xiamen travel guide

Attractions

• Top 10 Things to Do

Transportation

• Day Tour from Cruise Port
• Day Trip to Yongding Hakka Tulou
• 3 Days Xiamen City Tour
• 5 Days Xiamen & Mount Wuyi

Xiamen Travel Guide

Xiamen facts.

Chinese Name: 厦门市 (shà mén shì) Population: 4,110,000 Area: Land Area: 157.76 square kilometers (60.91 square miles), Sea Area: 390 square kilometers (151 square miles) Location: in the southwest of Fujian Province , southeast China Administrative Division: 6 districts (Siming, Haicang, Huli, Jimei, Tong’an, Xiang’an) Area Code: 0592 Zip Code: 361000 GDP (2018): CNY 479.14 billion (USD 72.41 billion) Located at the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a tourist city of Fujian Province famous for its attractive seascape. As one of the major seaports since ancient times, it boasts a wide gulf with deep water but without freezing and silting. The name was consequently given, which means 'the gate of China'. As one of the forerunners of the special economic zones of China, the city mainly consisting of Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Island , the north bank area of the Jiulong River and Tong'an County, is connected with the mainland by the Gaoji Seawall, Xiamen Bridge, etc. The city has been called the Egret Island because of the hundreds of thousands of egrets inhabiting there. This is due to the beautiful natural scenery, the fresh air and the clean environment of the city.

Being of a subtropical monsoon climate with mild weather all year round expect the typhoon months, this city is an ideal tourist destination for you. It is a typical littoral city with abundant tourist attractions such as islands, mountains, temples and parks, etc., providing you with a full sightseeing schedule. The well-known Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple , Baicheng Beach  and other areas like Jimei , Hulishan Fortress , Wanshiyan, etc. are highly recommended for a tour. A sea tourist line is also available for you to enjoy the amazing scenery of many beautiful small islands around. Being the hometown of many overseas Chinese, this city has actually benefited from the contribution of overseas Chinese and its economy has undertaken great advancement. To promote its tourism industry, it has established not only the corresponding infrastructures, but also a great variety of entertainment centers. The folk customs of the minorities, varied local festivals and especially the particular local dishes and snacks are also appealing to visitors. This city, with distinct oriental culture and southern Fujian features, welcomes you from all over the world.

See also: 6 Best Xiamen Beaches

• Gaoqi Airport
• Xiang'an Airport
• Xiamen Railway Station
• North Railway Station
• Long-Distance Bus

Travel Tips

• Best Restaurants  
• Nightlife  
• 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Xiamen

Further Reading

10 Most Beautiful Cities in China

Gourmet Paradise: 10 Tourist Cities in China for Food Lovers

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Plan Your Trip to Xiamen: Best of Xiamen Tourism

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Xiamen Is Great For

Historical tours.

Cultural Tours

Eat & drink

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Shopaholics

• Pan Pacific Xiamen
• Marco Polo Xiamen
• Swiss Grand Xiamen
• Waldorf Astoria Xiamen
• Xiamen Airlines Hotel
• Jacky Angela Steakhouse
• INDIANO JOHN's SAMRAT
• Sham Arabic Restaurant
• FAT FAT BEER HORSE
• Golden Olives (Paragon Center)
• Gulangyu Island
• Zhongshan Road Walking Street
• Xiamen Riyuegu Hot Spring Resort Communities
• Xiamen Botanical Garden
• Nanputuo Temple
• Private Day Tour To Tianluokeng Tulou from Xiamen Including Lunch
• Private One Day Xiamen And Gulangyu Highlight Tour Including Lunch
• Private Day Tour Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster And Taxia Village From Xiamen
• Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum
• Private Old Xiamen Experience of Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Road, 8th Market

10 Top Things to Do in Xiamen

The coastal city of Xiamen, located in China's Fujian province, is a beautiful city with plenty to explore. With a long history as a colonial trading port located in the beautiful south of China, you'll find a mix of historical and natural sights. Here are our top 10 things to do while you are in Xiamen.

1. Explore Gulangyu Island

One of Xiamen's top attractions (probably it's top attraction) is Gulangyu Island. The island is famous for its mix of natural beauty, colonial-style architecture, and interesting museums, including the piano museum.

Because it is such a popular sight, it takes a little bit of planning to make sure you have tickets to go there. There are a lot of different things to do and see on the island, so set aside at least half a day to explore! Check out our page on Gulangyu Island for more information on how to get there, and what to see while you are there.

2. Relax at Nanputuo Temple

Nanputuo Temple , or South Putuo Temple, is the most famous and beautiful temple in Xiamen. It is named after Putuo Mountain, a Buddhist mountain, which it is based at the foot of.

The temple grounds have a peaceful atmosphere as they are surrounded by ponds and lotus flowers, and is the perfect spot for a stroll. As part of the temple, you'll find the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Precious Hall of Great Hero, the Hall of Great Mercy and the Buddhist Scripture Garret to explore.

3. Experience History at Hulishan Fortress

An absolute must for history buffs, Hulishan Fortress is an important historical site located on the south of Xiamen at the top of Huli Mountain, overlooking the sea. A visit is worth it just for the view over the ocean and of Xiamen.

On the site, you will find a rectangular fort, barracks, a secret tunnel, a commanding tower, a sentry platform, an ammunition depot, a castle, and more. If you visit at 8.30am, you'll find guards in traditional uniforms opening the gate to welcome visitors. This happens daily.

Check out the connecting Rongguang museum for artifacts from the site such as weaponry.

4. Take a Stroll at Xiamen University

Chinese universities are usually based on beautiful grounds, their buildings surrounded by parks, and Xiamen University is no different. Xiamen University is worth a visit if you want to go for a walk, check out the park-like grounds, or just take a look at student life in China.

Xiamen University is also special because it was the first university founded in China by an overseas Chinese, established in 1921 by Tan Kah-Kee (陈嘉庚, Chen Jiageng in Chinese) of Malaysia. The university is a mix of Western and Eastern philosophies, which is reflected in the spectacular entrance gates adorning several sides of the campus.

It is also one of the top-ranked universities in the country.

5. Go Shopping at Zhongshan Road

If you're looking for somewhere to go for a spot of shopping in Xiamen , you don't need to look further than the bright neon lights of Zhongshan Road, or Amoi Yat-Sen Road.

It is the most prosperous street and commercial center of Xiamen and the road is lined with shopping centers, cinemas, restaurants, and other entertainment complexes. This is the best place to get your souvenirs, too!

6. Check out the Fujian Tulou Clusters

Fujian's Hakka Tulou buildings are located just outside Xiamen but are definitely a top spot to visit while you are in the area.

They are unique because they are round, fort-like buildings made out of a mixture of clay and sandy soil, and are only found in this area. These rare buildings were designed by the Hakka minority of the area, and served as both large fortresses and apartment buildings in one, and were inscribed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 2008.

We recommend visiting Nanjing Tulou Area or Yongding Tulou Area (find out more here ), or you can visit these sights on a Xiamen and Tulou tour with China Highlights .

7. Enjoy the Flowers at Wanshi Botanical Gardens

Behind Nanputuo Temple, on top of the hill, you will find the amazing Wanshi Botanical Gardens , or Xiamen Botanical Gardens, which actually consists of multiple gardens merged together.

You'll move from one type of landscape to the next, enjoying plants and trees that are found locally as well as ones found worldwide, such as cacti! It is highly recommended if you're looking for a more active and outdoor activity while in Xiamen and works well after a visit to the temple.

Make sure you bring enough water and sunscreen if you are visiting in summer, as it does get warm in the park!

8. See Xiamen from Above at Zhonggu Cableway

If you want to see Xiamen from further above, go for a ride on the Zhonggu Cableway for a different perspective of this incredible city.

You can get off mid-way for a quick stroll and to take some photos of the view, and there are some rock formations to take a look at at the top of the mountain. But of course, what you came for is the view of Xiamen Island from the top.

9. See the Sunset at Baicheng Beach

As Xiamen is a coastal city, we couldn't not recommend a sunset location on the beach.

One of the best beaches for a sunset in the city is Baicheng Beach. Although you cannot swim here (it is actually prohibited), the sand is soft and it's a wonderful place to relax at the end of the day. Why not bring a picnic?

If you don't have time to go in the late afternoon for sunset, the morning is lovely too, as you'll be able to see the locals fishing off the coast and enjoy the ocean breeze.

10. Climb the Wuyi Mountains

For those looking for some more nature, the Wuyi Mountains are the perfect city escape right outside of Xiamen.

The area is known for its canyons, lush greenery, waterfalls, and unique flora and fauna, and it is best to visit between June and October. For more specifics on visiting the Wuyi Mountains, how to get there, and how to prepare for a visit, click here .

Visit Xiamen with China Highlights

We have  lots of options for visiting Xiamen , whether you are looking for a one-day, three-day, or five-day tour, or would prefer to incorporate Xiamen in a tour throughout China alongside other top cities such as Beijing or Shanghai.

If you would prefer us to tailor a tour to your preferences, get in touch here so we can keep your preferences in mind when planning your trip to Xiamen!

Further Reading

• Before getting to Xiamen, make sure you know how to get to and around Xiamen !
• Visiting Xiamen on a budget? Check out the top free things to do in Xiamen .
• The 5 Best Beaches in Xiamen

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Xiamen (厦门, Xiàmén), the island city formerly known in Western circles as Amoy, is emerging as southern China’s most sophisticated city. Chinese travelers have long understood the lure of its lengthy seaside promenade and European city architecture, but international ‘jetizens’ are now descending on the fun.

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Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Nanputuo Temple

This Buddhist temple complex on the southern side of Xiamen is one of the most famous temples among the Fujianese, and is also considered a pilgrimage…

Bailuzhou Park

Xiamen positions itself as China’s most liveable city and this huge green expanse on an islet north of town is a quiet exclamation mark on that claim…

Kaihe Lu Fish Market

In the old district of Xiamen, this tiny but lively market sells various (weird) sea creatures to a backdrop of qílóu (骑楼, shophouses) and a church…

Húlǐ Shān Fortress

Across Daxue Lu, south of Xiamen University, is this gigantic German artillery post built in 1894. You can rent binoculars to peer over the water to the…

Xiamen University

The Xiamen University was established with overseas Chinese funds and has beautiful republican-era buildings and an attractive lake. It’s a good place for…

Overseas Chinese Museum

Aside from acting as a refuge from the city, this is an ambitious celebration of China’s communities abroad, with dioramas, street scenes, photos, props…

Baicheng Beach

You can rarely swim here due to council restrictions, but there are few more convenient places in the city to enjoy a beautiful natural environment than…

Railroad Culture Park

The charming 3km walking trail on an abandoned railway track in this park makes a welcome change from the crowds of the city. It is reached by bus 1, 15,…

Latest stories from Xiamen

Aug 24, 2017 • 7 min read

It was once Japan that was famous for its high-speed train network, introducing the world to its Shinkansen, or bullet trains, way back in 1964. But while…

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Apr 20, 2015 • 4 min read

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Top 6 Luxury Hotels in Xiamen

Top 27 Best Things to Do in Xiamen

Top 14 Fine Dining in Xiamen

Top 10 Family Hotels in Xiamen

Top 14 Family-friendly Attractions in Xiamen

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Xiamen travel guide.

Experience Xiamen

Gulangyu Island

Zhonggu Cableway

Xiamen Botanical Garden

Xiamen University

Xiamen Science and Technology Museum

Sunlight Rock

Huandao Road

Hulishan Fort

Lujiang Night Tour

Where to Stay

Echeng hotel (xiamen zhongshan road kulangsu), atour x hotel, xiamen sm plaza district government, bona s hotel (xiamen gaoqi international airport), hisilk artwork center fliport coso hotel, hampton by hilton xiamen city plaza, the westin xiamen, atour hotel xiamen zhongshan road general temple, wyndham grand xiamen haicang, home inn neo xiamen zhongshan road ferry seaview store, atour hotel wuyuan bay xiamen airport, sheraton xiamen hotel, meilun jinyue hotel (xiamen zhongshan road wenzao subway station), what to eat.

cceveryday Shimao Strait Building

MIN YEN @ W Xiamen

Zui Yi Hao Seafood Stall · XiamenLocal Cuisine

Jinjia Harbor Seafood Food Stall (Zhongshan Road Branch)

Ocean View Restaurant

Linjia Minnan Cuisine(Huandao Road)

吴番婆沙茶面(金榜店)

Jiang Mu Ya A Qiang Jian Xie·Xin A Qiang Hai Xian Te Se Cai( Zhong Shan Lu Dian)

BashiAjiewuxiang

SHANG SHAN ·ZHONG GUO CHU FANG(JIAN FA JFC PIN SHANG ZHONH XIN DIAN)

ASHORE TO KULANGSU

Discover the real xiamen with a local expert.

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W Xiamen(Next to shopping center&Exhibition Center)

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Tefang Portman Seven Stars Bay Hotel & Resort· Ocean Ornate Village

Joyze Hotel Xiamen，Curio Collection By Hilton

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Lohkah on the isle

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SEASIDE ART VILLA

Soul Touch Hotel (The Consulate-General of German in Gulangyu)

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Sky High Hotel Xiamen

92 Castle Villa Hotel

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Popular family-friendly attractions near xiamen.

Quanzhou Oulebao Ocean Kingdom Paradise

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West Lake Park

Quanzhou Wildlife Zoo (Quanzhou Wildlife World)

Fantasy World Blue Mercury

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Popular premium hotels near xiamen.

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Pullman Shishi Mattison

Popular best things to do near xiamen.

Pingtan Island

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Oulebao Water Hotel Quanzhou

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Trip.com Group Country Retreats Fujian

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Xishan Hot Spring

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福州御温泉度假酒店温泉

Fengshun Jindebao Hyatt International Hot Spring

Yuanmai Hot Spring Resort

JIntangwan Hot Spring Resort

Luhu Hot Spring Hotel

Chaozhou Dongshan Lake Resort & Spa

Tianzi Hot Spring

Gui'an Hotspring Resort

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Zhaoshang Kadakaisi Meilun Resort

KAIPUU Belfry

Anxi Xiheshan Hotel

West Gulf Holiday Hotel

Lingbo Grand Skylight International Hotel (Yunshuiyao, Zhangzhou)

YORMAN RESORT

Ibis Hotel (Nanao Ocean-view Branch)

Blossom Vally Nanao,Shantou

Yigelu Yeshe Tent Campsite Hostel

Hansi Xihu Hotel (Chaozhou Ancient City Paifang Street)

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Amoy Bay Tourist Restort

The Luzerne

Home2 Suites by Hilton Fouzhou Cangshan

Sheraton Fuzhou Hotel

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Xiamen travel guide

Xiamen tourism | xiamen guide, you're going to love xiamen.

The coastal city of Xiamen (or Amoy) in southern China's Fujian province is a tourist wonderland. Galleries, cafes, bars and beaches all jostle for attention in this island city which is emerging as one of modern China's premier destinations.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Xiamen

1. its cultural attractions.

Xiamen is a sophisticated place with endless cultural attractions. Some standouts include the jade exhibits at the Xiamen Shinegood Gallery and the street painters on Gulang Yu Island.

2. Historic Attractions and Stunning Parks

From the Hulishan Fortress overlooking the strategic harbor, to the hillside Nanputuo Temple complex, Xiamen is rich in history. It also boasts green spaces like Bailuzhou Park, where every evening sees dancers take to the grass.

3. Sandy Beaches and Exciting Activities

Xiamen has a long, sandy accessible beach (and great sunbathing weather). You can lounge around or try kite surfing - a local obsession.

4. Lively Nightclubs and Music Events

Xiamen is a party town, with pulsating discos like Dushang, a cluster of clubs around Haiwan Park and a student scene around Zhengcuoan.

5. Gulang Yu

Xiamen's sister island Gulang Yu can be reached by boat and is a wonderful place to explore, with its painters, bohemian cafes and old European architecture.

What to do in Xiamen

1. the cannon extremes.

Located in a classic defensive position atop a hill, this military fort designed to protect the waterfront of Xiamen was built in 1894. China has undergone significant changes throughout its history, and this time period is one that's not always discussed as frequently, which is what makes visiting the Huli Mountain Fort such a unique experience. The fort holds some of the largest cannons in the world, but its museum also presents the smallest.

2. History Enshrined In Buildings

Also known as the Nanputuo Temple, this is a famous Buddhist temple dating from the Tang Dynasty and one of the most well known in Xiamen. Nestled among the mountains that tower around the port city, this temple is not just artistically beautiful, but gives all visitors the opportunity to savor its serenity. The temple underwent some restoration in the 1980s, which is great news because now you can really see it in its full splendor, just as the Tang Dynasty Buddhists would have wanted.

3. Artistic Graffiti

While street art may be frowned upon in some places, it's celebrated in the Furong Tunnel in Xiamen. The tunnel is around 1,000 feet long and was originally built to connect the Xiamen University campus with the dorms, but has now become a sort of urban museum for budding artists of all ages. Because there aren't many places where graffiti is so welcome, it's a unique opportunity to admire these works of art rather than scorn them.

4. Just Say Om

In many Chinese cities it can be hard to get away from the hustle and bustle to just enjoy the day and take a breather. The Xiamen Botanical Garden is the perfect place to do that, however, as it boasts hundreds of native flora and fauna specimens and more than 6,000 tropical and sub-tropical species covering nearly five square kilometers. In these quiet, magical gardens, you'll completely forget you're near a big city and not in the middle of a fairy tale.

5. The Museum Of The Obscure

China is a country where high end luxury lives alongside the quirky and sometimes downright odd. That's no bad thing, though, because this quirkiness is what brings us some of the most ingenious products and, in this case, the most interesting museums. Huaijiu Gulangyu Museum is located on Gulangyu island and it may be small, but you'll find an incredibly fascinating history and get a glimpse of what life was like in China's past. The two main focuses of this museum are pianos and old furniture, two subjects that don't sound like they would make for a particularly intriguing museum. However, the rich history of these 70-odd pianos is anything but boring. You'll also find over 100 pieces of old furniture preserved from different periods of Chinese history.

Where to Eat in Xiamen

Xiamen is a proud culinary center, with local delicacies like Xiamen fish balls and braised duck with ginger. Explore what's on offer at excellent restaurants like Zen5es, Jacky Angela Steakhouse and XiaoYan Jing DaPai Dang, or just check out the noodle shops on Zhongshan Road. Good meals will only cost around CNY80-CNY100.

When to visit Xiamen

Travel between April and November to enjoy the best weather - preferably early or late in the season to avoid the crowds.

How to Get to Xiamen

Gaoqi International Airport has links to other Chinese cities (and Seoul). Bus lines 2 and 3 run from the airport to the city center and charge CNY10 and 15 respectively. Taxis cost around CNY35.

Superfast bullet-style trains serve Xiamen. The journey from Shanghai costs CNY330 and takes about 8 hours.

Take the G25 from Shanghai, then the G72 at Yong'An, or take the G15 northbound from Hong Kong.

Buses run into Xiamen from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Fuzhou and are an excellent budget alternative to trains and flights.

Airports near Xiamen

Airlines serving xiamen, where to stay in xiamen.

Siming - Occupying the southern half of Xiamen island, Siming features attractions like Hulishan Fortress and is an excellent jumping off point for ferries to Gulang Yu.

