INTERNATIONALLY- ACCLAIMED as the most beautiful marathon track in the world, the 31-kilometer Amoy Circular Road in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China, serves as the main course for the Xiamen International Marathon, and a must-see site in the southeast coastal city.
The road connects numerous attractions, including the iconic Hulishan Fortress signage declaring “One Country, Two Systems, Unify China”, an International Conference and Exhibition Center as well as temples, ancient trees, sculptures and three side plazas.
I had the opportunity to visit this famous section of road on Tuesday 27 May alongside five other Pacific journalists when we were in Xiamen to cover the 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries’ Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and it was a spectacular scenery.
The Hulishan Fortress itself was built in 1894 in the Chinese Qing Dynasty and has always been a significant landmark in Xiamen’s history. It was listed in the Guinness World Records in 2000 for its huge 19th century cannon.
The landmark signage declaring “One Country, Two Systems, Unify China” as we learned is a policy blueprint for building a modern socialist China in all respects that was delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing in 2022.
The President applauded the “One Country, Two Systems” as great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics that has proven to be the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau after their return to China, CGTN reported then. Hong Kong and Macau were once administered by Britian and Portugal respectively.
The eastern section of the road faces the scenic islands of Little Kinmen, Dadan and Eran, facilitating modern transportation and boosting tourism.
The construction of the Amoy Circular Road evidently adhered to the principle of “bringing the sea closer to the people and preserving the most beautiful beaches for the public.”
Built to high standard requirements, the road winds along mountains and sea, runs over the ocean and tunnels through rocks.
With Xiamen’s sub-tropical climate with clear skies, blue sea, sandy beaches, green landscapes and flowers blooming all-year round, the Amoy Circular Road serves as a perfect coastal corridor, integrating tourism, sightseeing and leisure.
By DELI-SHARON OSO
In Beijing, China
