The United Kingdom also acquired a beach on the coast of Xiamen's main island to build a British concession, while Gulangyu retained its original features.

[1] Philip Pitcher presciently notes that there was a sense that "Japan had designs upon Amoy (Xiamen), and that, if a good opportunity offered … she would step in and assume control.

Therefore, investors did not undertake massive urban planning that would diminish the modest funds of the settlement, but rather improved on the pre-existing infrastructure.

Thus, Gulangyu existed as a unique weave between the traditionalist Chinese society and the new wave of foreign colonialism.

[4] During this period, many missionaries came to Gulangyu Island, and the schools they established had a significant impact on modern Chinese education.

[5] The most important missionary school became the Anglo-Chinese College 英华书院 (now known as the Sino-Western Academy 中西学), a spacious campus near Gulangyu's Bijia Hill.