Popular Neighborhoods in Xiamen

Jimei - Located across the water from Xiamen island, Jimei is green and prosperous, with beautiful hiking paths around the Yuewain Mountain.

Huli - The commercial center of Xiamen, Huli features mega-malls like Wanda Plaza, and it borders on the huge expanse of Xianyue Park.

Where to stay in popular areas of Xiamen

Most booked hotels in xiamen, how to get around xiamen, public transportation.

Buses cover every neighborhood in Xiamen and fares start at CNY1 per ride. Ferries to Gulang Yu cost CNY30 and are well worth the journey.

Taxis usually charge around CNY3 for the first two miles, then the rate increases (measured in kilometers) the further you travel, but still remaining affordable.

Car rental companies in the city include Li'an Car Rental, EHi Car Service and Sukeda, and you'll find packages for around CNY80 per day.

The Cost of Living in Xiamen

Shopping streets.

The most enjoyable place to shop is pedestrianized Zhongshan Road, where you'll encounter apparel boutiques and jewelry stores. There are malls to visit as well, including SM City Plaza and Wanda Plaza, where you'll find plenty of major international brands.

Groceries and Other

Supermarkets in Xiamen include Sanzhen and Carrefour. To give an idea of prices, a gallon of milk will cost around CNY40.

The Ultimate Xiamen Travel Guide for a Perfect Trip

Known as "Egret Island", the habitat of egrets, Xiamen is a famous port scenic tourist city on the southeast coast of China. This "garden on the sea" where "the city is on the sea, the sea is in the city" is not only like spring in all seasons, but also islands, reefs, rocks, temples, flowers, and trees set against each other, making it like the fairy island of Penglai embedded in the secular world. With clean streets, fresh air, delicious seafood, flavorful local snacks, comfortable slow-paced life as well as beautiful seaside scenery, it has become a mecca for petty bourgeoisie travel and one of the best cities to tour China . Here, you can feel the so-called ease, diversity, and simplicity, but also vividness, culture, and modernity. Follow the below ultimate travel guide to plan a perfect Xiamen trip!

Best time to visit Xiamen and Xiamen climate

Xiamen brief information, top things to do in xiamen, top attractions to visit in xiamen, how to get to xiamen and travel around, recommended itineraries and tours in xiamen, where to stay in xiamen, what to eat in xiamen.

Xiamen is most suitable for travel in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) , at these periods, the weather is refreshing and the temperature is pleasant, and many varieties of flowers in Xiamen are mainly blooming in these two seasons. Winter is another good time to travel there because of the warmer weather and fewer tourists. It has plenty of sunshine and flourishing flowers and trees throughout the year. The overall temperature in Xiamen is relatively mild, with an annual average temperature of 20.9°C and a minimum of 4°C. The summer here is relatively hot, with temperatures above 30°C from July to August.

Xiamen has a subtropical climate, mild and rainy, with an average annual temperature of about 21°C. There is no severe heat in summer and severe cold in winter. The average annual rainfall is about 1200 mm, with the most rainfall from May to August each year. The wind is generally level 3 to 4, and the prevailing wind is northeast. Due to the temperature difference in the Pacific Ocean, it is affected by 4 to 5 typhoons each year, and most of them are concentrated in July and August.

Chinese Name: 厦门 English Name: Xiamen, Amoy, or Hsiamen Geographical Location: Southeast Coast of Fujian Province, West Coast of Taiwan Strait Area: 1700.61 km² Population: 4.29 million (2019) Climate: South subtropical maritime monsoon climate Airport: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport Railway Station: Xiamen Station, Xiamen North Station

Integrating with the hometown of overseas Chinese, unique folk customs of Fujian and Taiwan, tasteful seaside food, and exotic architecture, even the former US President Nixon once praised Xiamen as the "Oriental Hawaii". Set foot on this fascinating land, soaking up in the bright sunshine and the gentle sea breeze, tossing in the literary and artistic shops, nostalgic in the beautiful Xiamen University, wandering in the secluded temples, taking pictures of the beautiful seaside scenery, encountering a cat or dog, such a slow life is the best travel experience this "Egret Island" can give tourists.

1. Gulangyu Island: Every street is beautiful

Gulangyu is considered to be the most anticipated destination in Xiamen. The architecture of all nations on the island has a history of more than 100 years, and you can feel the joy of appreciation when traveling through these exquisitely designed buildings and gardens.

Sunlight Rock is still the most popular attraction on Gulangyu Island for more than ten years, where you can take a perfect photo of the red roofs of the island and the coastal scenery of Xiamen. Some of the gardens, buildings, and museums on the island have their own merits and unique characteristics. You can visit them one by one on this small island on foot.

The delicacy, unique shops, and homestays have also attracted many tourists to Gulangyu Island. The food street on Longtou Road has been popular for a long time. Several shops have been popular for many years, and they are still crowded today. The newly opened stores are also not weak, from the taste of the food, the characteristics of the products to the decoration of the store, guests can experience the vitality of this island.

Photographers and photo enthusiasts can play their talents on any street in Gulangyu Island. The architecture and streetscape here are extremely photogenic. Perhaps the biggest problem is how to avoid the crowds.

2. Huandao Road: Xiamen experience by the Seaside

Rather than saying that Huandao Road is a scenic spot in Xiamen, it is better to say that this is a way to experience Xiamen. This coastal island city has a long coastline. From ancient times to the present, the lives of locals have always been closely related to the sea. To Xiamen, the seafront is not so much a landscape, it is more like a lifestyle that is infinitely close to Xiamen.

The Huandao Road is 31 kilometers long, you can walk one section or rent a bicycle for cycling. The elite section of Huandao Road includes the coast from Xiamen University to the Convention and Exhibition Center, which is called the "golden coastline" because of its beautiful scenery. If you think the roundabout road is too long, you can just punch in this part.

Along the way, you will pass some scenic spots and sculptures on the seafront. If you want to relax or step on the sea, you can rest for a while on the pebbled beach, but you must pay attention to safety near the sea.

3. Zhongshan Road: Experience the prosperity of Xiamen

If only choosing a well-known commercial street in a city, in Xiamen, Zhongshan Road should be the best option in your must-do list. This old arcade street with a sense of time is not only the old predecessors of the commercial street that can be compared with Wangfujing and Nanjing Road but also a witness to the development of Xiamen. Nowadays, with the presence of more trendy and fashionable shops, this place has developed into a unique business card of Xiamen's prosperity.

Zhongshan Road is an ideal place in Xiamen to stroll around, eat, and go shopping. In terms of delicacy, there are quite a lot of time-honored gourmet restaurants here, gathered in the "food circle" between the three parallel streets of Shengping Road, Datong Road, and Zhongshan Road. Visitors can use this as a route to taste the good local flavors. In addition, it is also the “best shopping” commercial center in Xiamen with large commercial centers and various trendy fashion brands, as well as souvenirs and gift shops that are worth buying. Many of the long-established "net celebrity shops" in Xiamen have branches on Zhongshan Road, so you can visit them all at once.

4. Minnan Old Streets: Recalling the Past of Xiamen

The southern Fujian culture is long and profound, with ancient buildings and characteristic arcade streets as the representative of it. These vicissitudes of old buildings have been perfectly preserved, showing the past of Xiamen.

With Zhongshan Road as the core, the well-preserved modern arcade is a symbol of the "old city's historical district". The mottled walls, messy window edges, and various neon signs shorten the distance between tourists and the old Xiamen and also give tourists a unique experience of breaking into the old days.

The old streets in this area are distributed in "four verticals and one horizontal", including Zhongshan Road and West Xiahe, Datong Road, Siming West Road, Siming South Road, and Siming North Road.

5. Xiamen University: a refreshing student era

Known as one of the "most beautiful university campuses in China", although it is a university, Xiamen University is a must-see for travelers to Xiamen. Xiamen University has a history of more than a hundred years, and there are still many historical buildings. The vitality of the students on the campus is intertwined with the deep heritage here so that visitors will not miss their student days and have a beautiful illusion of returning to the campus and waiting for class.

1. Gulangyu Island

Located in the southwest corner of Xiamen Island and declared as the “World Cultural Heritage” in 2017. The exquisite bungalows on the island, the age-like architecture, and nature are just right, and you can feel a pleasant old time while walking around. With Longtou Road as the core is the commercial center of Gulangyu Island, countless specialty gift shops, coffee shops, and various snack bars make this the noisiest area. Buying a "Chapter Book" and stamping it in each shop is also an essential experience in Gulangyu. In addition, there is a collection of popular attractions such as Shuzhuang Garden, Sunlight Rock, Haoyue Garden, Piano Museum, etc.

2. South Putuo Temple

A famous temple in southern Fujian offers excellent scenery with beautiful peaks on its back and facing a dark blue seaport. Located in front of Wulao Peak, one of the eight scenic spots in Xiamen, from here, you may have a 30-50 minutes’ wonderful short hike to the top of Wulao Peak along the trail behind the temple to have a panoramic view of Xiamen University, the twin towers of Xiamen and the vast sea. The most famous in South Putuo Temple is the vegetarian dishes on the 2nd floor of its vegetarian restaurant and the temple’s vegetarian biscuits. With two flavors, sweet and salty, the vegetarian biscuits are a good souvenir.

3. Nanjing Tulou

About 98Km away from Xiamen, it is known as the national 5A scenic spot, built before the 11th century with a history of more than 1,000 years. Here you can enjoy a large collection of featured Tulou (Earth building) including the tallest, largest, smallest, most peculiar, and most well-protected ones.

4. Yongding Tulou

Declared a world cultural heritage, the age-old Yongding Tulou has various types of earth buildings such as round buildings, square buildings, etc. among them, the mountain dwellings are the most outstanding and unique, highlighting the ancient tradition of Hakka people living together. There are more than 4,000 surviving Tulou, hence, reputed as ‘a Chinese Hakka Tulou Museum without a gate’.

5. Zengcuo'an

Zengcuo'an was once a dilapidated small fishing village, nowadays, it has become a gathering place for gourmets, coffee shops, and various literary and artistic souvenir shops, which attracts a large number of tourists. In the daytime, you may stroll around to taste the roadside specialties, visit the souvenir shops, and take some literary and artistic photos. After nightfall, it is a great choice to find a petty-bourgeois café to take a break or go to a bar to spend a summer night.

6. Jimeixue Village

Funded and established by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, Jimeixue Village includes Kah Kee Architecture, Dragon Boat Pond, Kah Kee's Former Residence, Tan Kah Kee's Life Deeds Exhibition Hall, Kah Kee Park, Ao Garden, and other attractions. The pavilions, terraces, corridors, and buildings in the village are small and elegant, decorated with glazed roofs, dragon ridges and phoenix eaves, carved beams, and painted buildings. The overall architectural style is a combination of Chinese and Western styles, as well as the typical style of the hometown of overseas Chinese in southern Fujian. Among them, Jimei Middle School and Aoyuan are the most beautiful places in the village.

As a famous tourist city, Xiamen has a very convenient transportation. Travelers can easily get to Xiamen by flight, train, long-distance bus, and ship. The most convenient way would be flight and train as very few travelers would choose bus or ship.

Flight to Xiamen

There are 2 airports in Xiamen, one is Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and the other is Xiamen Xiang'An International Airport which is scheduled to put into use by 2023. As of September 2017, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport has 109 navigable cities(83 domestic cities, 20 international cities, and 6 regions), 182 domestic and foreign routes (145 domestic routes and 37 international and regional routes), and 40 airlines in operation (25 domestic airlines and 15 overseas airlines).

Train to Xiamen

There are two main railway stations in Xiamen, Xiamen Station and Xiamen North Station (High-speed train station). Every day, there are various regular trains and high-speed trains departing from Xiamen, passing through or ending in Beijing , Shanghai , Nanjing, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Xi'an , Chongqing, Guangzhou , Fuzhou, and other places. No matter from Shanghai, or Hangzhou, or Guangzhou, or Hong Kong to Xiamen, it only takes 4 to 5 hours by high-speed train.

Bus or Ship to Xiamen

Xiamen’s highway transportation extends in all directions. Long-distance passenger transportation by bus can not only reach all parts of the province, but also reach Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang in the north, and Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shantou in Guangdong and Hongkong in the south. The three long-distance bus stations of Xiamen Songbai, Hubin, and Jimei all have direct passenger buses to Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei, Nanchang, Yingtan, Fuzhou, and other places.

With deep water and low waves, Xiamen Port is a natural harbor in southern China, which is open to navigation 24 hours a day. In addition to the coastal routes within the province, also there are routes to southern China like Shantou, Guangzhou, Hainan Island, and northern China like Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Yantai, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Shanghai. Besides, there are passenger ships from Xiamen to Hong Kong every Wednesday at 5 pm, and from Hong Kong to Xiamen every Tuesday at 2 pm.

Travel Within Xiamen

With convenient public transportation, tourists can easily travel within Xiamen in the usage of public buses, BRT rapid buses, taxis, bicycles, as well as ferries and metro. Cycling is the best way to visit Huandao Road. The ferry is the main means of transportation for tourists to travel across the Lu River to Gulangyu Island. Ferry tickets are sold round-trip (CN¥ 35 per person) and the ride takes about 30 minutes for one-way. In addition, travelers can also take a ferry for the round Gulangyu route and the Jinxia sea area tour route, which offer the opportunity for you to enjoy Xiamen from another angle on the tour boat.

Usually, it is recommended to spend 2 days in Xiamen to explore its highlights, such as South Putuo Temple, Zhongshan Road, Zengcuo'an, Hulishan Cannon Fort, etc., and taste some local delicacies. Then have a half-day to a full-day excursion to Gulangyu Island to appreciate the beautiful coastal scenery.

Xiamen is also a popular gateway to Fujian Tulou Clusters, a kind of unique dwelling of the Hakka built with wood and fortified with mud walls which were listed in the World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008. Check out this 5 days Xiamen and Tulou Hakka tour for more details.

In addition to Fujian Tulou Clusters, Xiamen is also a popular gateway to Wuyi Mountain with only about 3-4 hours’ high-speed train. Wuyi Mountain, once named one of the "Top Ten Happiest Places in the World" by the "Lonely Planet", is a dual heritage of world cultural and natural heritage sites with profound history and culture of Taoism, tea culture, and hanging coffin culture and breathtaking natural scenery of clear waters and rainbow mountains. And it is definitely worthy of adding an additional 2 days’ tour to Mount Wuyi to discover its beauty and rich culture.

Xiapu is an ancient and beautiful wonderland with picturesque scenery such as a blue sea overflowing with color, tidal mudflats paved with gold, green ridges and flowing fields, dreamlike homes on the sea, etc., like a bright pearl inlaid on the coast of East China Sea, making it a paradise for photographers to leave for all year round. If you are a photography enthusiast, Xiapu is the perfect place that you shouldn’t miss. With only about 2-3 hours’ high-speed train from Xiamen, if you are sufficient in time, we would highly recommend you to add an additional 2-day tour there.

Apart from the travel destinations above, benefiting from the convenient transportation of high-speed trains and flights, it is supremely easy to extend your Xiamen tour to the other travel destinations of China, such as Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Guilin , Hangzhou, Huangshan , Guizhou , Yunnan , Beijing, Xi’an, etc. to discover more beautiful nature and profound culture of China. To explore the wonders of any travel destinations above, you may prepare at least 2-3 days more for each.

If you have any further plans, please feel free to contact us directly , it’s our pleasure to assist you to make your China tour happen!

As a popular tourist city with developed tourism and mature accommodation, as well as concentrated scenic spots, there is a wide range of accommodation options for tourists to choose from. Generally speaking, we would highly recommend that guests choose to stay at the hotels located near Zhongshan Road, Zengcuo'an, or Yundang Lake .

There are many hotels near Zhongshan Road, from budget hotels to star-rated hotels, to meet all the budget requirements. One of the advantages of staying overnight near Zhongshan Road is that you can go out to stroll around at night to appreciate its beautiful night views, which is really pleasant. Besides, Gulangyu is just across from Zhongshan Road, and the traffic is very convenient.

Near Zeng Cuo An, there are many ingenious homestays both warm and petty, which are preferred by many young people and with reasonable and suitable prices. You can choose the hotel to stay in according to your favorite style.

In addition, Yundang Lake is another great option with accommodation at different prices. Here you can find budget hotels as well as star-rated hotels such as Marco Polo and Westin. One of the benefits of living in Yundang Lake is that the scenery here is excellent, which is close to many scenic spots, such as Gulf Park, Bailuzhou Park, and Coffee Street. The Westin Xiamen is close to the Cultural and Art Center, which is only a few minutes' walking from Xiamen Science and Technology Museum or Xiamen Museum.

The flavors in the memories of Xiamen people are treasured in these snack bars on the streets. Among them, there are many time-honored restaurants that have been in business for decades, and there are also popular gourmet shops in recent years. These restaurants generally cost less than CN¥ 100 per person, allowing you to eat Xiamen’s classic delicacies at a cost-effective price.

Shacha Noodles of Wutang and Yuehua, Lianhuan Fried Sea Oyster, Tianhe Ximen sipunculid worm jelly each store represents the best selection of Xiamen cuisine. If you want to enjoy more snacks at one stop, the time-honored Huang Ze and Peanut Soup Shop can provide you with multiple choices.

As a city surrounded by the sea, Xiamen is rich in seafood. Abundant seafood ingredients have created a variety of seafood restaurants. You can either have a seafood barbecue at the roadside stalls of Taiwan Food Street or feast on the seafood stalls in the summer night. If you want to taste more refined seafood dishes, Xiamen’s seafood restaurants at all price points will definitely make you memorable.

In the hot summer in Xiamen, it couldn't be better to eat a big bowl of mein mein ice. All kinds of dessert ice shops are full of streets and alleys. Xiamen, which is rich in fruits, is most suitable for combining all kinds of fruits with ice. You can often eat ice cream filled with large pieces of fresh fruit and sweet cheese; or iced juice made from pure fresh fruit. All kinds of ice shops provide you with a refreshing tongue in the hot summer.

We arrived on 21 Feb and depart on 24 Feb from Sanya. 4 pax. 3 people above 70 years old. Want to visit Xiamen, Tulou, and gulangyu island. Don’t wish to visit Temple or mountain

In reply to We arrived on 21 Feb and… by Edalene lee (not verified)

Hello Edalene,

Thank you for providing your travel details. I have crafted an initial itinerary that aligns with your preferences and sent the details via emal. If there are any specific interests or requirements you'd like to highlight, please feel free to let me know.

Looking forward to assisting you in planning a wonderful journey.

Best regards, Yuki

Do you have tour around fujian?

In reply to Do you have tour around… by Yenny (not verified)

Thanks for contacting us! Yes, we do arrange tours in Fujian. Most travelers spend about a week in Fujian, covering top destinations like Xiamen, the nearby Hakka Tulou Clusters, and Wuyishan Mountain. I sent additional information via email earlier today, please go through the details and feel free to share your comments and thoughts.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

• 1.1 Orientation
• 1.2 Information sources
• 1.3 Climate
• 1.4 History
• 3.1 By plane
• 3.2 By train
• 3.4 By ferry
• 4 Get around
• 5.1 North of the lake
• 5.2 Around the university
• 5.3 Beach and boardwalk
• 5.4 Other sights
• 6.1 Trade fairs
• 9.1 Budget food areas
• 9.2 Around the lake
• 9.3 Haiwan Park
• 9.4 Around the university
• 9.5 Other areas
• 11.1 Budget
• 11.2 Mid-range
• 11.3 Splurge

Xiamen (厦门; Ē-mn̂g in Minnan, Xiàmén in Mandarin, former English name: Amoy ) is a coastal city in Fujian Province in China . It has been an important port for centuries and became one of China's earliest Special Economic Zones in 1980. The name Xiamen means "door to the house", referring to the city's centuries-old role as a gateway to China.

