now I am afraid maybe we did not choose the best option :( We spent one year in Hangzhou and it was really fun, the campus was in the city and we spent a lot of time off-campus doing many activities.
By the way, anyone going to Xiamen on September 2015?? 
Thanks a lot!!!
Alba and Carla
I stayed in XiaMen for almost two years before to come back to Italy. I studied in the Siming Campus (the one on the island) and it was really nice. I lived in HaiCang District, not too far from Xiang'An. You won't be in the middle of nowhere, don't worry about it, you just need to search.
The move from Siming District to Xiang'An, and the tuition fees increase (double than back in 2011/2013) look like there is no need of foreign students in XiaMen..
Don't get me wrong, I really love XiaMen, I am sure you will be fine!
aguirao:
Hi Antonio! I was hoping someone that lived in Xiamen could give me an answer :)
I can see HaiCan district is also out of the island, so how far where you from your home to the Campus by bus or by taxi? Is it possible to go through the bridge or the tunnel from the island to land by ebike?? How long is it?
Did you met someone living on Xiang'an Campus? Well, so you liked it in Xiang'an right? I heard it is a beautiful place, and the weather is not bad... :) I am so excited! Any advice for me? Favorite place to go or restaurant?? :) Grazie mille!!!
Antonio82:
I studied in Siming Campus, when I was there Xiang'An campus was still under construction. From where I was living to Siming campus was almost one hour, mostly because there wasn't a direct bus. By the way the public transport system is ok, there are also 3 subway lines under construction.
..if I remember it's prohibited to drive ebikes, motorbikes on the bridges, and (but maybe I can be wrong) it's prohibited also on the island.
Xiangan Campus by Yahoo-gle:
- Where on Earth is Imogen? : Xiamen University ...whereonearthisimogen.blogspot.com/2013/12/xiamen...Cached
Dec 20, 2013 · This year I am studying at Xiamen University's Xiang'an campus, a brand new campus in the Xiang'an district of Xiamen to the northeast of the main Xiamen ...
- Xiangshan Campus, China Academy of Art,...
- architecture.about.com
- › …
- › Architecture in Asia
Xiangshan Campus, China Academy of Art, 2004-2007, Hangzhou, China, by 2012 Pritzker winner Wang Shu
- Xiang'an District - Wikipedia, the free...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiang'an_DistrictCached
Xiang'an District is one of the districts of Xiamen, People's Republic of China. It is located on the mainland, and is Xiamen's easternmost district. Contents 1 ...
- Xiamen University, Xiangan Campus - Foursquarefoursquare.com/v/xiamen-university-xiangan...Cached
Xiamen University, Xiangan Campus. University. Directions. Hours: Likely open (See when people check in) People tend to check in during these times: Today. 24 Hours; Wed.
first of all good luck - you will have an unforgettable experience in China.
Secondly be aware that if you live on campus in China you will probably have a curfew - even living in an international dorm block. It varies from campus to campus.
Your previous experiences will not be the same in a smaller university.
A good friend of mine had a midnight curfew after which the block is locked-down.
Even as a teacher, i was subject to a curfew - which sucks because we are all adults.
I have experienced night life in Spain - I studied one summer in Bilbao - really enjoyable.
China is very very very different
places like coffee shops close at 10.00.
public transport end times varies, maybe as late as 10.30 in the bigger cities.
some of these campuses are well away from civilization for a reason: so students can 'focus on study'
Xiamen is a lovely city, but it looks like you will be located in the ass end of no-where.
just pray there is a regular local transport link to the city.
good luck !!
aguirao:
thanks for your advise Sorrel... not really hopeful, but helpful. As you said, every city in China works different, but everything is pretty much the same. Never heard of curfews, well, there was this Chinese guard at the door of the international dormitories at night, but.. you know, Chinese people, he was completely asleep all night with his head on the table. And you could wake him up, just say Hi and good night, and he would just smile at you and continue sleeping. I don't know if this is the type of curfew you mean... haha but is was fun.
I will pray for Xiang'an Campus to be populated, as the language course we want to do is not offered in Siming Campus (the city center campus of Xiada). Wish me luck!
Thanks!
