Zhiming Institute's Three-Day Two-Night Leisurely Car Tour of Xiamen

In one's life, there will be many memories, and beautiful, joyful memories are often involuntarily revisited.

Temporarily leaving the bustling city, stepping away from the busy workplace, emptying the mind, returning to nature, and enjoying a wonderful trip is like savoring fine wine and tea—the more you taste, the more fragrant it becomes, hard to let go, enduringly beautiful!

On May 31, 2013, the capricious Shenzhen weather suddenly cleared up, and in an instant, the vast sky was washed in azure blue. With the heavens so favorable, the men and women of Zhiming Law Firm, about to embark on a three-day luxury coach tour to Xiamen, were also elated, their faces beaming with smiles. Their attire was markedly different from the usual workday wear—cool, casual, each with their own distinctive style and extraordinary charm.

Lush vegetation, emerald rice paddies, rolling mountains and rivers, azure lakes, and uniquely styled folk houses of all kinds…… Nature is like a great painter, constantly sketching breathtaking scenery before our eyes. At times, with a brush as massive as a roof beam, it conjures a great river in just a few strokes; at other times, with a brush as delicate as a needle, it carves and paints for what seems like ages before rendering a few egrets in the desolate wilderness or tossing out a few plump sheep……

After nearly eight hours of driving, the journey quietly came to an end amidst such fleeting glimpses of scenery, and we finally arrived at the first stop of our trip——the Yongding Tulou.

As dusk approached, we got off the car, shook off our clothes, and along with it, the fatigue of the journey, replaced by faces full of surprise. Led by the guide, the members of Zhiming Institute slowly approached the tulou, which exuded a historical charm.

The tulou was not tall, about ten meters high, but it won the favor of us city dwellers accustomed to skyscrapers. One by one, we instinctively pressed our hands against the earthen walls, feeling their solidity and steadiness, and the亲切 scent of the soil. Over three hundred years of wind and rain had left few traces on the walls, and the wisdom of our ancestors was both awe-inspiring and admirable.

On this magical land of Yongding, tulou of various sizes stood tall, mostly with a standard circular structure. From a distance, they looked like cute giant mushrooms. Entering the tulou, we saw old wooden beams of different thicknesses, supporting all the internal structures, appearing simple, generous, and elegantly rustic—this was the unique charm of the tulou's interior.

However, regrettably, the technique of building tulou has been lost. As time mercilessly passes, the tulou of Yongding, this World Cultural Heritage, will eventually fade into the river of history. But so what? Because we have experienced it, we remember it; it has long been deeply etched into our memory.

After experiencing the ancient charm and modern echoes of the tulou, night had fallen. After checking into the reserved hotel, the energetic young men and women gathered together to play some familiar games. Soon, laughter and joy filled every corner of the room. Their smiles were so sunny and pure, like newborn babies, carefree and laughing heartily.

On June 1st, the sun shone brightly. After a night of rest, everyone set off early the next day, bidding farewell to the tulou and arriving in the beautiful coastal city facing Taiwan across the sea, a nationally renowned tourist city—Xiamen.

Upon arriving in Xiamen, we felt the locals' overwhelming enthusiasm. The men put on hats, while the women used every means to armor themselves, from sunscreen to parasols, and so on.

The scorching weather could not dampen anyone's enthusiasm for the excursion. Braving the blazing sun and the scorching heat underfoot, everyone reverently visited Nanputuo Temple—China's earliest higher education base for Buddhism and the country's only Buddhist academy. Inside the temple, incense smoke curled thickly and the crowds surged like a woven tapestry. The people of Zhiming Law Firm engaged in Zen meditation and paid homage to the Buddha here, offering incense and prayers, allowing both body and mind to devoutly receive the baptism of Buddhist teachings.

After spending nearly an hour in the serene and solemn ancient temple, everyone then took a nearby tour of Xiamen University, renowned as the most beautiful university in the country. Xiamen University truly lived up to its reputation. Whether it was the delightful variety of buildings on campus or the crystal-clear, shimmering waters of Lover's Lake, everything was a feast for the eyes. The lake and mountains, the plants and flowers, echoed and complemented each other, creating a captivating scene that made it hard to tear oneself away.