Xiamen is a very vibrant, affluent and modern place, though by Chinese standards it is a small city — only 5.1 million counting suburbs (2020). It has many non-Chinese residents and a range of restaurants, bars and stores that cater to them. It also has several universities and some areas popular for tourism.

The most important tourist area is Gulangyu , a small island close to downtown which contains some beautiful colonial buildings and is car free. It is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Understand [ edit ]

Like many other Asian cities, Xiamen is a fascinating mixture of old and new. Buildings range from ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, roads from narrow alleys to multi-lane boulevards and highways, and industries from handicrafts to hi-tech.

Orientation [ edit ]

The core of the city is on Xiamen island. The term "Xiamen" is somewhat ambiguous since it can refer to the island, to the city on it, or to the whole urban area (a "prefecture-level city" in the Chinese administrative system ) including suburbs not on the island. This article covers Xiamen Island; the others areas have their own articles, linked below.

The areas on the mainland that are administratively part of Xiamen are Haicang in yellow, Jimei in blue, Tong'an in dark green and Xiang'an in orange. A few decades back these were largely rural areas, but all now have populations of several hundred thousand and are growing quickly; the city is expanding beyond the island. Xiamen Island is connected to Jimei by several bridges (road, rail and rapid transit), to Haicang by one bridge, and to Xiang'an by a tunnel.

The main train station, long-distance bus stations, and ferry terminals are all on Xiamen Island, though there are less important stations in other areas. The airport is also on the island, up on the north side. The bus rapid transit system (BRT) has one line running east-west across the island and another that runs north, crosses a bridge and then forks to run through parts of Jimei and Tong'an. Other districts do not yet have BRT service. See Get around below for more on BRT.

Most of the historic buildings and much of the new commercial and business core of town are in the area of Xiamen Island opposite Gulangyu, though newer development has spread out a long way east and north from there. Major streets in the old central area include Lujiang Road along the coast, Siming Road parallel to it and a bit inland, and Zhongshan Road which is a pedestrians-only shopping street perpendicular to the other two. Xiamen University is on the coast at the southern end of that downtown area.

A long and rather pretty ring road, Huándǎo Lù (X401 on the map), runs from the university along the east coast all the way to the airport on the north edge of the island; there are popular beaches along it. A large new International Conference Center [formerly dead link] with its own hotel is just off this road, about halfway up the coast.

Somewhat north of downtown on the west side of the island, there is a long, narrow lake running east-west near the map's pink-green border. Its name can be romanised as either Yundang Lake or Yuandang Lake; we use Yundang here because it is closer to the sound in Chinese, but both forms are in widespread use.

Major roads run parallel to the lake shore and a bit inland on all four sides, all with names that say which side of the lake they are on. The area around Hubin Beilu (Lakeside North Street) has several high-end hotels (the Marco Polo is a landmark), quite a few expat residents, and many restaurants and bars. Along the lake are mainly upmarket places, while the back streets have more modest establishments. Around Hubin Nanlu (Lakeside South Street) are shops and offices.

Xiahe Lu, south of Hubin Nanlu and roughly parallel to it, is one of the main streets of the newer part of the city; it has many banks, hotels and offices, several of the larger shopping centers, and the train station. The east-west BRT line runs along it.

West of the lake, between it and the seashore, is Haiwan Park which has a half-dozen bars/restaurants right on the seashore, all with large patios overlooking the water. Like the ones on the lake, these mostly offer Western food and are popular with Xiamen's large expatriate community.

Xiamen's container port, on the west side of town north of the lake, is among the 20 busiest on Earth. From the main road up the west side of the island, you can look out over hundreds of stacked containers and some enormous cranes for moving them. In the photo of Haicang Bridge on the right, some red cranes are visible beyond the bridge.

Information sources [ edit ]

The tourist bureau has several information offices around town:

• at the airport, in the domestic arrivals area (phone +86 592 570 8273)
• at the side of the railway station, near the car booking area (+86 592 393 0058)
• on Gulangyu , on the left side of the road that runs uphill from the ferry dock
• 1st floor of the Hall of the People, 76 Hubin North Road (+86 592 512 3128)
• opposite the Brahma Temple in Tong'an (+86 592 736 8357)

They also have an administrative office for each district, but few visitors will need to interact with them. If you think you need to — for example to file an official complaint about a scamming business — ask for directions at one of the information offices.

The municipal government has a foreign affairs department but it deals mainly with companies, not individual travellers.

Climate [ edit ]

Xiamen is just one degree north of the Tropic of Cancer. The climate is subtropical, warm year round; even in the coldest winter months (January and February), the average nightly low is 10 °C (50 °F). Frost is extremely rare and the last time it snowed was a freak storm in 1893.

It does get hot in summer; in July and August, average daily high and low are 32 and 25 °C (~ 90 and 77 °F), and it is often humid as well. There is a fair bit of rain; average is 1350 mm (~ 53 inches) a year. October to January are the driest months.

Xiamen has cleaner air than many Chinese cities; it is right on the sea, there is not much heavy industry and almost no domestic heating with coal, and the city government is generally strict about pollution since it might drive away investment. Xiamen got an international award in a contest for most livable and environmentally aware cities in 2002; neighboring Quanzhou won the following year.

There is a risk of typhoons, mainly July to September, but Xiamen is partly sheltered from them. Typhoons come in off the Pacific; most of them cross Taiwan before reaching Xiamen, use up much of their power smashing up Taiwan, and are significantly less nasty by the time they hit Xiamen.

Overall, the climate is usually very pleasant year round.

History [ edit ]

The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and Xiamen Island is mentioned in Han Dynasty records around the time of Christ. There has been a town in the area at least since the Song Dynasty, a thousand years ago. For most of that time, it was administratively a district of Quanzhou , which was historically the richest and most important city in Fujian. In the past couple of centuries, however, Xiamen has grown a great deal; now it is administered separately and is much more than just an appendage of Quanzhou.

Until 1842, the Chinese Empire allowed Western "barbarians" to trade only in Guangzhou (then known as Canton), and only under strict controls. After China lost the First Opium War, Britain took Hong Kong and China was forced to open five Treaty Ports — Canton, Xiamen (then known as Amoy), Fuzhou , Ningbo and Shanghai — to foreign trade, and to eliminate some of their restrictions. Trade boomed and these port cities developed very quickly.

In Xiamen, the island Gulangyu became a foreign enclave with consulates and luxurious homes. Today it is a quiet area (no cars or motorcycles), five minutes by ferry from downtown, and remarkably scenic.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fujian was a focus of missionary activity and there are many historic churches in the region. China's oldest Protestant church, the Xinjie Church, is in downtown Xiamen near the Ximing Road & Zhongshan Road intersection.

Some of the history of the China trade is darker; key commodities were tea, silk and ceramics plus "pigs and poison" — indentured labourers and opium. Some labourers were very badly treated, almost slaves, and opium caused major problems in China. Xiamen had its share of the dark side as well as the more positive side; one company there was prosecuted by the British for kidnapping potential workers.

Many overseas Chinese around the world can trace their ancestry to Fujian, often to the Minnan -speaking region around Xiamen. In particular, much of the Chinese immigration to Southeast Asia has been from Fujian, as was nearly all immigration to Taiwan before 1949. Examples of Southeast Asian cities with Minnan-speaking majorities among the Chinese community include Penang , Medan , Klang , Kuching and Manila . Some overseas Chinese maintain connections to the "old country", especially Xiamen. Tan Kah Kee, after making his fortune in Malayan rubber, started Xiamen University, an Overseas Chinese Museum nearby, and a technical college in neighboring Jimei . The Filipino chain store SM first entered the Chinese market with a store in Xiamen, the company founder's birthplace. Overseas Chinese often visit the region, some donate to various good causes in the area, and Xiamen University has many overseas Chinese students, including a large contingent from Indonesia .

In the 1980s, Xiamen was one of the first cities to become a Special Economic Zone to encourage development and open mainland China to the outside world; like other SEZs it has been booming ever since. While only Xiamen Island and Gulyangyu are in the SEZ, the whole region is flourishing. Xiamen has more Taiwanese investment than any other mainland city, partly because Taiwanese is a dialect of Minnan (Southern Min), the local language of southern Fujian. There is also a major influx of other foreign investment; among the foreign companies with large factories in Xiamen are Lifetime Products, Dell and Kodak.

Xiamen also has five large industrial development zones set up for various types of development, two in Haicang and one each in Jimei , Xiang'an and on Xiamen Island. Details on Wikipedia .

Talk [ edit ]

The main local language is called Minnan Hua (Southern Min speech) in Chinese, and in China usually just Minnan in English. It is also widespread in Southeast Asia , where it is known as Hokkien , and in Taiwan where it is called Taiwanese . All these variants are mutually intelligible and the Xiamen version is the standard, so Xiamen is an excellent place to learn Minnan. Minnan is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin, Cantonese or even with other Min (Fujian) dialects, though it is partially mutually intelligible with Teochew , which is spoken across the border in the Chaoshan region of Guangdong province.

As with anywhere else in China, Mandarin is almost universally spoken, at least by educated people, since it has been the main language used in education, government and most media since the 1950s. However, locals often have a strong accent when speaking Mandarin, which is very similar to a Taiwanese accent. Like other prosperous coastal cities, Xiamen has many migrants from other parts of China, most of whom speak Mandarin but not Minnan.

Foreigners staying in Xiamen long term generally choose to learn Mandarin instead of (occasionally, as well as) Minnan because Mandarin is so much more broadly useful. Go a hundred miles from Xiamen in any direction, except across the Taiwan Strait, and no-one will speak Minnan; the local language will be something completely different. Go anywhere in China, though, and most people you meet will speak Mandarin. That being said, attempts to speak Minnan are most certainly appreciated by locals, and might even be essential for breaking into local social circles.

English is not widely spoken. You can expect reasonable-to-excellent English from staff in higher end hotels, tourist shops, and the many restaurants and bars that cater to expatriates. Elsewhere the range is likely to be none-to-limited, with the occasional exception. This is a Chinese-speaking city with some English facilities, not somewhere like Amsterdam or even Hong Kong where an English-only traveller can expect to cope quite easily.

You can survive and have a good time in Xiamen speaking only English more easily than in most Chinese cities, but there will be difficulties. You will need some help from Chinese friends or hotel staff — things like writing down a destination in Chinese or giving directions by cell phone — because the cab drivers generally speak no English. English is OK for high-end restaurants, but if you want to eat more cheaply or more adventurously then you need to learn some Chinese or bring along a translator.

Learning some Mandarin opens up most of the city to you. The only areas where knowing some Minnan, or bringing along a local guide, are likely to be essential is if you want to get out into the countryside, shop in a farmers' market, or buy from fishermen at the docks.

Get in [ edit ]

Xiamen has a major airport and good road and rail connections; it is easily reached from anywhere in China and many places beyond.

By plane [ edit ]

Xiamen Airlines use XMN as their main hub. They have connections all over China, international flights to many Asian destinations, and a few beyond Asia such as Amsterdam and Sydney. Most other Chinese airlines also fly to Xiamen and there are connections to almost any major Chinese city.

Probably the most common way to fly into Xiamen from overseas is to connect through Hong Kong . Flying via Guangzhou or Shanghai is also common; both are major international hubs, have good connections to Xiamen, and are reasonably nearby. Shanghai, however, generally requires a somewhat inconvenient change of airports; most international flights come in to Pudong Airport but domestic routes use Hongqiao Airport, on the other side of the city. Connecting via Beijing is also possible, but Beijing is a long way from Xiamen.

Direct international flights to Xiamen are becoming more common, and may offer better options for many fliers.

From Taiwan , there are numerous flights on multiple airlines from both Songshan and Taoyuan airports in Taipei to Xiamen, as well as several flights form Kaohsiung . However, these do not take the most direct routing and can be rather expensive; consider flying into Kinmen and taking a ferry to Xiamen instead.

From Southeast Asia, there are flights direct to Xiamen from Singapore , Kuala Lumpur . Jakarta , Bangkok , Manila and Cebu . See Discount airlines in Asia .

From North America, there are direct flights on Xiamen Airlines from Los Angeles and New York but several two-hop possibilities are available from the US, Canada or Mexico. Korean Air have direct flights to Xiamen from Seoul . They sometimes offer good discounts and Incheon International Airport is very user-friendly with free Internet and nice free lounges with couches to stretch out on. Also, unlike many other countries, Korea allows sterile transit; if you are just changing planes, then you do not have to go through Customs or Immigration and do not need a Korean visa. Japan Airlines have direct flights to Xiamen from Tokyo and Osaka , Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have direct flights from Manila and Cebu Pacific also have flights from Cebu .

KLM offers direct flights between Amsterdam and Xiamen, creating the first direct link to Europe for Xiamen. Flights are scheduled three times per week: Amsterdam-Xiamen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Xiamen-Amsterdam on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Buses from the airport include #18 to Xiamen University and #27 to the harbour, both with stops at the train station. #37 just goes to the train station, #41 to the SM Mall area, 91 to the Exhibition Center. #105 goes north into the suburbs, to Tong'an via Jimei .

By train [ edit ]

Xiamen is well connected to China's high-speed rail network; it is on a major line that runs along the South China coast from just across the border from Hong Kong all the way to Shanghai.

There are two high speed railway stations: 24.4705 118.1113 2 Xiamen Station (near downtown) and 24.6388 118.069 3 Xiamen North Station (Xiamenbei; outside of the Xiamen Island). More high speed trains run from the latter which can be reached by metro from downtown.

From Xiamen, the routes are:

• Northeast to Fuzhou (¥85, 100 minutes), Wenzhou , Ningbo , Hangzhou and Shanghai (around ¥400 and eight hours).
• Southwest, to Zhangzhou and Longyan in southwestern Fujian, and on to places in the next province, Guangdong like Chaoshan for Chaozhou and Shantou . The line runs via Shanwei and Huizhou all the way to Shenzhen (¥150, 3½ hours). From Shenzhen, one can cross to Hong Kong, change trains for Guangzhou , or take a ferry to Zhuhai . There also direct trains from Xiamen to Hong Kong, taking a bit more than 4 hours.

Another high-speed line goes inland from Putian (north of Xiamen on the Fujian coast) to Nanchang in Jiangxi (an inland province West of Fujian). Xiamen-Nanchang time is about five hours.

There is also service on regular trains from Xiamen to various destinations in Fujian and to major cities throughout China's interior. It is inexpensive, but slow (e.g., about 20 hours to Wuhan ) since the railroads travel a circuitous route through mountains.

By bus [ edit ]

• Quanzhou , ¥35, 1½ hours.
• Fuzhou , ¥70-90, 4 hours.
• Hong Kong , Guangzhou , or Zhuhai , around ¥200-300, overnight sleeper bus. There is a bus direct to Xiamen from Hong Kong airport. From Hong Kong, there are some buses that go all the way and some where you have to change buses at the Hong Kong-China border.
• From Hong Kong via Shenzhen: take the metro to Lo Wu border station, cross the border on foot (usually fast and easy if your visa is in order). There are small shops selling bus tickets within the border complex, with pickup nearby, or you can walk a block to the main bus station. A number of bus operators are available and bus service is frequent. A trip from Lo Wu (China side) to Xiamen will take 9 hours and cost ¥250-300. Night sleeping coaches are also available.
• Shenzhen , ¥200-300, 8 hours. Buses leave for Xiamen from the Qiaoshe long-distance bus station (侨社客运站) daily at 09:10, 09:40, 11:00, 11:40, 12:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30, 22:00 and 22:20. Tickets can be purchased at the Shenzhen Tourism Group (深圳市旅游股份有限公司) counter at Qiaoshe bus station. They take credit card or cash.

By ferry [ edit ]

A boat service operates from Xiamen's Wutong ferry terminal (五通客运码头) to and from Kinmen 's Shuitou port, which is under Taiwanese control, hourly 08:30-19:00 every day. Tickets cost NT$750 from Kinmen and ¥160 from Xiamen. Boat ride takes about 30 minutes. If you're a foreign passport holder traveling on a visa class other than family reunion or tourist visa, check with port authorities prior to departure whether your visa is permissible, as journalism and business visa holders are often required to transit through a formal port of entry such as Hong Kong.

Get around [ edit ]

Local public transit is easiest to pay for with the Xiamen public transit mini-app on Alipay or WeChat.

If you are planning on staying in Xiamen for a significant amount of time, you can also get an eKatong (e卡通) stored value card. It can be used in different forms of public transport not only in Xiamen, but also in the neighbouring cities of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou .

The local bus system is very good, but the normal bus routes are listed in Chinese and do not have English on the signs. Signs in the BRT and Metro are bilingual in Chinese and English, while announcements are trilingual in Mandarin, Minnan and English.

Taxis are cheap, starting at ¥8 (plus ¥3 fuel tax – so ¥11) for the first 3 km. After the first 3 km, the meter charge will go up based on distance. Although the meter may read with a decimal, most taxi drivers will round up. On the other hand, as anywhere in China, tipping is not expected.

During the day time, you should be able to get anywhere on Xiamen island, including the airport, for under ¥40. But be wary that some taxi drivers might take advantage of you if they know that you are not a local and might take the longer route to your destination. For example, if the driver says "Huándǎo Lù" after you tell him where you want to go, say bù (no) , because that is the ring road that circles the entire island and although it is scenic, it is likely the most expensive way to go.

There is a frequent ferry service to/from Gulangyu . Non-Xiamen residents have to take the ferry from Dongdu Wharf, accessible via taxi or bus #51. Tickets are ¥35 for the trip to Gulangyu, and ¥18 for the trip back to Xiamen; the ferry ride takes about 20 minutes.

To go around by bicycle is a great way to explore Xiamen, except Gulangyu where bikes are forbidden. Try the Island Ring Road (Huándǎo Lù) which has an extra path for bicycles along much of its length. Start at Xiamen University Beach and go up until the International Exhibition Center. There are various rental stations on the Huándǎo Road, starting at ¥30 per day. Enjoy the sunshine while cruising next to the sea. If you leave the bicycle path, be cautious about the traffic.

Motorcycles are forbidden everywhere on Xiamen Island and enforcement is quite strict in the central areas (e.g. Yundang Lake, Zhongshan Road, etc.). In other areas, enforcement is more relaxed and some people do ride, but this risks a fine or even police seizure of the bike. Motorcycles are allowed in the mainland suburbs ( Jimei , Tong'an , Haicang or Xiang'an ), but see Driving in China for some cautions.

See [ edit ]

Xiamen has a few large clumps of interesting stuff to see. Gulangyu may be the main tourist area, but there is quite a lot on Xiamen Island as well, and some out in the suburbs.

North of the lake [ edit ]

One is the area around Yundang Lake . The north side has a large group of restaurants and bars (see below ) plus a rather pretty lakeside park area with a walkway right down by the water. Around dawn and dusk, you can watch the egrets (symbol of Xiamen, used as the logo for Xiamen Airlines) flying to and from the lake.