What you call "normal life", is not quite the norm for students in China. What you call "human needs" are considered shenanigans, on a chinese campus. Your campus will be a mostly self-contained town far from the big town (ie. 1 hours of bus, or subway if you're lucky). Taxis are much cheaper in China, so I guess you will be able to escape for bar/night clubs time to time. Chinese students live in 4 to 6 shared rooms, have minimal showers, sometime without regular hot water. They don't party like you would : play card, restaurant, maybe KTV and cinema for those with some money. Imagine Spanish students circa 1950.
aguirao:
Hi DrMonkey, thanks for answering. I guess is not that bad for international students... I think we will find the way.
I was just wondering if someone living there right now could tell me how is it to live in Xiang'an Campus from a foreigner perspective.
Wish me good luck!
Best.
I stayed in XiaMen for almost two years before to come back to Italy. I studied in the Siming Campus (the one on the island) and it was really nice. I lived in HaiCang District, not too far from Xiang'An. You won't be in the middle of nowhere, don't worry about it, you just need to search.
The move from Siming District to Xiang'An, and the tuition fees increase (double than back in 2011/2013) look like there is no need of foreign students in XiaMen..
Don't get me wrong, I really love XiaMen, I am sure you will be fine!
aguirao:
Hi Antonio! I was hoping someone that lived in Xiamen could give me an answer :)
I can see HaiCan district is also out of the island, so how far where you from your home to the Campus by bus or by taxi? Is it possible to go through the bridge or the tunnel from the island to land by ebike?? How long is it?
Did you met someone living on Xiang'an Campus? Well, so you liked it in Xiang'an right? I heard it is a beautiful place, and the weather is not bad... :) I am so excited! Any advice for me? Favorite place to go or restaurant?? :) Grazie mille!!!
Antonio82:
I studied in Siming Campus, when I was there Xiang'An campus was still under construction. From where I was living to Siming campus was almost one hour, mostly because there wasn't a direct bus. By the way the public transport system is ok, there are also 3 subway lines under construction.
..if I remember it's prohibited to drive ebikes, motorbikes on the bridges, and (but maybe I can be wrong) it's prohibited also on the island.
Hiiiii !
I hope you will see this message
I'm also going to study chinese in September. I ve never been to Xiang an campus but I studied chinese in siming district two years ago. I think I will take a room or a small appartment in the island to be close to the city. The new campus makes me want to go there, but I'm tired to share my room with other, and I want to be free to go out. If you need some address for the nightlife, I know the best clubs and the favorites bars for foreigners If you have a wechat account add me : plouploum
see you maybe in september 
Xiang'an is countryside style 
...You can go downtown by bus, not sure how long it takes,maybe the BRT goes there, that's faster. I'm not sure about the campus. I've been in Xiamen for 4 years. Any questions 
- ask.
(Xiamen) Xiang'an Campus: Is there any life outside the Campus ...
Wow i’m surprised there is so little information available about this campus.I couldn’t find anything before I came here so let me share what I discovered during my study here so-far.
Currently, I have been here almost more then a week and I found tons of things to do. You do need to know a bit touristic Chinese though. Teachers nice enough to offer to be a guide, but those will be the typical chinese tourist places. But there is much more to do if you know the language a bit. (i’m around HSK3, that will get you there)
Besides the nice and free on-site Facilities (
Swimming Pool, Fitness Area, Basketball Courts, Cinema, golf and very very extensive cuisine) there is an active nightlife around and inside the campus. Xian An campus is more remote , so don’t expect to many touristic places here. This has its upsides to; things are cheaper , quiet and more cosy here (everybody knows each other) .
Then there is the main island. Public transport connections are very good :every 12 min there is at least one bus leaving towards the main campus). This takes around 40-50min. Last bus back leaves after 10pm. It will also pass the nearest mcdonalds,starbucks ,kfc, KTV (20-30min) if you feel the need for something familiar.
Most touristic places are at island where the ‘main’ xiamen campus is. (note you probably want to know beforehand which campus you’re actually go to since this was not clear for me when I applied.) There are also a-lot of foreigners who started a business so you probably meet country-folks also.
Nightlife is pretty special and browsing with activity in xiamen. Sea of food and activities and places to go (hot-springs, temples, mountains, historic places, agriculture). Gulanyu is the most touristic place so i wouldn’t be surprised about the prices. But if you move a bit away from the touristic places, things are relatively cheap compared to more inland places. BTW Sometimes there are even free parties at clubs for foreign students. So just get to know the people at campus , join the right wechat groups and you’ll be to busy to actually study. 
Hope you guys will have the same great time as me. Have fun
@ Evodude. What a wonderful answer, informative and helpful. It's a pity that the question is over 3 years old. Those girls will have moved on by now I guess.