At noon, with the summer heat at its peak, the people of Zhiming Law Firm once again visited Tea Doctor to enjoy three cups of uniquely distinctive Minnan tea. The health tea soothed their throats, the bitter root tea offered sweetness after bitterness, and the beauty tea left a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth…… Such magical Minnan Gongfu tea needed no elaboration, as it naturally inspired everyone to make purchases, so that after returning home they could recall its aroma and continue their bond with tea.

Taking advantage of the tea-tasting break, everyone rested briefly before making the most of every precious moment and heading together to the long-cherished island of dreams—the Garden on the Sea and Island of Pianos, Gulangyu. Wandering along the road known as the Exhibition of World Architecture, they admired the consulates of Britain, Japan, Spain, and other nations, as well as the Gothic-style Catholic church, and savored the salty sea breeze and soft sandy beaches. In an instant, it felt as if they had transcended the barriers of space and returned to the familiar Dameisha.

However, the atmosphere of Gulangyu Island is clearly more enjoyable. Ignoring the slightly crowded tourists, if you listen intently, piano music flows everywhere through the alleys and woods. The music moves with the heart, the scenery shifts with the eyes, ethereal melodies and romantic sea views completely empty the mind, and all the worries accumulated in the heart instantly dissipate and vanish.

At the same time, Gulangyu Island is also a paradise for leisure shopping. Shops line the streets in great variety, and the roads are intricate and winding. Fresh and delicious seafood, sweet and refreshing fruits, novel and unique toys, highly creative gifts, and stylish new clothes make everyone forget to return home, fully satisfying their cravings for food and shopping.

On Gulangyu Island, the group from Zhiming Institute played until the red sun sank in the west, and only under the repeated urging of the tour guide did they reluctantly leave the beautiful and lively Gulangyu Island.

On the passenger ferry back to Xiamen, everyone tiredly massaged their sore legs and feet while excitedly showing off the various treasures they had painstakingly found, their satisfaction evident in their expressions.

On the way back to the hotel, they took the opportunity to admire the splendid night view of Jimei School. As the streetlights first lit up and colorful lights fully bloomed, it appeared magnificent and dreamlike.

At Mr. Tan Kah Kee's Guilai Hall and Bronze Statue Square, listening to the guide's introduction of his life, everyone was deeply impressed by his selflessness and greatness. Tan Kah Kee had a strong patriotic sentiment and was a patriotic leader of overseas Chinese. He founded Xiamen University, Jimei Middle School, Xiang'an No. 1 Middle School, Jimei School Village, Xiang'an Tongmin Hospital, and others. During his lifetime, he was praised by Mao Zedong as the “banner of overseas Chinese and glory of the nation” and was respectfully called the “school founder” by the teachers and students of both Xiamen University and Jimei University.

After experiencing Mr. Tan Kah Kee's patriotic sentiments, we returned to the hotel, enjoyed a hearty dinner, and despite our fatigue, cherished the rare moments of the journey by playing games, singing songs, and sharing the joy and surprises of the trip.

On June 2, the last day of the trip, after breakfast, everyone arrived at the Island Ring Road, known as "the most beautiful colorful lovers' road in Xiamen." Built along the mountains and the sea, the Island Ring Road offers picturesque and breathtaking scenery. Here, one can take in a host of well-known sights, including the Seaside Calligraphy Square, Coconut Wind Village, Tianlaiquan, the Lai Changxing White Building, and Taiwan's Kinmen.

Riding with the spring breeze and swift horses, we took in all the sights overnight. All colleagues from Zhiming Institute, in small groups, rented bicycles and traveled light, fully enjoying the beautiful scenery and cheerful mood. At this moment, we seemed to rediscover our youth, return to childhood, and feel the childlike innocence deep within.

Beautiful moments always seem so fleeting. After the bicycle tour around the island, it was already noon. After lunch, everyone set off on the return journey.

At ten o'clock in the evening, all colleagues from Zhiming Institute safely returned to Shenzhen, marking the successful conclusion of the three-day, two-night leisure bus tour of Xiamen.

This was a wonderful trip, and also a perfect one.

No matter how time passes, we will never forget the time we spent together. Because in this time, there is joy, beauty, enjoyment, as well as emotion and warmth, and most importantly, we will share a wonderful and unique memory!

Although the excitement of the journey has ended, new excitement will continue. The Zhiming team will engage in a new round of work with greater enthusiasm and a more harmonious and candid attitude of cooperation. We will better serve our clients and the public, thereby safeguarding the firm legal faith in our hearts!