At night, there is a bit of a light show ; many buildings (especially around the south side of the lake) have laser or LED displays that attract attention, sort of an advertisement by commercial buildings and some residential complexes to draw attention to their business. This sort of thing is fairly common in Chinese cities, but Xiamen has more of it than most others. It is best seen from the north side, augmented by reflections in the lake. This is not really an attraction in itself, just a nice extra for anyone imbibing in a lakeside bar.

• 24.477 118.089 1 Bailuzhou Park ( 白鹭洲公园 ), 565 Bailuzhou Street, Siming District (思明区白鹭洲路565号) ( On an island in the lake, crossed by a bridge, east of the Marco Polo on the north side and of the bus station on the south. Bus routes 8, 26, 97 and 758 ), ☏ +86 592 5082380 . Open all day . A large park that includes hotels, bars, restaurants and shopping. Go around 8:30PM and enjoy the vendors, music, and dancing. Free .  

Around the university [ edit ]

Another is the area around Xiamen University . In Chinese, it is 厦门大学 ( Ē-mn̂g tōa-o̍h in Minnan, Xiàmén dàxué in Mandarin), usually abbreviated to 厦大 ( Hā-tāi in Minnan, Xiàdà in Mandarin). This is Fujian's most prestigious university, the province's only "national key university" controlled by the central government in Beijing rather than by the provincial education department.

To get there, take a 20-minute walk south from the Zhongshan Road and Gulangyu ferry area, along either Lujiang Road or Siming Road, jump in a taxi or take a bus. Buses that go to the main gate include #1, 15, 18, 21, 29, 71 and 82. #2 or 22 go to other parts of the university.

The university has a beautiful campus with old traditional buildings, extensive gardens and a small lake. Among the attractions are a small but interesting Anthropological Museum (straight ahead and a bit to the right from the main gate) and a large bookstore with quite a few high-grade Chinese art books and (by Chinese standards) a fine selection of English books. Entrance via the main gate may be restricted on busy holidays; use one of the three smaller gates which are across from Baicheng beach.

Just outside the main university gate is the south end of Siming Road, generally referred to as Xiada Street . This is a lively area of shops, street stalls and restaurants; it is only perhaps 150 m long, but packs a lot into that space, plus a few smaller streets running off it. There is also a large bookstore here, not quite as good as the university store for art books, but better for CDs and DVDs. Because this area caters to the student market, it tends to have a lot of fairly cheap stuff. You need to bargain to get good prices. Few of the vendors speak English, but there are sometimes helpful English-speaking students about.

• 24.43797 118.084316 4 Xiamen-Above-the-Clouds Observation Deck ( 云上厦门观光厅 ), Tower B, Shimao Cross-Strait Plaza , ☏ +86 592 2563326 , toll-free: +86 400 0028288 . 09:00-21:00 (main observation deck on 55th floor), 09:00-20:30 (Love Balcony and Sea & Sky Walk on 58th floor) . Probably the best place to see Xiamen's skyline. The observation deck sits atop Building B of the 300-metre high Shimao Cross-Strait Plaza twin-tower complex. ¥160 (adults aged under 60), ¥80 (persons over 60), ¥80 (children between 1.1 and 1.49 metres in height). Free admission is granted to children under 1.1 metres in height who are accompanied by an adult . ( updated Feb 2019 )

Beach and boardwalk [ edit ]

From Shoushan Road to Baishi Fortress is about ten km (six miles) of boardwalk along the beach ; it runs parallel to the Huandao Lu ring road. Plans call for it to eventually extend all the way to the Conference Center, roughly doubling its current length. Along it are bicycle rental places, many food stalls and restaurants, and various other attractions:

• 24.432147 118.101168 5 Hulishan Fortress ( 胡里山炮台 ), 2 Zengcuo'an Road, Siming District (思明区曾厝埯路2号) ( On the Southeastern headland of Xiamen Island. Bus routes 2, 20, 22, 29, 47, 48, 86, 87, 92, 96, 122, 135, 310, 659, 751 and 857. You can also get there on the sightseeing bus ), ☏ +86 592 2099603 . 08:00-18:00 (summer), 08:00-17:30 (winter) . Xiamen has always been vulnerable to attack from the sea and various fortifications have been built over the centuries. The Ming built a fort to defend against Japanese pirates in 1387. The remains of Koxinga's fortifications from the late 1600s are now a tourist attraction on Gulangyu . Cold War era tourist attractions on Taiwan-controlled Kinmen off the coast include guns built for shelling Xiamen and bunkers built to protect against shells from Xiamen. The Hulishan Fortress was built in 1894 as part of China's Westernization Movement. The architecture is in a Qing Dynasty style. On the front of the platform there are “Wanggui platform” and “Pangui platform”, from which you can see the Dadan and Xiaodan islands through binoculars (¥4). You can even make out the sign promoting Chinese unification, installed on Dadan island by a Taiwanese general in the '80s. In the yard of the cannon platform there is a gorgeous wall sculpture named “the Soul of the Nation” and a water fountain. ¥25 .  
• 24.426458 118.124603 6 Music Square ( 音乐广场 ), 318 Huandao Road South, Siming District (思明区环岛南路318号) ( Bus routes 29, 47, 122, 751 and 857 ). A park-like area along the boardwalk with sculptures of/about many famous composers and musicians, both Western and Chinese. Look for the public toilets with the musical notes on the wall, or a large red sculpture that looks somewhat like an open fan. Free .  

Other sights [ edit ]

There are a number of other sights outside these main areas:

• 24.450759 118.104945 7 10,000-Rock Botanical Garden ( Wànshí Zhìwùyuán 万石植物园 ), Siming District (思明区) ( The easy way to get there is by taxi. You can also walk there from Zhongshan Park metro station or take bus nos. 87, 309 or b3. Alternately, from either the university or the temple, climb the hill on the inland side (easier using the path behind the temple) and descend to the garden. ), ☏ +86 592 2024785 . 06:30-18:00 . Over 2 km² (500 acres) of gardens, some dedicated to particular plants such as bamboo, palms or coniferous trees, with a lake, bridges, several temples, a network of footpaths, a bonsai exhibit, and an exhibit hall with over a thousand types of flowers. ¥30 .  
• Xiamen Museum ( 厦门市博物馆 ), Xiamen Culture and Art Centre , ☏ +86 592 5371607 . 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays and on the eve of Chinese New Year . The city's main museum. Free . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Xiamen Science and Technology Museum ( 厦门科技馆 ), Xiamen Culture and Art Centre , ☏ +86 592 5148555 . 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays . ¥40 (main exhibition halls), ¥40 (children's amusement park), ¥30 (film tickets) . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Xiamen Culture House ( 厦门市文化馆 ), Xiamen Culture and Art Centre , ☏ +86 592 5371757 , +86 592 2112751 , +86 592 5371717 . 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays (art museum opening hours only) . Incorporates the Xiamen Art Museum (美术馆). Cultural performances, including music, dance and drama shows are also held in this building. Admission to the art museum is free. Ticket prices for the performances may vary . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Xiamen Municipal Library ( 厦门市图书馆 ), Xiamen Culture and Art Centre , ☏ +86 592 5371809 , [email protected] . Main reading area: 08:00-21:00 (Monday to Thursday), 08:00-12:00 (Friday), 08:00-21:00 (weekends and public holidays. Children's reading area: 12:00-18:30 (Monday to Thursday), 08:00-21:00 (weekends and public holidays during the period from May to November), 08:00-18:30 (weekends and public holidays during the period from December to April) . The library sometimes hosts special events and exhibitions. Free . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• 24.480562 118.188785 10 Xiamen Olympic Museum ( 厦门奥林匹克博物馆 ), 2017 Lüling Road, Siming District (思明区吕岭路2017号) ( On the east side of the island. Bus routes 58, 68 and 98 ), ☏ +86 592 2956065 , +86 592 2956066 , [email protected] . 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays . A museum about the Olympic Games. Established with the approval of the International Olympic Committee and the China Olympic Committee. ¥50 . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• 24.514189 118.169647 11 Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park ( 五缘湾湿地公园 ), Huli District (湖里区) ( Bus routes 18, 435, 439a, 439b, and 641 ), ☏ +86 592 5220888 . Open all day . Xiamen's largest wetland park, covering an area of about 85 hectares or about half the size of Gulangyu Island. Free . ( updated Feb 2019 )

Do [ edit ]

• 24.461872 118.084987 1 Zhongshan Park ( 中山公园 ), Siming District (思明区) ( On Zhongshan Road, toward the inland end beyond Siming Road. Near Zhongshan Park Station on Metro Line 1 ), ☏ +86 592 2910888 . Open all day . A large park named for Dr. Sun Yat Sen (Sun Zhong Shan in Mandarin), leader of the 1911 revolution that overthrew the Qing and established the Republic of China. It has a statue of him, several gardens, a small zoo, a flower exhibit hall, a lake with rental paddle boats, dance shows, and bumper cars. Free .  
• Kite surfing , Huandau Road, near Asia Golden Bay Hotel ( at Rasa Sayang restaurant, Haiyuntai ). Training with English speaking IKO-certified instructors, equipment for sale and storage, compressor and shower facilities.  
• 24.482229 118.078888 2 Xiamen Mandarin Fun School ( 厦门汉风堂汉语学校 ), Room 2304, Wei Ye Na Building, Century Bay, North Hubin Road, Siming District (思明区湖滨北路世纪海湾维也纳楼2304室) ( The nearest bus stop is the Bank of China North Hubin Road Branch (滨北中行). Take bus no. 26, 31, 58, 85, 87, 88, 115, 309, 842, 849, 881 or 958 ), ☏ +86 592 5118287 , [email protected] . A registered private school specializing in teaching Chinese to foreigners, with lessons for students at different levels.  
• Xiamen Marathon . An international marathon race run every year in Xiamen on the first Saturday in January. This is a large event; it had over 50,000 runners in 2013. Some of the world's top long distance runners compete and their times are impressive; in 2014 the men's winner was Mariko Kiplagat at 2:08:06 and women's Mare Dibaba 2:21:36. The course is mostly along the Huándǎo Lù ring road with the finish line right downtown near the Gulangyu ferry dock. If you book well ahead you might get a room at the Lujiang Harbourview Hotel with a balcony overlooking the finish line. ( updated Jan 2017 )
• 24.500476 118.193658 3 Guanyinshan Fantasy Beach Holiday Resort ( 观音山梦幻海岸度假区 ), 17 Guanyinshan Commercial Street, Siming District (思明区观音山商业街17号) ( Bus no. 58 ), toll-free: +86 4008807677 . 10:00-18:00 (general operating hours), 14:00 (start time of motor vehicle acrobatics show) . A major amusement park on Xiamen Island's east coast. ¥130 (general admission), ¥338 (motor vehicle acrobatics show) . ( updated Feb 2019 )

Trade fairs [ edit ]

Xiamen is host to many influential trade shows. A majority of the Xiamen exhibitions are located at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center (XICEC) , listed as one of the world's top exhibition centers by Trade Show Executive [dead link] .

• The China Xiamen Machinery and Electronics Exhibition [dead link] (CXMEE), also called the Straits Fair since it is run as a joint venture with a Taiwan organisation, is downtown (on Hubin Bei Lu) in the Spring.
• The China International Fair for Investment and Trade [formerly dead link] (CIFIT) is held at XICEC.
• The annual China International Garden and Flower Exposition [dead link] takes place in a different city each year. It was in Xiamen in 2007, and a large Water Garden Expo Park was built to host it (details at Jimei#See ); presumably it will return there sometime.
• There is an annual Xiamen International Stone Fair at the XICEC from March 6–9 and reserved for industry professionals.
• The biannual Xiamen Buddhist Fair is held in the Spring and Autumn . Is generally open to the public, but is oriented towards industry professionals.
• An annual Xiamen Tea Fair takes place in October and is open to the public for retail purchases of tea products. It is the world's largest of its kind. See Chinese cuisine#Tea for background.

Learn [ edit ]

Xiamen is home to Xiamen University (厦门大学 Ē-mn̂g Toā-o̍h in Minnan, Xiàmén Dàxué in Mandarin), one of China's premier universities and the most prestigious one in Fujian . There are opportunities for international students to enroll at the university, as well as for students at foreign universities to study here on exchange programs.Xiamen University is one of the Double First-Class University in China.

Buy [ edit ]

Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street (中山路步行街) runs inland off Lujiang Road (which runs along the coast) near the Gulangyu ferry terminal, through a historical part of the city. This is major shopping area with interesting smaller streets off it. The opening time is generally from 09:00-22:00 The buildings along Zhongshan Road combine a European architecture style with Chinese.

Other major shopping streets in the area are Siming Road and Jukou Street. The area also has many smaller streets with shopping; most are off to the left as you come up Zhongshan Road from the sea.

As you come along Zhongshan from the sea, you can look for a set of stairs going off to your right a short way along; these lead to a smaller parallel street with many little shops and street vendors. From the inland end of that (Siming Road), turn left to get back to Zhongshan Road at the inland end of the pedestrian area.

Xiamen University Street is actually half a street because the other side is part of Nanputuo Temple. Hundreds of shops line the street which is only a few hundred meters. Most of these shops sell garments and cultural things, and the book stores are also worth a look. Since they cater to students, these stores are often more reasonably priced than other areas, but some haggling may be needed to get the best prices.

There is also much tourist-oriented shopping on Gulangyu .

Xiamen has a number of modern enclosed shopping malls or large standalone chain stores . Here are some of the main ones:

• World Trade Mall , 878-888 Xiahe Rd ( near the train station in the city center ). Includes a huge Walmart .  
• Robinson Plaza , Xiahe Road and Hubin Dong Rd ( across the street from Walmart ). Has a Tesco , Britain's largest chain.  
• SM Laiya ( SM City Plaza or SM Lifestyle Center ) ( intersection of Xiānyuè Lu and Jiāhé Lu (仙岳路/嘉禾路) ). Two large shopping malls that are part of the Filipino SM chain; the company founder was born in Xiamen.  
• Wanda Plaza ( Wanda Guangchang ) ( Xiānyuè Lu and Jīnshān Lu (仙岳路/金山路) ). Newer (2011) mall with Uniqlo , a large Japanese clothing chain.  
• Metro ( near SM ). A German chain well established in China, catering mainly to restaurants and hotels. For Western groceries it is often better than Walmart or Tesco, but some items are sold only in bulk quantities.  
• Shimao E-MALL ( in the twin towers, near Xiamen University ). A seven-storey mall with many restaurants and shops.  

Most of these sell everything from fresh vegetables to clothing and LCD TV's.

Eat [ edit ]

Xiamen local foods:

• Xiamen Glass Noodles 面线糊 miànxiàn hú
• Oyster Omelet 海蛎煎 hǎilì jiān (蚵仔煎 ô-á-chian in Minnan) - Differs significantly from the Taiwanese version.
• Xiamen Fish Balls 厦门鱼丸 xiàmén yúwán
• Sea Worm Jelly 土笋冻 tǔsǔndòng
• Shacha Noodles 沙茶面 shāchá miàn
• Shrimp Noodle Soup 虾面 xiāmiàn
• Xiamen Spring Roll 春卷 chūnjuǎn
• Xiamen Glutinous Rice Wrap 厦门烧肉粽 xiàmén shāoròu zòng
• Peanut Soup 花生汤 huāshēng tāng
• Xiamen Pot Stickers 韭菜盒 jiǔcài hé
• Crab Porridge 蟹米粥 xièmǐ zhōu
• Braised Duck with Ginger 姜母鸭 jiāngmǔyā
• Xiamen Wonton Soup 扁食汤 biǎnshítāng
• Xiamen jelly grass 烧仙草 shāo xiān cǎo
• Xiamen Four Fruit soup 四果汤 sì guǒ tāng

Budget food areas [ edit ]

Two areas with many cheap local restaurants are around the university and the many smaller streets near Zhongshan Rd, inland from the ferry terminus.

There is an old restaurant on the east end of Zhongshan Rd (intersection of Xinhua Rd) which serves the local dish Shachamian, noodles with peanut soup.

Gulangyu also has much cheap food, though prices there are higher than Xiamen.

Around the lake [ edit ]

The area from the north side of Yundang Lake over to Haiwan Park has a large number of bars, cafes and restaurants. Most are mid-to-high priced, though there are exceptions. Many are popular with Xiamen's large community of expatriates.

There is a whole strip of about twenty cafes and bars along the lake on Xidi Coffee Street (西堤咖啡一条街) running West from the Marco Polo Hotel. Most of them are in villa-style homes converted to cafes with patios or balconies with a view of the lake; these are upmarket establishments whose clients include tourists and expats, but are mainly well-off locals. The parking area along the lake always has many BMWs, Audis and SUVs, and often a Ferrari or two.

Most of these serve Western food, but many have Chinese dishes as well and there are some with other specialties. The area also has some stores, also mostly upmarket, selling things like ceramics and lacquerwork.

• 24.4773 118.0847 1 Coyote Cafe & Cantina , 58-2 Ganglong Huayuan ( Off the main road east of Marco Polo, right down on the lake shore ), ☏ +86 592 5046623 . Lunch and dinner . Tex-Mex food made with fresh ingredients. Excellent cheesecake.  
• 24.477 118.0796 2 Geo Geo Cafe , No. 3, Yundang Road (Xidi Coffee Street) ( on the corner a block west of Marco Polo ), ☏ +86 592-533-0111 . Serves good Italian and American food and coffee.  
• Marco Polo Hotel . Does a good Sunday international buffet for ¥120 plus service.  
• Old Villa Western Food Restaurant , No. 3-9 Yuandang Rd , ☏ +86 5033377 .  
• Samadhi , A-115, Xidi Villa, Yundang Rd ( 2nd block from Marco Polo, beyond Geo Geo ). Vegetarian  
• Shogun ( on the 3rd floor of the Marco Polo ). Japanese food  

On the side streets off the lake are more places, some of them more modest in decor and pricing.

• Tutto Bene , Jien Ye Road 1-16 ( across the street from Marco Polo ), ☏ +86 592-504-6026 . A very good Italian place.  
• Mama Mia ( next door to Tutto Bene ). Another Italian place, which for some reason chose a location right next door to an existing one  
• Burger Bar , Guanren Lu ( one road north of The Londoner ). Good quality burgers made with Australian Wagyu beef. A build your own menu with different size patties, including a cheese stuffed option. Not many seats inside but service is quick.  
• 24.4791 118.0788 3 Chongching ( down the side street next to Geo Geo ). Excellent Sichuan food, moderate prices, plain decor. Staff do not speak English, but there is English on the menu.  
• The Londoner , 5-8 Guanren Lu ( on a street of bars behind Marco Polo ), ☏ +86 592-5089783 . noon to late, every day . British-themed pub with a range of draft beers, home of the Xiamen Typhoons Rugby Union Football Club.  

