Residents and tourists in Xiamen now have access to world-class art and music experiences on Gulangyu Island, with the opening of two significant cultural venues. One visitor, Cai Dongrong, expressed surprise at being able to view authentic Picasso works locally during the May Day holiday, rather than having to travel to cities like Shanghai or Beijing. On the afternoon of May 1st, Cai visited the China Art Museum Gulangyu Art Space with his child, who was captivated by Picasso's late-period masterpiece "The Soldier with a Bird."

The art space, which opened in late April, is located in the historic former British Consulate residence on the island. Originally built in the 1870s as the first consular building on Gulangyu, it has been meticulously restored and opened to the public for the first time. The inaugural exhibition, titled "From Picasso to David Hockney: Selected International Works Donated by the Ludwig Couple," features 21 pieces (or sets) of modern art treasures from Europe and America, all making their debut in Fujian Province.

Chen Bode, a long-time resident of Gulangyu, remarked on the significance of the exhibition, noting that the encounter between the century-old architecture and master artworks represents a profound "century reunion" that deepens the island's cultural heritage.

While the art gallery offers a visual feast, another new landmark opened on the same day, providing an auditory experience. On May 1st, China's first dedicated film music museum, the Gulangyu China Film Music Museum, began a trial operation in the restored former U.S. Consulate building near Sanqiutian Pier. Constructed in 1929, this historic building is also opening to the public for the first time following renovation. The museum houses over 100 segments of classic film audio and video, rare documents, and original records, with interactive stations allowing visitors to select and play content. The interactive area proved highly popular, with many tourists humming along softly to the music.

During the May Day holiday, the two new cultural landmarks quickly became popular destinations on Gulangyu, contributing to an upgrade in cultural tourism consumption. Leveraging the new venues and the island's rich cultural resources, the scenic area has launched a series of products including collector's vinyl records, intangible cultural heritage souvenirs, art derivatives, and themed cultural creations inspired by the "Piano Island." Cultural creativity is now emerging as a new driving force for tourism-related spending.

Massive information and precise interpretation are available on the Sina Finance App.