Inland of the lake, behind a KFC, at 27 Hubin Bei Lu (Lakeside North Street) is a cluster of shops called Haiwan Xincheng. It has several other places:

• Tuscany Cafe ( 厦门市湖滨北路27号海湾新城102之二 ), Shop 102-2 . Mainly European dishes with a few Mexican dishes. The owner/chef is a former chef of the Four Seaons Hotel, Hong Kong. The prices are reasonable, with most items under ¥50 with free bruschetta. They also have a special lunch menu which is quite cheap. The staff are able to speak English.  
• Xiamen Sports Cafe , Shop 103 ( in the back left corner of the group of shops ). Nice sports bar popular with some locals but mainly expats. The bar has a reasonably priced food menu, with the pizza being of high quality. Daily happy hour with cheap pints of Tiger. Especially good if it is your first time to Xiamen and you are looking for some advice on things to do  
• [formerly dead link] Tastes of South-East Asia ( 厦门滨北中行肯德基后面 ), Shop 106 , ☏ +86 592-514 3227 . 11:00-21:00 . Bright, clean and colourful, TOSEA serves a selection of fresh homemade food from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia. All at very reasonable prices. English/Chinese menus. ¥15-35 .  
• Greg's Restaurant , 1C N 10 Hubin Bei Road , ☏ +86 13950107808 , [email protected] . 10:00-22:00 . Greg's is a little piece of France in China. They serve traditional French dishes, from bouillabaisse to the lamb shank, including Gillardeau oysters from Arcachon. The chef adapts his recipes for each customer, personalising the sauce and way of cooking. He also changes the menu seasonally, featuring fresh seasonal products. ¥200 . ( updated Nov 2016 )

Haiwan Park [ edit ]

Haiwan Park ( Haiwan Gongyuan in Chinese), just west of the lake, also has a number of places:

• Havana Beach , Haiwan Park ( among the group of bars by the sea. ). Latin American food and often live latin music.  
• Jiangfeng Yuhuo , Haiwan Park . Seafood on a charcoal grill.  
• JJ Bar and Grill , Haiwan Park ( near the south end of the group of bars by the sea. ). A neon sign above the entrance says "Welcome to Texas" and that is the theme. For an American looking for a taste of home, this is good choice – steaks, barbecue, fajitas, and a lot of classic US-style appetizers. If you're really sporty, there is even a mechanical bull. Band at night plays mostly western classics. Frequent dinner stop for expats. Just around the corner are the popular nightclubs.  
• 24.4772 118.0714 4 Me & You 2 , No.1 Hou Hai Ting, Haiwan Park ( at the north end of the strip of bars by the sea. ). Owner is a cheerful Scandinavian; decor includes some Viking-themed items. Good menu with both Asian and Western options including a large range of pizzas from ¥45-65 (they also deliver). They have Becks, Tiger and Stella on tap. Happy hour until 20:00 (Becks and Tiger are half price). Live music sometimes (in English).  

The park has a lot of other stuff as well, including a lot of flowerbeds and lawns, popular with picnicking locals, an amusement park with several rides, several swimming pools, a roller skate and skateboard area, and a number of discos and nightclubs (see next section).

The Avenue of the Stars in the park is 300 m long by 40 wide and has over 2000 LEDs in the pavement which do computer-controlled light shows. A musical fountain down its center has 240 water nozzles, also computer-controlled.

Buses 11, 22, 31, 43, 54, 66, 71,102, 504, 520, 533, 625, 803, 808 and 810 stop just outside the park at the Haiwan Gongyuan stop. From the westernmost stop on the BRT, it is a ten-minute walk north along the seacoast to reach the south end of the park. From the area around the Marco Polo, a ten-minute walk west on Hubin Bei Lu puts you at the north end of the park.

Xiada Street, between the university main gate and Nanputuo Temple, has many restaurants. These mainly cater to the student trade, so they tend to be relatively plain but to offer good value. Neither English menus nor English-speaking staff are common.

Along the boardwalk by the beach, from near the university out toward Hulishan Fortress, are many more restaurants and food stalls.

• Red Armadillo , 18 Zeng Cuo An, Huandao Rd , ☏ +86 592-256-4128 . A restaurant serving American and Mexican food.  
• Prague Cafe . A Czech restaurant with hamburgers, homemade sandwiches, Czech beer, and organic Xiamen-made bread. Sometimes there is goulash as well. Prices are good (about ¥45 for a very large hamburger with fries). Owner/manager is Czech and speaks English. Across from Xiada.  
• 24.44238 118.08851 5 Dafang ( 大方素食馆 ), 408 Siming South Road 思明南路408号 . Upscale all-vegetarian restaurant. ¥60–100 . ( updated Mar 2024 )

Other areas [ edit ]

There are also restaurants and bars at various other locations around town.

• Lujiang Harbourview Hotel , Lujiang Road & Zhongshan Rd ( Just south of the Gulangyu ferry terminal ). Has a nice sixth floor al fresco restaurant looking out at Gulangyu Island. The restaurant has an English menu and serves Fujian specialities. Highlight was some excellent wasabi marinated cucumber slices.  
• Indiano John's , 69 Jian Tou Bei Lu ( SM Mall area ), ☏ +86 592-5557699 . Indian food  
• Temptation of Spicy Fragrance ( 香辣诱惑川菜馆 ), No.625, Xianyue Road (inside the Smart Hero Club 骏豪会) ( SM Mall area ), ☏ +86 592-555-1111 . An upmarket Sichuan place.  
• Little Chili ( Xiao La Jiao ), Xiahe Commercial Building (厦禾商厦), No.323, Xiahe Rd , ☏ +86 592-291-7773 . daily 11:00-22:00 . Offers excellent Chinese food, mainly spicy Sichuan food, at an affordable price. There is English on the menu, but staff do not speak English.  

Drink [ edit ]

As everywhere in China, there are many tea houses in Xiamen and many KTVs (the 'K' is for Karaoke); both are quite popular with locals. See China#Drink for background information. A local speciality is kung fu tea (工夫茶), a type of black tea that is also popular in Chaozhou and in Taiwan .

Xiamen also has many bars and discos in a more-or-less western style; these are generally more affordable than comparable places in Shanghai or Beijing. Although crowded, these places are generally safe. Some caution is required, however, since pickpockets sometimes take advantage of the crowding and drunken customers sometimes get combative.

• 1801 Bar , 1st floor of the United Hotel, Hubin Bei Lu (Lakeside South Road) , ☏ +86 592 520 1801 . A disco with mainly R&B and hip-hop music. Open well into the small hours, sometimes past dawn.  
• Dushang bar ( 湖滨东路188号1楼 ), No.1 Building, No.188 Hubin Dong Lu (Lakeside East Street) , ☏ +86 592-507-5078 . Loud and expensive, but popular and lively.  
• The Key ( 湖滨西路海湾公园109号 ), 109 Hubin Xilu (Lakeside West Street) ( Haiwan Park, on the inland side ). Live music from a Filipino cover band with a broad repertoire — jazz and latin as well as rock and hip hop.  
• KK Disco Pub ( in Haiwan Park, near the Key ).  

Also, most of the major hotels have live music from Filipino cover bands in their bars.

Alternative and cheaper nightlife can be found in Zengcuo An, formerly a separate village now a neighborhood near Xiamen University. Here you find a lot of cheap pubs, open-air BBQ´s and casual gatherings of students and other young people who enjoy the sunset and mild Xiamen nights over a drink.

• Temple Cafe , No. 61 Zengcuo An, Siming District , ☏ +86 592-209-6780 . Coffee, beer and cocktails in a unique location, in the courtyard of a functioning Buddhist temple. Western menu, moderate prices.  

That area also has many hotels, mostly small and moderately priced.

Sleep [ edit ]

This lists accommodation on Xiamen Island only. Staying in Jimei instead might save a little money and could be reasonably convenient if you choose a place near a BRT stop. There is also plenty of accommodation on Gulangyu .

Budget [ edit ]

• 24.459709 118.075197 1 Xiamen Old Town Hostel ( 厦门古街青年旅舍 ), Kaihe Road, 24 Jiutiao alley (开禾路-九条巷24) ( from Train Station take the BRT in front of the station #3/#2/#1 exit at Kaihe Road stop (开禾路). The hostel is a little hard to find, deep in a maze of narrow alleys, but the neighbors seem to know that travelers are looking for this place. From the airport it is best to take a taxi to intersection of Xiahe road (厦禾路) and Kaihe Road (开禾路). From there, call the hostel and staff will come find you. ), ☏ +86 13313848939 , [email protected] . Check-in: 12:30 , check-out: 12:00 . A family-run hostel in a three-floor house located in one of the oldest parts of Xiamen, very central. The hostel has a large rooftop garden with a view of the city and harbour, wireless Internet, and big community kitchen. It is right off of the Kaihe road food market, one of the largest open air markets in China with lots of fresh veggies and seafood. You can also eat some the cheapest food in China at many small local eateries. ¥60 4-bed dormitories. Single rooms start at ¥120 .  
• Hostel Locanda , No.35 Minzu Rd, Siming District , ☏ +86 592 2082918 . One block from the waterfront with Gulangyu island across the water. It is a 10-minute walk to Zhongshan Road and Lundu Ferry and 20-minute walk to Xiamen University. Lovely double rooms upstairs, but the dorms on the ground floor are cramped and the shared bathrooms far from clean. Garden but no kitchen at all.  
• Xiamen Baijiacun International Youth Hostel , 20 Liaohua Lu (蓼花路20) ( from Songbo (松柏) bus station, take bus #86/#616 to Gongyuan Dong Lu (公园东路), the hostel is on the opposite side with a red wall, taxi ¥17 ), ☏ +86 592 2131010 , [email protected] . Clean, spacious hostel in a great location at Zhongshan Gongyuan (中山公园). ¥50 8-bed dormitory .  
• Xiamen International Youth Hostel , 41 Nanhua Road, Siming District , ☏ +86 592 2082345 , fax : +86 592 2199876 , [email protected] . Very well kept YHA hostel, dorms or rooms are impeccably clean and comfortable. Friendly, small kitchen, bar, space to sit. Close to Xiamen university and easily reached by bus (1 or 21 from the railway station, ¥1).  
• Meihulu Hotel ( 美湖鹭酒店 ), 52-5 Hubin Nan Lu (湖滨南路52-5号), Siming District ( Almost invisible on the opposite left of the long-distance bus station ), ☏ +86 2572255 . Small place that accepts foreign passports and is quiet, yet conveniently located. From ¥70.  
• Xiamen Travellers' Home ( 旅行者之家 ), No.23 Zeng Cuo An, Island Ring Road 厦门环岛路曾厝垵23号 , ☏ +86 592 2516180 -136 0693 7090 . A very homy place to stay for holiday. clean, great hospitality, 5 rooms ensure small number of guests staying. low seaon – ¥200, high season ¥280/night .  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Gem Hotel . Beautiful Japanese-style rooms overlooking much of downtown Xiamen. Includes Chinese buffet breakfast and free wired internet access. Most of the staff speak English well and are extremely helpful. ¥200+ .  
• Jing Hua Hotel , 1130 Xiahe Rd, Siming District , ☏ +86 592 5819898 . Three-star hotel offering 146 air-conditioned rooms, all of which have Internet access, satellite TV, and mini-bar. Some of its amenities include KTV, fitness center, and sauna. Best rates on official website start at ¥258 .  
• 24.4561 118.0699 2 Lujiang Harbourview Hotel , 54 Lujiang Rd ( 100 metres south of the ferry station, at the foot of Zhongshan Road ), ☏ +86 592 2022922 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . A grand old place, very central, near the Gulangyu ferry terminal. The restaurant has authentic dim sum.  
• 24.48186 118.092828 3 Somerset Software Park Xiamen , No.2 Jinshan Rd, Siming District , ☏ +86-592-3236-888 , [email protected] . With 167 apartments ranging from studio to three bedroom apartments, the property is equipped with a breakfast lounge, children's playground, gymnasium and a video room. ( updated Oct 2017 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• Le Méridien Xiamen ( 厦门艾美酒店 ), 7 Guanjun Rd , ☏ +86 592 770 9999 , fax : +86 592 770 9998 , [email protected] . Surrounded by open spaces and lush vegetation. Nestled on a slope of Xianyue Hill. Breathtaking views of Xiamen Bay.  
• 24.4782 118.0835 4 Marco Polo Hotel . This hotel is on Yundang Lake, and offers a very good international buffet and a great atmosphere.  
• Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen , 12-8 Zhenhai Rd , ☏ +86 592 2023333 , fax : +86 592 2036666 , [email protected] . Check-in: 12:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Located in downtown Xiamen which is a major shopping and business district, the hotel is only minutes away on foot to the ferry to Gulangyu Island. It features a 22-story building that houses 352 rooms that include various business facilities including a work-desk and high speed Internet access.  
• Pan Pacific Xiamen , 19 Hubin Bei Lu (Lakeside North Road) , ☏ +86 592 507 8888 , toll-free: 0800 0850 229 , fax : +86 592 507 8899 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . A super modern hotel with stunning sea views and natural scenery. The rooms use a lot of glass and modern design techniques. The hotel also has an excellent ¥100 lunch buffet. Facilities include a fitness center, spa and pool. Rooms start at ¥630 .  
• Sheraton Xiamen Hotel , 386-1 Jiahe Rd , ☏ +86 592 5525888 . The latest international chain hotel to grace Xiamen's shores. It is very plush, and the Waves Pan Asian buffet is very good.  
• Xiamen Fliport Software Park Hotel . Luxury hotel in a software park development area near the airport  

Connect [ edit ]

There are consulates in Xiamen for:

• The Philippines , ☏ +86 592 513-0366 , [email protected] . No. 2 Ling Xiang Li, Lianhua District,  
• Singapore , No. 189, Xiahe Road #05-07/08, The Bank Centre , ☏ +86 592 268-4691 , [email protected] .  
• Thailand , Building No.3 (City Hotel Xiamen), No. 16 Hu Yuan Road , ☏ +86 592 202-7980 . Visa section open only 09:00-11:30. ( updated Jan 2017 )

Some news stories have indicated that the US is considering opening a consulate in Xiamen, but as of Jan 2021, no such announcement has been made. Staff from the Guangzhou consulate visit Xiamen to provide services to Americans there.

Cope [ edit ]

In addition to the supermarkets listed under buy above, Xiamen has a number of smaller stores catering to expat residents.

• Tastylife , 10-105 Jianye Rd ( near the Marco Polo ). The most comprehensive collection of western supermarket items including a good selection of international beers.  

Go next [ edit ]

• Hakka Tulou – 3–5 hours west of Xiamen are these large earthen structures where a number of residences are built inside a single fortified compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• Kinmen – Islands controlled by Taiwan have charming villages with traditional Fujianese architecture and interesting cold war defenses. One-hour ferry ride from Dongdu Wharf, or 30 minutes from Shuitou Wharf.
• Quanzhou – This ancient city has come down in the world a bit since Marco Polo sailed home from there around 1290 and described it as one of the two busiest ports on Earth and incredibly rich. However, it is still well worth a visit. The old fortress town of Chongwu is located farther east, and has direct buses from Xiamen.
• Liu'ao – a windswept peninsula with long beaches and strange rock formations, south of Xiamen.
• Chaozhou – Just across the border in Guangdong province, main center of Teochew culture, and whose Teochew dialect is closely related to Minnan.

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Xiamen Travel Guide

The city of Xiamen, Fujian Province, is situated on the coast about 50 kilometers, measured from the city center to city center, below the city of Quanzhou. Since China's coast here lies on a southwest-northeasterly axis, with Taiwan, which also lies on the same directional axis, situated some 150 kilometers off the mainland coast, this means that the center of Xiamen lies about 50 kilometers southwest of the center of Quanzhou. To place the city of Xiamen in relation to Taiwan, the nearby city of Quanzhou lies on a parallel, or latitude, that intersects the island of Taiwan roughly at its north-south center. Like many medium-sized cities in China, Xiamen consists not only of the city proper, but of a good portion of the surrounding "upland", even though Xiamen is not officially a prefecture-level city (albeit, as an SEZ, or Special Economic Zone, Xiamen has provincial-level authority in economic matters).

Thus Xiamen includes Xiamen Island itself, which the districts of Huli and Siming are located (Si-ming, or "Remembering Ming", is a reference to the Ming (CE 1368-1644) Dynasty , Siming being an older name for the present-day city of Xiamen). The piece of land located due west of Xiamen Island, and on which the city of Haicang is situated, is also a part of Xiamen, as are Jimei and its environs to the northwest, Tong'an and its environs to the north and Xiang'an and its environs to the east. In all, including the expanses of ocean surrounding Xiamen Island itself, Xiamen spans an administrative area of some 1500 square kilometers, a rather sizeable area, all things considered. Xiamen Island is connected to the mainland via a series of bridges to the west and to the north of the island.

As a port city, Xiamen has an ancient history, though the city only became important as a budding port with the advent of the Song (CE 960-1279) Dynasty , and really only became a major Chinese and international port during the Ming Dynasty, as the following historical review reveals.

A Brief History

The city of Xiamen, like the city of Quanzhou, belonged to Quanzhou Prefecture, which area was earlier known as Min Nan ("Southern" Min – of the Minyue , one of the many tribes of the "Hundred Yue" peoples who resided on the southern fringes of pre-Han (BCE 206 – CE 220) Dynasty China). In Hokkien , which is one of the major Min Nan languages, the city of Xiamen was known as É Mui , or "Lower Gate", quite possibly a reference to the Nine Dragon River on which the city is situated (in ancient Asian culture – of which the Chinese culture was the most dominant – valleys, rivers, and mountain ranges, etc., had natural access points, or gates). The English language bastardization of É Mui was "Amoy", a name that stuck for a very long period, and whose Hokkien original is still used in certain parts of Xiamen. And of course, the name Amoy was used in many European historical contexts, and, as well, is used in many modern commercial contexts, such as in Amoy noodles, Amoy soy sauce, etc., and of course, the Hokkien dialect of Xiamen is called, in English, the Amoy dialect.

The earliest Chinese footprint on Xiamen came during the 3 rd year of the Taikang reign (CE 280-289) of Emperor Wu Di of Western Jin (CE 265-316) Dynasty, or in CE 282, when the area in and around present-day Xiamen was designated as Tong'an County, part of the then Jin'an Prefecture. Later, Tong'an County would become a part of Nan'an County. During the Tang (CE 618-907) Dynasty , Nan'an County was renamed Tong'an, as part of Quanzhou Prefecture. During the Song Dynasty, when piracy was increasingly becoming a problem for China, the entire area, including Quanzhou Prefecture, came under the jurisdiction of the Chinese military, centered in the city of Quanzhou, and the port at Xiamen was of supreme military importance. Even at this point in time, however, Xiamen was hardly larger than a moderate-sized fishing village. It was first during the Ming Dynasty that the fishing village was built up, becoming first a town (during the reign (CE 1328-1398) of the Hongwu Emperor, Emperor Taizu), then a city. Quanzhou had in the meantime become a province of the same name.

Xiamen became an important trade and resupply port used by Europeans beginning in 1541, in the middle of the Ming Dynasty period. It was the Portuguese, especially who were making their colonial presence felt in Asia at the time. The Portuguese had earlier entered into an agreement in 1535 with the Ming government of Emperor Shizong (aka the Jiajing Emperor, whose reign stretched from 1521-66) to use Macau as a resupply port, but the port at Xiamen was the first Chinese port during the period to be used for the purpose of foreign (European, and principally Portuguese) trade as well as resupply.

One of the most famous native personages of Fujian Province, Zheng Chenggong, aka Koxinga, the Chinese pirate and national hero who helped reclaim the island of Taiwan from Holland in the beginning of the Qing (CE 1644-1911) Dynasty , is claimed by the city of Xiamen as their son, while the famous hero was in fact born in the nearby small village of Nan'an (the city of Quanzhou also claims to be the hometown of Koxinga). In 1655, Xiamen Island was renamed as Siming ("Remembering Ming", as indicated above) Island by none other than Koxinga himself, though a few years later, in 1680, Xiamen would become Xiamen Subprefecture (to read an altogether different view of the pirate Koxinga (some say that Zheng Chenggong cum Koxinga, a Han Chinese "guerilla war" seaman who harassed and fought the Manchu Qing government as much as he possibly could, albeit, in the classic 'attack and melt away' style of the land guerilla, first turned his attention to Taiwan, which was occupied and weakly defended by the Dutch, when he was definitively repulsed by Qing government forces... on Taiwan, Koxinga would abandon the guerilla-style of attack in favor of a ferocious, sustained attack, or siege), click here).

Xiamen Island and its port would become one of the five Chinese ports to be opened to foreign trade as part of the armistice at the close of the First Opium War (1839-42), i.e., the Treaty of Nanjing (1842), the first in a long series of humiliating, so-called Unequal Treaties, the last agreed to in 1933 between Japan and the Republic of China. Two of these five ports, Fuzhou and Xiamen, would also be open to foreign missionaries, and thus Xiamen – or Amoy, as it was called by the Europeans and the North Americans – became a center for Protestant Christian missions to China in the years to follow; Amoy is in fact the birthplace of Christian Protestantism in China.

Prior to the escalation of the trade conflict between Britain and China that led to Britain's importation of opium into China as a way to redress the trade imbalance between the two countries (which was grossly in China's favor) – an escalation that would produce two short wars between these two countries – Xiamen served as an unofficial foreign trading center, where silk, spices and other Chinese goods were sold under-the-counter to those foreign governments that were willing to accept such an arrangement – mainly Holland, Portugal and Spain.

The British were not content with this back-door, or under-the-counter, trade arrangements, insisting on over-the-counter trade arrangements with the Qing government. This led first to the British import of opium into China from India (meaning that it was an acceptable import from a neighboring country with which China had long-established trade arrangements), a British move that only raised the ante, as it were, in this high-stakes gamble between Britain and China.

Since the trade-in opium was a clever, roundabout British tactic ultimately aimed at redressing the trade imbalance between the two countries (the imbalance was due to the Qing government's reluctance to open China up to foreign imports – or rather, the two-way trade which had earlier flourished was suddenly and unilaterally halted by the Qing government), it infuriated the Chinese, who were further incensed over the fact that many of its citizens were becoming addicted to the substance (as were many foreigners, some of whom were distinguished writers and artists, including the British poet, Rudyard Kipling, though this latter development was of no particular concern to China except that it further tipped the balance of trade in Britain's favor). Eventually, the lack of reconciliation on both sides led to the first one, then another "opium war", as they were called.

The British were pushed out of Xiamen when the Japanese occupied practically the entire coast of China, as well as the island of Taiwan, during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-45), which morphed into the Pacific Theatre of the Second World War (1939-45) in the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 (note that the Japanese had acquired the island of Taiwan from China already in 1895, as part of the armistice that concluded the First Sino-Japanese War (August 1, 1894 – April 17, 1895)). During the Xinhai Revolution (October 10, 1911 – February 12, 1912), which resulted in the forced abdication of the last Chinese emperor, Emperor Xuantong (1908-11), Xiamen Subprefecture again briefly became Siming Island, but after the Republic of China (1912-1949) had been established, Siming Island became Xiamen City.

Since Taiwan had long ceased to be a part of China, and since the island became a refuge for Chinese Nationalist forces under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek in the wake of the Communist Revolution on the mainland – which civil war had hotted up considerably after the defeat of Japan in 1945 – some of the small islands that earlier made up a part of Xiamen came under the control of the Nationalists forces of Chiang Kai-Shek. Thus, the two small archipelagoes of Matsu (alternatively, Mazu) and Kinmen (Quemoy), whose closest small islands are located only a few kilometers from Xiamen Island, became – as they remain to this day – a part of Taiwan, albeit, a Taiwan which mainland China considers little more than a break-away province.

Control of Gulangyu Islet, which belongs to present-day Xiamen, was wrested from the Qing government in 1903 by certain members of the same foreign powers behind the so-called Unequal Treaties, and became an international settlement occupied by European and Japanese traders – and even by certain wealthy overseas Chinese traders – who built lavish mansions, consulates, and churches on the island. Gulangyu Islet fell to the Japanese in 1942, but reverted back to the Republic of China as the defeat of Japan in 1945 before it was conquered by Chinese Communist forces under Mao Zedung.

Present-Day Xiamen

As earlier indicated, Xiamen is one of China's five SEZ, thanks in part to its naturally-occurring deepwater port that never freezes over and – thanks to the harbor's special currents – silting is never a problem. Xiamen's main industrial activities are shipbuilding, machine tool manufacturing, telecommunications, chemical production and food processing, as well as tanning and textile fabrication. Xiamen also has a budding financial services sector, and the city's importance as a venue for large-scale conferences of every stripe is growing exponentially (one of Xiamen's major annual conferences is the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (think: foreign direct investment), held in September).

Many of Xiamen's foreign direct investments stem from neighboring Taiwan, where the Hokkien dialect is quite similar to the Amoy dialect on Xiamen, aka the South Fujian Dialect, though there are many Xiamen investors who hail from Hong Kong and Macau. As a SEZ, Xiamen is divided into 5 special trade zones, whose respective functions can be directly derived from their names: Xiamen Export Processing Zone, Xiamen Haicang Taiwanese Investment Zone, Xinglin Taiwan Merchants Development Zone, Xiamen Torch Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone and Xiamen Xiangyu Free Trade Zone.

Xiamen is also home to a unique cottage industry devoted to hand-painted oil paintings, employing some 5000 artists in Xiamen Wushipu Oil Painting Village and some 3000 artists in Xiamen Haicang Oil Painting Village. Alongside their hand-painted oil paintings, the two oil painting villages also produce accessories for painters – including paints, brushes and picture frames – that are sold in artist supply shops and in picture framing specialty shops worldwide. In China itself, the two oil painting villages directly supply wall paintings to numerous hotel chains and office complexes, and their products can be purchased in many upscale galleries throughout China. Abroad, their finished paintings and their painting accessories are popular in Europe and in North America. For example, about 80% of all hand-painted oil paintings found in commercial galleries in Europe and in North America stem from this unique cottage industry in Xiamen.

Another Xiamen cottage industry is the manufacture of sunglasses; with an export of some 120 million pairs of sunglasses annually, Xiamen is the world's largest supplier. Xiamen is also the world's largest supplier of Tungsten, due to its role as a SEZ. In addition, the island of Xiamen, thanks to its mild, subtropical climate, its abundant sunshine and its many islets, its clean, sandy beaches, coves, mountain cliffs and crags, odd rock formations and ancient, flower-studded temple grounds surrounded by ancient trees – not to forget the island's many interesting seascapes (Xiamen is often referred to as "The Garden on the Sea") – is a paradise for the active tourist.

Xiamen Island is also called "Egret Island", due to its suggestive shape, though legend would have it that this is because, in ancient times (really, really ancient times!), egrets in their millions nested on the island, therefore the bird-god transformed the island into the shape of the bird that made Xiamen its home (any tourist site in China worth its salt naturally has at least one legend attached to it, usually a legend that involves interaction between mortals and immortals).

There are numerous shopping malls in Xiamen, and of course, Xiamen has its fair share of international department stores and international supermarket chains such as Wal-Mart and Metro. If dining is your thing, and especially if you like the seafood recipes of Taiwan, you'll love Xiamen's many seafood restaurants. There are also numerous Western restaurants in Xiamen, serving everything from a quick pizza to a full-blown, four-course French meal. Nationally famous as the National Garden City, the National Model City for Environmental Protection, the National Sanitary City, the National Excellent Tourist City and China's most livable – if not most lovable – city, Xiamen is also a favorite destination for the foreign tourist.

Zhongshan Lu is a popular Xiamen shopping street lined with several upscale fashion shops and shoe stores. It also has a pedestrian mall with art galleries, movie theaters, bars and cafés. Xiahe Lu is a relatively new, albeit more conventional shopping street with several shopping malls that cater to every member of the family, from grandmother to the family's newest addition. Bailuzhou Shopping and Recreational Center is another large, conventional shopping environment replete with restaurants, bars, cafés, movie theaters, gaming arcades and fitness centers – it too offers something for everyone.

Xiamen is renowned for its Min Nan Music tradition, its Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, its many puppet shows, its Gezi Opera (a barely 100-year-old opera tradition shared by Taiwan and Fujian Province, Gezi Opera, unlike Beijing Opera and many other Chinese operas, makes little use of masks, but, in contrast, often makes use of several actors on the stage simultaneously) and its many temple celebrations. Other cultural highlights in Xiamen include an annual international music festival in May, various piano competitions round about the city where the public is invited to attend, weekend classical concerts on Huangyan Lu street near Sunlight Crag, aka Dragon Head Hill on the island of Gulangyu, which crag faces Tiger Head Hill across the water on Xiamen Island.

Other highlights in and around Xiamen include: neighboring Gulangyu Island, under the jurisdiction of Xiamen, with its unique and uniquely beautiful landscapes that include the aforementioned Sunlight Crag, Yuyuan Garden, Garden of Beans and Bright Moon Garden; Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall; Hulishan Fortress (one of the best-preserved fortresses of its kind, it is truly a must-see attraction); South Putuo Buddhist Temple; the Botanical Gardens; and Wuyi Mountain, on which are located many temples – Taoist temples especially.

Xiamen-Gaogi International Airport (XMN) is well connected to the rest of China as well as to the region, with daily flights to regional Asian cities such as Bangkok, Jakarta, Kohong (Thailand) Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Manila, Nagoya and Osaka (Japan), Penang (Malaysia), Seoul, Singapore, and Taipei and Taichong (Taiwan). In addition, there are direct daily flights between XMN–Hong Kong and between XMN–Macau.

Xiamen Island and its environs have a mild, four-season climate, albeit, with very little frost and even less snow (the last snowfall in Xiamen occurred in January 1893, when the city was blanketed with a whopping 15 centimeters of snow, and to give an idea of the magnitude of this peculiar event, snow from this same storm fell on Macao, on Guangzhou and on Hong Kong). Xiamen was recently named as China's cleanest city, with one of the most pleasant, most ambient scenic atmospheres in all of China, a place where a morning, midday or evening stroll is inestimable. As an added attraction on Xiamen Island, motorcycles and mopeds are banned (they are elsewhere allowed in Greater Xiamen), as are the use of automobile horns.

Xiamen also won the highly prestigious LivCom Award in 2002 as the world's most environmentally-friendly city (the LivCom Award Committee functions under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme). In 2004, the city of Xiamen was among four winners (individuals, organizations and governments) of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor award (the other three 2004 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor winners were: President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique; the Centre for Development Communication (CDC – not to be confused with the Center for Disease Control in the US!), CDC being a self-help initiative in the Indian city of Jaipur aimed at collecting garbage and thus providing jobs to the poorest of the poor; and The Big Issue, a current affairs magazine that is published in 55 variants in 28 countries and which, as the title suggests ("The Big Picture" might be an acceptable alternative title), highlights many pressing social and political issues, local as well as international, and which is sold entirely by homeless street vendors who have thus secured an income of sorts, however modest.

Lastly, the proud inhabitants of Xiamen will insist that the world-famous Ming Dynasty port of Quanzhou (China's largest at the time, and possibly the world's largest for a time) was not located in Quanzhou proper, but in Xiamen, which, at the time, was under the administrative jurisdiction of Quanzhou, and therefore considered a part of Quanzhou. Thus, according to the proud inhabitants of Xiamen, the intrepid traveler Marco Polo, when he set out for Persia from China en route to Italy – and with a Chinese bride-to-be destined for a Persian prince in tow – sailed not from Quanzhou harbor, as traditionally believed, but – of course! – from Xiamen harbor!

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Best things to do in Xiamen (expert tips and photos)

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated August 24, 2023 | China blog , Travel

Xiamen is in Fujian province just across the strait from Taiwan.

It’s a laid back, warm, relaxed coastal city with the perfect atmosphere for a holiday or a beach getaway.

Xiamen has been a popular holiday destination among Chinese people for years, but it’s only recently that it’s become known to the rest of the world as well.

I spent a few days relaxing in Xiamen, eating seafood and enjoying the warm weather. And I really recommend this city for a quick break away from the busyness of the rest of China.

Here are the best things to do in Xiamen from my perspective.

1. Spend a day on Gulangyu Island

You need to take a tourist ferry to get to Gulangyu. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

This island is the top attraction in Xiamen, and it’s located just a short trip from the mainland on the ferry. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right.

Gulangyu Island became an international settlement in 1903 when it became a treaty port. Over the years, it has played host to traders from France, Japan, England, and the Netherlands.

Because of this, the island is filled with mansions, colonial churches, government buildings and schools with a unique architectural style known as the Amoy Deco Style.

Even if you don’t like architecture that much, the island also has nice beaches, natural landscapes, gardens, and lots of places to eat.

Just make sure that you wear comfortable shoes when you’re on the island, as Gulangyu is car-free and you’ll have to walk everywhere.

Here’s what I recommend you see and do on the island:

• Spend time at the Piano Museum
• Stay the night to explore without the crowds (there are plenty of accommodation options)
• Explore the Sunlight Rock Scenic Area and its many attractions
• Wander around Shuzhuang Garden
• Explore more than 300 cultural relics and historical records at the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall.

Some places on the island (e.g. Piano Museum) attract an entrance fee, so you can pick and choose what you want to see.

Also note that you can’t swim in the island’s beaches, as blogger Mike points out in his Xiamen itinerary .

2. Snack your way along Zhongshan Road Walking Street

The local food is tasty! Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Yes, I will admit it, I mostly travel to eat, so my first stop in new cities is always the snack street. And Zhongshan Road Walking Street is the perfect place to have a meal or snack.

Although it’s not as large as other food streets in China, the food is still plentiful and good.

Zhongshan Road Walking Street is the oldest commercial street in the city, and it’s decorated with pretty, pink and white buildings. The street is at its best at night, when all the vendors come out with their sweet and salty snacks.

A lot of the food in this street is from Taiwan and you can also buy souvenirs at the many shops and stalls.

(You can find out more about the differences between Taiwan and China here .)

3. Hold your nose at Eighth Market

Walk down the city’s oldest produce market. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Not far from Zhongshan Road is Eighth Market. The locals call it “Ba Shi” (八市), and it’s the city’s original food market.

Ba Shi specializes in seafood, but you’ll also find lots of other weird and wonderful delicacies there. So hold your nose!

Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s nice just to wander down the alleys and imagine what Chinese market life would have been like a century ago.

With the exception of paying via phone, probably not much has changed.

4. Relax at Xiamen University

The famous Xiamen University grounds. Image by 4045 on Shutterstock.

It might sound strange to say that you should spend time at university during your holiday, but it really is worth your time.

Xiamen University is often described as the most beautiful university in China for its architecture as well as its mountain and ocean scenery. It’s also one of the top ranked universities in the country and was the first university founded by an overseas Chinese person.

Seated at the foot of Wulao Mountain and by the ocean, the university offers great views and easy access to other sites like beaches, temples, and Hulishan Fortress. Just be aware that you might get stared at by some of the local students or asked to be in photos with them during your visit.

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be pleased to know that appreciating the university’s grounds doesn’t cost a cent.

5. Zen out at Nanputuo Temple

Feel the serenity of Nanputuo Temple. Image by Claudio Zaccherini on Shutterstock.

Nanputuo Temple, also known as South Putuo Temple, was built during China’s Tang Dynasty.

It’s located is at the foot of the mountains overlooking the sea and is surprisingly beautiful and colorful and decorated with dragons and decorative figures.

When I took the time to wander around the temple complex, I loved the peaceful, graceful prayer halls including the Hall of Heavenly Kings. The temple grounds were also amazing, filled with gnarled trees and stretches of green.

The complex itself is huge, with lots of golden buddhas and other figures as well as a path behind the temple that leads up the mountain.

Entry into the temple is free but you will have to register first on a phone app before entering.

6. Explore the past at Hulishan Fortress

Cast iron cannon at Hulishan. Image by RonaldL on Shutterstock.

Hulishan Fortress is located on top of Huli Mountain in Xiamen’s south, overlooking the sea. The views it offers are spectacular, particularly on clear days, but the site’s history is equally important.

Hulishan Fortress has stood guard over Xiamen for over a century. It was first built in 1894 in the Qing Dynasty and has been recognized as an important historical site by the government.

The castle itself is made of granite and spreads over 13,000 square meters. There’s also a sentry platform, barracks, a commanding tower, and an ammunition depot to explore. And if you’re into old weaponry, make sure that you stop by the Rongguang Museum for artifacts from the site before you leave.

You can also get there early for the 8.30 open, when you’ll see guards in traditional uniforms opening the gates to visitors.

7. Be amazed by the Fujian Tulou Clusters

The Chuxi Tulou is one of the best to see. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

This is one of the best things to do in Xiamen.

The Fujian Tulou Clusters are technically located a couple of hours away from Xiamen, but they’re definitely worth the trip. Built by the local Hakka minority from the area, they’re a World Heritage Site and are some of the strangest yet spectacular constructs I’ve ever seen.

The buildings look like forts, but they’re actually mostly strange looking large residential buildings.

They come in a variety of shapes, from round buildings to fan and umbrella shaped ones, and look really striking against the lush greenery. That’s why spring is the absolute best time to see this historical relic.

There are many buildings and sites which make up the Fujian Tulou, and the Chuxi Tulou is one of the most stunning. You can ask your tour guide to take you there.

If you have the time, make sure that you stay in the area for a night for the chance of enjoying a homestay in one of these primitive, historically significant homes.

8. Have a picnic on Baicheng Beach

Even in winter, the locals head to Xiamen City’s beach. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Just to get this out of the way, it’s not a good idea to swim at this beach, in fact it’s prohibited.

But it’s still the best place to get some sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery, without leaving the city center.

Baicheng Beach offers soft sand, sunset views, and is a great place to just sit, eat your lunch, and enjoy some local flavor. Visit in the morning to see the locals fishing and at dusk if you want to eat your meal under the colors of the sunset.

9. Relax in Xiamen Botanical Garden

The botanic gardens are famous for cacti. Image by sleepingpanda on Shutterstock.

Also known as Wanshi Botanical Garden, this is one of the most famous gardens in all of China. It’s located on the southern slopes of Balcony Mountain and boasts ancient Chinese architecture and landscaping.

This garden is an idyllic oasis in the middle of the city, housing more than 1.8 million trees and over 4,000 types of plants. There are several different gardens within the main complex, but if you’re short on time, then I recommend you visit the Rose Garden and the Bamboo Forest first.

There are also several temples dotted throughout the gardens, including the famous Tiger Stream Temple, the Night Moon Temple, and The Purple Bamboo Grove Temple.

The gardens are near both the Nanputuo Temple and Xiamen University, making it quick and easy to get from place to place by Didi (China’s Uber) or even by foot.

10. Get crafty on Longtou Road

The cats of Gulangyu may distract you from shopping! Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

There are several popular shopping spots in Xiamen including Zhongshan Road, which is known for its food as well as its shopping, but there’s also Longtou Road.

Longtou Road is the main commercial street on Gulangyu and is lined with souvenir shops aimed at tourists.

This may seem a little too commercialized, but it’s the best way to see and buy local arts and crafts if you’re pressed for time.

Some of the crafts you can find in this little street are:

• Painted sculptures
• Pearl embroidery
• Carved lacquer wares
• Calligraphy

Just be very aware if you’re buying ‘antiques’ in China that they’re probably not authentic.

This kind of purchase is best left to experts, so focus your attention on what you like and want to enjoy personally rather than what you think might be valuable in the future.

11. Enjoy the local culture at Zeng Cuo An

Soak up the atmosphere at Zeng Cuo An. Image by Wuanxiang on Shutterstock.

This is an artistic fishing village. This might sound like a contradiction, but it shows how places can change over time.

In the past, Zeng Cuo An was a tiny little fishing village and it’s only recently that it’s grown up to become one of the most culturally significant villages in China.

This village is filled with unique shops housed in a mix of modern and quant buildings as well as some of the best guesthouses in China. If you want to stay in a fishing house, traditional courtyard, baroque villa, or quirky hostel, then you’ll have your pick in this area.

The food in this village is amazing as well, particularly in the 5 streets and 18 lanes area, and the village’s nightlife is filled with popular bars and folk music.

12. Take a trip to Quanzhou

The lovely mosque in Quanzhou. Image by Jiang Tianmu on Shutterstock.

Located less than an hour from Xiamen by high-speed train, Quanzhou is an ancient city that packs a thousand years of history behind its walls.

This city was one of the major hubs of the Maritime Silk Road and drawn in merchants from all over the world for centuries. This is why the city boasts some amazing Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Christian, and Islamic religious sites.

Quanzhou holds onto its past very tightly. Throughout the city, you’ll find buildings from different dynasties, old-style tea houses (where you can try local food and teas ), and religious rituals everywhere you look.

This city is truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience a unique culture and the past all at once, so make the time in your travel schedule to savor it.

Psst! A quick travel tip

Are you heading to Xiamen soon?

If you want to use Wi-Fi in China, you won’t be able to survive without a virtual private network (VPN) on your phone.

The Chinese internet is censored, and without a VPN all of your favorite sites and apps (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Gmail, Google, etc) are banned .

Just remember to download the VPN  before  you arrive as VPN sales are blocked in Xiamen as well as the rest of China.

You can see the  best China VPN here  or skip the review and go straight  here .

The takeaway: top things to do in Xiamen

For me and for lots of other people, Xiamen was a time to relax and get away from the noise, busyness, and rush of China’s biggest cities.

The climate is hot in summer and bearably cool in winter, so it’s the best place to visit at any time of year if you prefer warmer, subtropical temperatures.

It might sound strange, but my favorite place in the whole city was Xiamen University. The grounds were large and green, and we found an ice cream shop inside where we ate waffle cones as the sun went down.

I hope you liked my article on the best things to do in Xiamen. You can find an itinerary for Xiamen here or you may like to find out about neighboring coastal city, Fuzhou .

Main image credit: Supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

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Faq about things to do in xiamen, what can you do in xiamen.

The most popular tourist attractions are Gulangyu Island and the Fujian Tulou earth buildings – both world heritage sites. You can also visit the huge botanical gardens, walk along the city beach, and go shopping on Zhongshan Road.

Are there things to do in Xiamen at night?

Shops are open until late in China, so shopping and eating are the best things to do in Xiamen at night. As Xiamen is a coastal city, you can find some delicious seafood restaurants. The tourist ferry to Gulangyu Island stops in the evening, so if you’ve booked accommodation there then keep this in mind.

Are there things to do in Xiamen for kids?

Yes, there’s Xiamen Underwater World, which is located on Gulang Island. It’s a good place for kids who want to learn about marine life. While the Fujian Tulou buildings are an amazing attraction for adults, kids might get bored and they’re a couple of hours away from Xiamen by car too.

Is Xiamen expensive?

As a tourist in China, Xiamen isn’t any more expensive than the other big cities. I’d say it’s probably average in terms of the cost of food and transport, etc. However, living in Xiamen can be expensive due to the cost of housing.

Is Xiamen safe?

Yes, it’s a safe city like everywhere else in China.

How do you pronounce Xiamen in English?

You can say it like this: “see armen”.

Commercial relationship disclosure: The Helpful Panda has commercial arrangements with organizations that may appear on this page, such as affiliate links. See our terms for more info.

Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

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Xiamen travel guide

"The city in the ocean, the ocean in the city" - Xiamen charms as a graceful "garden on the sea." Islands, reefs, rocks, temples and greenery interplay in harmony. Overseas Chinese and Taiwanese customs fuse with seaside cuisine and exotic architecture into one. The spring-like climate all year round puts the finishing touches on Xiamen's allure. 

Strolling the peaceful Gulangyu Island, winding lanes link shops brimming with artistic flair. Global architectural styles stand in dialogue. Step into the century-old South Putuo Temple, with chanting drifting alongside. Modernity and antiquity exist side by side - the bustling Xiamen University, dubbed "China's most beautiful campus", exudes an artsy vibe just across the street. 

Xiamen's beauty is diverse, serene yet vivid, awaiting your footsteps to discover inch by inch.

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How to enjoy a Xiamen weekend getaway solo 厦门

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on Published: November 19, 2017  - Last updated: January 14, 2024

Categories China , FAM Trip

I wasn’t sure what to expect when Xiamen Airlines invited me up to this coastal city in the Fujian province on China ‘s eastern coastline, but  Xiamen 厦门 really surprised me. I found Xiamen a pleasant coastal city with great weather (there are actual smog-free blue sky days!) and a great destination for a short relaxing weekend getaway. Here is my 3D2N Xiamen itinerary and guide on things to do in Xiamen even if you only have a long weekend to explore.

Why visit Xiamen?

Xiamen is what China bills as a 2nd tier city – it’s not as cosmopolitan as Shanghai nor as historically grand as Beijing – the Great Wall of China is really something to see if you haven’t already. And bits of China still irk me, like the sheer number of people at popular places and all that spitting…  yech! But the Fujian people are friendly and there is an interesting mix of Chinese and western-style influences not often seen in China, largely due to Xiamen’s history with international trade as a Treaty Port and currently a Special Economic Zone.

Visiting this region is also a bit more personal for me. Xiamen is part of the Fujian province in Southern China, and the people from this coastal region have historically been quite adventurous – many of them took to the sea and made that long journey down towards South East Asia or what they called Nanyang (South Sea) to seek their fortune, including my great-grandparents who eventually set down roots in Singapore. While I have no idea which part of Fujian my ancestors came from exactly, visiting this region and seeing hints of my family’s scant tradition has been an intriguing experience.

Things to do in Xiamen

Here is a suggested 3D2N itinerary of sights you can see in Xiamen, most of it is centred around the busy Siming District 思明 on Xiamen Island.

Xiamen currently sees more domestic than international tourists at this point, so while there will be crowds on weekends, the city is nowhere as packed as places like Beijing and Shanghai. Just make sure to avoid Chinese holidays like Golden Week where crowds will be pretty unbearable no matter where you go in China.

Based on the early Xiamen Airlines flight, you will be ready to start exploring in the late afternoon.

Hulishan Fortress 胡里山炮台

Start your tour of Xiamen with a little bit of history – Hulishan is in the south of Xiamen Island and most famous for its many cannons on display, including 2 historic German 28cm Krupp cannons, the largest and some of the most well preserved coastal artillery in the world. The Germans themselves apparently don’t own any of these themselves and were trying to persuade the Chinese to sell these back to them.

This fortress was once an important post in China’s defence outpost, and you have a lovely view of the Dadan and Erdan islands from here. You might notice that it has a fair bit of western influence in terms of architecture and design.

Also curious are the many banyan trees all around the fortress with their great big roots perched atop the stone – it’s quite a sight.

Getting there: 2 Zengcuoan Road, Siming District 思明区曾厝垵路2号 Opening Hours: 0730hr – 1730hr (winter) or 1800hr (summer) Entry Fee: 25 yuan

Zengcuoan Village 曾厝垵村

Head about 2km east along Huandao Road (cycle if you can) towards Zengcuoan for some refreshments – This old fishing village in the south reminds me a lot of Beijing’s Nanluoguxiang, a maze of preserved old houses and lots of little shops in them, largely thanks to the influx of young hip folk from the nearby Xiamen University and tourists.

Expect super narrow lanes and a ton of people squeezing by you – keep an eye on your stuff. It’s got a nice lively atmosphere and fun to hang out in for a few hours eating street food and doing a little shopping until the crowds become a tad claustrophobic.

Getting there: 2 Zengcuoan Road, Siming District 思明区曾厝垵路2号

Above the Clouds Xiamen 云上厦门

Head back towards the Xiagang 厦港 district for the evening. Those who like a 360º viewpoint can consider checking out this viewpoint 55 stories up during sunset where you can see all the way to Kinmen on a clear day. It’s a typical tower viewpoint with floor to ceiling glass panels and signs that show you the various sights from up high around downtown Xiamen.

It’s not the cheapest thing to do if you are on a budget, but if you love a good view, pick a good clear day.

Getting there: Level 55, Shimao Straits Tower B, Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 厦门世茂海峡大厦观光厅, 厦门市思明区大学路世茂海峡大厦B塔55F Opening Hours: 0930hr – 2200hr Entry Fee: 120 yuan (S$25) for a normal ticket, 140 yuan to go up to Level 58 Love Platform

Dingaozai Cat Street 顶奥仔猫街

This sloping lane just off Siming South Road is a mishmash of street food and hipster clothing shops – prepare to encounter lots of photo-taking visitors taking selfies with the many cat-themed graffiti and art along this stretch. It’s got a nice vibe at night especially and is a nice place to visit along with nearby Shapowei Art Zone .

Random: Look out for the ‘Singaporean’ food stall here though it didn’t seem very popular and the menu didn’t seem particularly Singaporean either!

Getting there: Dingaozai, Siming District 思明区顶奥仔

Shapowei Art Zone 沙坡尾艺术西区

Converted from disused shipbuilding warehouses, Shapowei comes alive at night as a proper hipster zone, with a collection of little booths and stalls in an outdoor market, a live music stage, skate park and all sorts of cute cafes and lovely design-centric shops which is good for cute little souvenirs. It’s a nice place to just wander around and see what new things you can discover.

Getting there: 60 Daxue Road, Shapowei, Xiamen 厦门沙坡尾艺术西区60号之13设备房

I wish I had time to check out the nearby  Xiamen Art Museum of Chinese Elite 厦门中华儿女美术馆 which is located in what used to be the old fish market of Shapowei.

Bifengwu 避风坞

Shapowei used to be a thriving fishing village back in the day with a naturally sheltered bay or Bifengqu where fishing boats could take refuge from bad weather and rough seas. These days you’re more likely to find an eclectic mix of art galleries, hipster joints and traditional food stalls than traditional boats, though you can still spot a few out on the water.

The sheltered wharf area has a nice wooden boardwalk that makes for a lovely stroll whether it’s day or night. I love the blend of old and new all in one area, from the historic old Chaozong temple 朝宗宫 dedicated to the Sea Goddess Mazu built in 1662, to the revamped little cafes nestled in the old buildings that line the boardwalk.

The sheltered wharf area has a nice wooden boardwalk that makes for a lovely stroll in the evening, and there are lots of food options along this stretch and the neighbouring Daxue Street.

Lots of photo opportunities against the backdrop of picturesque cafes and the little wharf area – if you like this sorta thing, come spend a lazy afternoon just chilling out at one of these cafes here,

Watch out for your shoes at high tide though because the water splashes right up on to the boardwalk and floods it for about half an hour at its highest point; and the muddy shores during low tide sometimes attracts the famous white egret bird, the symbol of Xiamen.

I also enjoyed grabbing dinner at Zao ka 灶脚 , a little eatery that serves up some great local cuisine in a tiny diner. I had the traditional oyster noodles and the shacha meat skewers. Chinese readers can read a more in depth  interview about this little eatery.

Getting there: 37-39 Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 厦门市思明区大学路37-39号 Opening Hours:  0930hr – 2200hr

Another local favourite my guide pointed out was this little stall called  Zhenzhen Xiagang Luwei 真真厦港卤味   – Luwei quite simply described is the salty braised soy sauce mixture in which a whole bunch of different street snack food is dipped into and served. This particular branch here near Shapowei is the original outlet, though they have several branches around Xiamen island. If you are up to it go for the chicken feet, or for something less crazy get a braised egg instead.

Getting there: 37-39 Fengchao Road, Siming District, Xiamen 厦门市思明区蜂巢山路20-104号 Opening Hours: 0930hr – 2300hr

Yundang Road / Coffee Street 西堤咖啡一条街/篔筜路

If you still have energy, take a cab up to Yundang Road, north of Yundang Lake in the evening. This lake has an island floating in the middle of it called Bailuzhou Park 白鷺洲公園 or Egret Park and has a little 10min light projection show in the evenings from 8-9pm that runs 3-4 times and sees a lot of tourists, if you are into that sorta thing.

Instead, I recommend just hitting Yundang Road which is also known as Coffee Street , and popping into any one of the many cafes here to chill out in this super hipster stretch. Pick your favourite spot with a rooftop view and just have a relaxing evening up here. Stuff here is pricier of course – a drink will typically cost around 30-4o yuan (S$6-8) at least, but the ambience and view are good.

Have a very early start and be prepared to do a lot of walking

Wulao Peak Viewpoint 五老峰

Wulao Peak is located behind the famous Nanputuo Temple, and if you take an early morning hike up a long flight of stairs on the hill behind Nanputuo (cut through the temple towards the back), you can enjoy an excellent view of Xiamen from the peak. It took me about half an hour at a super quick pace (don’t hike with younger fitter folk omg) and is pretty steep, so I suggest giving yourself a bit more time.

Go early in the morning if you can when the air is cooler, but also because if you reach the peak before 7am, you can enter the neighbouring  Botanic Gardens 园林植物园 for free (usually 30 RMB). The gardens are pleasant enough for a walk if you like some greenery and there are some greenhouses and a cool cactus garden, but personally, I didn’t think it was that exciting.

Getting here:  Nanputuo Temple – 515 Siming South Road, Siming District, Xiamen

Xiamen Railway Cultural Park 夏门铁路文化公园

This park was built along a 4.5km stretch of abandoned Xiamen-Yingtan railway line between Wenping Road and Heping Dock – One of the park entrances is located right outside the entrance to the Botanic Gardens, so it’s a nice segue after your tiring climb up Nanputuo. Just follow the path that is built along the old railway tracks of Xiamen. Lots of joggers and cyclists around, it’s a nice patch of greenery in the middle of the city.

The entire stretch is actually split into 4 parts – I didn’t walk all of them, but I did enjoy the Hongshan Tunnel洪山隧道 that has become a cultural and historical gallery of sorts, with both its walls lined with the odd mural and information panel about the history of the railway construction and Xiamen.

Nanputuo Temple 南普陀寺

If you had to visit just one temple in Xiamen, Nanputuo Temple is probably your best bet. This large temple complex dedicated to Guanyin is named after a holy place in Zhejiang of the same name and is definitely worth a wander through even if you are not particularly religious like me just to take a peek at its beautiful architecture and grand Buddhist sculptures inside the halls. There is a nice garden area outside the main entrance which is also nice for a stroll.

It gets pretty crowded, so if you don’t want to be around too many people, walk around before you make the climb up to Wulao Peak.

One popular thing to do here at Nanputuo is to eat their vegetarian set meal, reputedly the best vegetarian cuisine in the Fujian province and has an over 100-year history of being provided to visitors to the temple. Those who know me know that I’m totally anti-veggies (sorry mum) but even I enjoyed this meal which you can enjoy in the restaurant next to the main shrines and halls.

Kulangsu / Gulangyu 鼓浪屿

Kulangsu or Gulangyu is a tiny island off the southwestern end of Xiamen Island and one of the most popular things to do for people visiting Xiamen, and it gets extremely crowded on the weekend. This UNESCO World Heritage site is going to be crowded every day, so consider staying overnight on the island because most of the crowd are daytrippers who leave when it gets dark, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet once everyone starts heading back in the evening, and early in the morning before the crowds stream in.

Because it was a treaty port, Gulangyu was a rare place in China open to foreigners who made their homes on this island, along with a lot of rich overseas Chinese. Wandering around the streets of Gulangyu feels a little like you’re in a weirdly European district, as many of these houses were strongly influenced by the foreigners living there to create a hybrid Colonial-Western-Fujian architectural style known as Amoy Deco Style.

Gulangyu is also known as the Piano Island with the world’s largest piano museum 钢琴博物馆 and a reputation for having the highest concentration of piano ownership. It’s also produced some world-renowned musicians (I’m not much of a classical music sort so I don’t recognise the names, unfortunately)

Sometimes Gulangyu felt a bit like a theme park of sorts, especially because the beautiful architecture is hugely popular with wedding photographers. Throughout the day that we were there, we saw wedding shoots set up side by side, and as many as 10 couples lined up in an alleyway getting that picture-perfect shot against the backdrop of a grand old house.

But that said, Gulangyu is a beautiful spot and feels quite unlike anything you will see in Xiamen so I think it’s worth just popping over to check out, even if for a few hours. It’s not a very large island, there are no cars allowed so I recommend wandering around and getting a little lost, but some things to check out:

One of my favourite views can actually be found on the 4th level of the Lee House 李家庄 right next to the Xiamen Music School. The first 3 levels are filled with tourist snacks and goodies for sale, but climb all the way to the top and you are rewarded with a beautiful view. It’s a hotel as well if you are interested in staying.

Climb up the Sunlight Rock 日光岩 for the best view of the island – we didn’t have time to visit but it looks like a nice spot for a little hike and view, and you even get to take a cable car. The Zhengchenggong or Koxinga memorial hall 郑成功纪念馆 is also nearby.

Shuzhuang Gardens 菽庄花园 is a nice manicured garden with over 40 bridges built by a very wealthy man. The Piano Museum is located in here as well.

Gulangyu used to be quite famous for the snacks and souvenirs that you could buy from here, but these days it’s easy to find these same brands in downtown Xiamen.

Getting there: Useful info here. Tourists and non-locals can only take a ferry from Xiamen International Cruise Centre in Dongdu 东渡厦门邮轮中心 to Sanqiutian Pier 三丘田码头 which runs every 20 minutes, and the trip also takes about 20 mins. A round trip ticket costs 35 yuan, and there are limited tickets available every day to help control crowds on the island, so make sure you buy or book your tickets early . (see if the site works for you? It doesn’t seem to load for me unfortunately, you should probably ask a local person to help you book tickets then). You’ll need your passport on hand to get your ticket and get past security checks to get on the boat.

If you are day tripping and making the trip back to the mainland in the evening, or if you are a local, you can take the boat from Sanqiutian to Xiamen Lundu Ferry Terminal 厦门轮渡码头2号厅 which is just across the water and only takes 5 minutes. The boats fill up quick so you might not have a seat, but it’s a short ride in either direction so you’ll be fine, just prepare yourself for the crowds and perpetual queuing to get on and off the boat.

Consider getting the tourist pass for 100 yuan, especially if you plan to visit Sunlight Rock which already costs 60 yuan just to enter. Check out this site for more info .

It’s been a hectic 2 days – before you go, why not do something a little bit more chill and hit one more last sight before you head to the airport.

Zhongshan Pedestrian Street 中山路步行街

Right near the Lundu harbour where you disembark from on over to the bustling Zhongshan Road which essentially is more shopping and food, but here’s where the architecture has a western flavour in a style called Qilou . It’s nice enough for a stroll and to grab some last-minute souvenirs and food before you head to the airport, but I visited at night and I was pretty damn knackered so I didn’t walk around that much.

Flying from Singapore to Xiamen

The direct flight from Singapore’s Changi Airport to Xiamen’s Gaoqi Airport is around 4 – 4.5 hours, about the same as if you were flying to Hong Kong, and actually closer than other favourite Singaporean hotspots like Taiwan and Japan.

I flew from Singapore to Xiamen courtesy of Xiamen Airlines – a full-service airline that has 2 flights to Xiamen every day.

SIN >> XMN

• 0855 – 1255
• 1540 – 2005

XMN >> SIN

• 1015 – 1445
• 1740 – 2210

Based on the flight timings, the best way to maximise a long weekend in Xiamen would be taking the morning flight up and the evening flight back .

Silkair is the only other airline that currently flies non-stop from Singapore to Xiamen, but at a higher price.

Xiamen Airlines is great as they serve you a full meal and drinks (pretty good food) on the 4 hour flight and you can get a blanket from them as well, but they have an honestly weird rule where you aren’t allowed to switch your phone on at all when the plane is in the air (even in flight safe mode), though laptops are fine during cruising mode.

Where to stay in Xiamen

Xiamen airlines lakeside hotel.

Xiamen Airlines put us up at the Xiamen Airlines Lakeside Hotel  厦门航空金雁酒店 [ booking.com affiliate link ] along Hubin South Road, right next to Bailuzhou Park and Yundang Lake. It’s a slightly quieter area that’s about 20 minutes walk to Coffee Street and Zhongshan Road – convenient enough but not quite in the thick of action which is good if you want a break from the madding crowds. Comfortable rooms that have just been renovated and a nice breakfast buffet spread that includes local favourites like oyster mianxian and for some reason, durian ice cream.

Xiamen International Youth Hostel

I extended the trip on my own and stayed in the Xiamen International Youth Hostel [ booking.com affiliate link ] which is right next to Nanputuo temple and opposite Dingaozai Cat Street. Location wise, this is pretty perfect as you are within walking distance of most of Siming District. It’s very budget friendly as well, costing me just 75 yuan/day (S$15) for a bed in a 4-bed dorm.

The rooms are pretty snug though – two bunk beds and not much floor space but there are large lockers (I could put my whole Cabinzero in) and the room came with an ensuite bathroom, though the sink is located outside. It’s surprisingly quiet despite being in a fairly high traffic area so bring your earplugs.

I did the Nanputuo walk to the Botanic Gardens with the hostel folk, which was a nice social activity, and there are pretty nice lounge areas both indoor and outdoor as well.

Getting around Xiamen

Right now the best way for travellers to get around Xiamen is to hop on a taxi. Taxis are not expensive, especially if you have a group of 3-4 to split the costs. Take an official taxi with a meter and not a black taxi. Generally, I’ve found the cab drivers to be honest enough, the only thing you might encounter is that they might take a slightly longer/winding route, but it’s still relatively cheap. It cost about 40 yuan (S$8) to get from Gaoqi Airport in the north to my hostel near Nanputuo in the south.

By Public bus

An alternative method is to take the public bus, which is actually quite comprehensive considering the size of Xiamen Island. It costs just 2 yuan per trip which makes it super budget friendly – it’s even cheaper if you get yourself an electronic yi-tong Card . There are automated signs on the bus to tell you where to stop, but it’s completely in Chinese so if you can’t read or understand Chinese, it might be a bit challenging.

Xiamen now has its own underground metro system or the Amoy Mass Transit Railway (AMTR) – it was under construction when I was there so I can’t really comment on how convenient it is, but I always love a good subway system for navigating a city.

If you have a Wechat account with a linked wallet – congratulations, and I highly recommend using it for cycling around using one of Xiamen’s many bike rental systems. Xiamen has built the Huandao Road and a dedicated raised cycling path, so it’s a nice way to see the city and get around quickly.

I visited Xiamen on a media trip sponsored by Xiamen Airlines. All views and opinions listed here are my own. Thanks also to Optimax for sponsoring the Roampass pocket wifi device that helped keep me online during this trip (You still need a VPN for certain blocked sites in China though).

Are you looking forward to a Xiamen Weekend Getaway? Tell me what else is a must-see. You can also check out my posts on Shanghai and Beijing for more on my travels in China.

Shikumen in Shanghai – a peek into Zhang Yuan 张园

How to visit Mutianyu Great Wall of China on your own for S$60 慕田峪

Hotel Jen Beijing review: Leave boring behind

Karina Mae Andaya

Friday 9th of November 2018

Is it cold there. i will be going to xiamen on Nov 29

Jaclynn Seah

well Google says it's cool but your weather app is probably going to be more accurate than I am...

Christos Skouras

Friday 24th of August 2018

I am soon visiting Xiamen in China and your blog has been the most helpful and thorough source for literally everything I wanted to know and which I am finding from scattered sources. Amazing work!

Saturday 25th of August 2018

glad you found it useful :) have a great trip!

Monday 27th of November 2017

Such a great post! And great tip with Wechat- I hear China is so futuristic nowadays that even roadside merchants have Wechat pay :) I can't wait to visit China again, and Xiamen looks like a great place to be!

I've seen beggars with QR codes to scan, talk about futuristic o_O

Xiamen's pretty cool because the Fujian culture is quite different from what I've seen in Beijing and Shanghai so far :)

Roxanne Reid

Saturday 25th of November 2017

So much delicious-sounding food, but I never enjoy a crush of people. I do love those tree roots, though - how brave to keep growing in difficult circumstances.

Xiamen's not as crowded as Beijing and China, and I think as long as you avoid the weekends and Chinese holidays, it's still quite ok for now :) Yeah those giant trees are beautiful

This is such a detailed post! I love how you break down the days by time and add so many useful tips! I really wanted to visit when I was living in China but unfortunately never got the chance. Thanks so much for sharing :)

Thanks Taylor! I hope you have the chance to go back in future :)

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Why this tour ?

1. The most popular Fujian Tour to Xiamen, Tulou & Wuyishan;

2. Wonderful Fujian nature, history & culture Tour in 5 Days.

1. Explore Xiamen - China’s Most Romantic Leisure City in real leisure;

2. Visit best Earth Buildings in Nanjing County;

3. An expecting discovery of “King of Fujian Tulou”.

1. Visit must-see Gulangyu Island with highlights in Xiamen;

2. Have a classic look at Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster.

1. Scenic walk around Gulangyu Island in leisure;

2. Cultural visits to best Fujian Tulou in Nanjing with Chengqilou;

3. Memorable sightseeing hiking at UNESCO Huangshan Mountain.

Xiamen Tours & Best China Xiamen Tour Packages 2024/2025

Xiamen , located on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province, is the most popular destination of the whole province. Favored by numerous travelers and vacationers, Xiamen is China’s cleanest and most beautiful seaport city, as well as China’s most romantic leisure city. With the beautiful topography of “city on the sea, sea in the city”, it has the wonderful reputation of “ Garden on the Sea ”, which provides quite comfortable weather for releasing. Also, this stunning developed big city boasts abundant spectacular scenery in and around, such as pleasant palm-lined beaches, azure sea, verdant mountains, stunning city skyline, tranquil temple, national beautiful Xiamen university, etc. To enjoy a real holiday! What’s more, its well-known Gulangyu Island which has been listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and praised as “International Architectural Expo” for the leisure cultural savory of over 50 featured Victoria-era style European buildings in fact appeals to countless groups of visitors, especially young people, to land in Xiamen.

How to Plan a Xiamen Tour

Visitors usually plan 1-2 days in Xiamen to relax with its city highlights including Gulangyu. However, being the best gateway to the nearby Fujian Tulou , which is also a World Cultural Heritage, Xiamen is planned together with an extension to Fujian Tulou in Nanjing and Yongding for most travelers, which usually takes 2-5 days. Besides, with convenient flight and bullet train connection to most domestic cities and destinations within Fujian Province, Xiamen is also the favorite gateway to explore other places in Fujian, including Wuyi Mountain , Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiapu , etc. 5-6 days is usually needed for a classic Fujian Province tour to Xiamen, Fujian Tulou and Wuyishan!

Moreover, lots of visitors also like to extend to other beautiful and popular destinations in China, like Huangshan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Guilin, Yunnan, etc. to enjoy more landscape, culture and history in one go! All our Xiamen tours and Xiamen China tours are customizable , so no matter where you want to go in China, please feel to  tell us  directly and let us help with your trip planning for the real admiration of unbelievable Xiamen in 2024/2025!

• Top 5 Xiamen Tours
• + Fujian Tulou
• Biking/Photo/Golf
• Side Trips to Xiapu/Fuzhou/Quanzhou

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Nanjing Tulou, Chengqi Building, Mount Wuyi

How to enjoy Fujian essences in the best way? This 5-day Fujian tour is your best choice to discover all the bests and musts of Fujian, including three terrific UNESCO World Heritage sites. You’ll enjoy comfortable coastal sightseeing in Xiamen with leisure stroll at outdoor architectural galley at Gulangyu Island in slow pace. Also, you’ll have a wonderful cultural day to nearby Fujian Tulou to admire those outstanding earthen buildings created by Hakka people among the lush and beautiful rice terraces mountain and field regions. Besides, you will visit famous Wuyi Mountain to appreciate its praisable Danxia splendors with large spread of green, lots of gratifying natural sceneries and enjoy the rich atmosphere of culture and history of ancient Chinese Dahongpao tea, three religions and literature!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Nanjing Tulou, Chengqi Building, Huandao Road

This 3 days tour is the most classic itinerary for your discovery of Xiamen’s city highlights with the best Fujian Tulou World Cultural Heritage! You’ll have a fantastic extensional discovery of the “Four Dishes and a Soup” cluster scenery amongst rice terraces mountain, “King of Tulou’ and more well-known amazing earthen buildings scattered at lovely rural villages, have a classic stroll exploration at Gulangyu Island to admire those UNESCO World Heritage architectures over 100 years old, savor Xiamen’s island landscape at the colorful scenic Huandao Road, and look at delicate traditional Buddhist buildings with garden designs in peace at Nanputuo Temple. Choose this tour to discover Xiamen in the best classic way!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster

Xiamen with easeful refreshing coastal scenery and Fujian Tulou with excellent Hakka earthen buildings constructed on beautiful rural mountains are the 2 most popular places in Fujian. Get away to the quiet and eye-pleasant rural Hakka villages in Nanjing and Yongding to appreciate the globally famous Fujian Tulou listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage for high architectural skills, exquisite designs and great function for communal living. Do not miss the must-see Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, nice Zhenchenglou, beautiful Chuxi Tulou Cluster, etc. Besides, Enjoy one full day relaxing in Xiamen with its appealing seashore sightseeeing without omitting the famous Gulangyu as a World Heritage with over 40 historical international architectures and overlook of Xiamen Island!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Hulishan Fortress, Nanjing Tulou, Nanputuo Temple

This 2 Days Xiamen Essence Tour is your best selection to discover the top bests of this beautiful Garden City. You’ll enjoy a pleasant cultural stroll on Xiamen No.1 - Gulangyu Island for a rich marvel at the over 100-year-old precious historical international architectures recorded as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and also visit the peaceful and lovely Nanputuo Temple for soul purification and Xiamen City panorama catching. What’s more, this trip takes you to Nanjing County to savor the famous Fujian Tulou that are also a World Cultural Heritage and have a personal look at not-missing Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yuchang Building, and more big and small Hakka earthen buildings!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Huandao Road Cycling, Nanjing Tulou, Zhongshan Road

This 3 days Xiamen tour is specially designed for your more fun discovery in Xiamen with an exciting 1-hour cycling experience along the colorful Huandao Road belting Xiamen main island. You will have a rich panorama of the well-known Gulangyu with over 50 UNESCO World Heritage international architectures and enjoy an interesting but also meaningful walk along Zhongshan Road for a wonderful marvel at the lined Fujian featured arcade buildings with fine carvings. Of course, you will not miss the best match with Xiamen - Fujian Tulou and marvel at those top amazing Hakka earthen buildings in various shapes and styles from outside to walking in and figure out why they have also been named as a World Cultural Heritage!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster, 2 nights' stay at luxury boutique Tulou hotel

How to spend a leisure and luxury holiday in Xiamen? This 5 day Xiamen and Fujian Tulou tour combines the best highlights in Xiamen including Gulangyu together with the top best Tulou clusters such as Tianluokeng, Zhenchenglou, etc. in Yongding and Nanjing in a comfortable slow pace. What’s more, it specially covers 2 nights staying at high-end boutique resort hotel which is refurbished from 5 authentic Tulou of over 100 years old, with prize-winning design, exquisite luxurious rooms, delicate food and beverages, fun Hakka activities, etc.

Highlights: Wuyi Mountain: Jiuqu Stream, Tianyou Peak, Dahongpao Tea Plantation, Xiamei Villge

This 3 days tour takes you to visit Wuyi Mountian in the most classic way, which covers the first day for your hassle-free arrival and the rest two days exploring the best natural and cultural highlights of Wuyishan with enough time for departure. So you’ll have great fun admiring the enchanting Danxia landscape of Wuyishan along the twisty stream, on the mountain, amongst valley, etc. Besides, you’ll savor the important tea culture at Dahongpao Tea Plantation and the three religious culture at the old palaces, streets, etc. to know why it is recorded as the world heritage site!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Jiuqu Stream, Tianyou Peak, Dahongpao Scenic Area

Why not go to Xiamen and Wuyishan for a refreshing holiday pleasing both eyes and mind? Xiamen boasting Gulangyu Island as a UNESCO World Heritage and “Garden on the Sea” is one of the best sunny holiday. While, Wuyi Mountain is also a precious World Natural and Cultural Heritage with enchanting Danxia landscape, rich tea culture of Dahongpao, and relics about Fujian ancestors and Chinese literati. This 4 days tour is the best combo to discover Xiamen and Wuyishan in one go. You’ll enjoy a laid-back day to Gulangyu and other best essences in Xiamen. And for the rest 3 days, take a high speed train to Mount Wuyi to discover most of its highlights of sightseeing and culture!

Highlights: Xiapu Mudflat, Gulangyu Island, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster, Hongkeng Tuluo Cluster

This 6-day photography tour is the best combo to shoot the most beautiful architecures and landscape as well as folk cultural life of Hakka people and seashore fishermen at Fujian Tulou villages and Xiapu mudflat area. Tulou is the embodiment of Hakka Culture and it’s the residence and fortress of Hakka people. This earth building complex is the distinguished one in the art of architectural world and has listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. It’s the great place for architectural photography and Hakka Culture photography. While, Xiapu is called the “most beautiful mudflat in China” and “photographer’s paradise”. Every year, numerous shutterbugs come here from various places around the world and have successfully recorded the affecting beauty through clicks!

Highlights: Play Golf, Gulangyu Island, Hulishan Fortress, Nanputuo Temple

This tour is specially designed for golf lovers. You'll play golf in the finest golf courses - Oriental Golf and Kaikou Golf. Also never miss the highlights of Xiamen City, like Gulangyu Island, Hulishan Fortress etc.

Highlights: Xiapu Mudflat Sunrise, sunset, sea life in different villages

Xiapu Mudflat, located in Ningde City of Fujian Province in Southeast China, is praised as “the most beautiful mudflat in China” as well as one of the “Top 10 Domestic Photography Bases” by those photography enthusiasts, where you can take countless fantastic pictures of the colorful beach, charming sunrise, glorious sunset, appealing mists, rolling mountains, groups of fishing-boats, working local “sea gypsies”, lovely islets, etc. You will feel your camera lack of storage space to collect all the amazing masterpieces of nature. It can be visited all the year round and different seasons show you different sceneries, with hidden surprises waiting for you. This 4-day Xiapu photography tour takes you to capture all the best beauties of Xiapu mudflat at its top popular amazing villagers and beaches!

Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Huandao Road, Nanputuo Temple, Sanfang Qixiang, Yongquan Temple, etc.

This 4 Days Classic Xiamen & Nanjing Tulou Tour with Fuzhou Highlights will take you to visit the ideal island vacation destination - Xiamen, the hottest tourist region of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Fujian Tulou - Nanjing and the bustling capital - Fuzhou in one Go! All are included in the short 4 Days, from romantic islands to unique Hakka buildings and culture, well-preserved historical blocks, soulful Buddhist monasteries, ancient residences of famous Chinese historical celebrities, beautiful gardens and so on!

Highlights: Kaiyuan Temple, Tumen Street, Qingjing Mosque, Guandi Temple, Chengtian Temple, Quanzhou Maritime Museum, etc.

It is said Quanzhou was once called the Buddhist Country with saints and scholars could be found all over the streets. This is definite true, but not the whole story. Being the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou boasts a long trading history with overseas countries and cities, and thus embraces diverse religious cultures. Inimitable explorer Marco Polo once also visited the city. In this 2 Days Quanzhou Marine Culture Tour from Xiamen, you will follow the footsteps of Marco Polo to enjoy the best blend of religions and explore the Marine culture of Quanzhou!

Recommended China Tour Packages including Xiamen

Shanghai / Hangzhou / Putuoshan / Xiapu / Xiamen / HK

12 days’ relaxing, interesting and scenic China coastal tour by the modern, fast and comfortable CRH bullet trains. You will visit colossal Shanghai first, then take a bullet train to Hangzhou, known for its beautiful West Lake, then visit Putuoshan, the holy land for Buddhist pilgrims. The train journey then take you into Fujian Province where you will first spend two days at Xiapu to do some photography of the incredible mudflats, stunning sunrise and sunset, picturesque fishing villages, then move on to Xiamen to see the spectacular Tulou homes - the earth buildings of local Hakka people.

Xiamen / Nanjing Tulou / Yongding Tulou / Xiamen / Huangshan

Why put Xiamen and Huangshan together in a trip? Because it is time to refresh your impression on China now. Great Wall, Forbidden City, Pandas, Shanghai skyscrapers, Xian Terracotta Warriors, beautiful Yangshuo… these places are great and famous, but are only parts of China, representing the Classic Travelling Experiences in China. While Xiamen and Huangshan will show you something quite different. The Two biggest highlights are the Tulou (Earth Building) in Xiamen, and Yellow Mountain in Huangshan.

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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Xiamen Tours - 10 Best Xiamen Tours Packages 2024

Welcome to Xiamen , a coastal city of Fujian Province . Xiamen boasts lush parks, sandy beaches, and picturesque islands, most notably Gulangyu , which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Xiamen's allure, however, extends well beyond its scenic vistas. Our bespoke Xiamen Tour Packages are crafted to offer an intimate exploration of this dynamic city's essence.

How to Plan a Xiamen Tour?

Suggest taking 2 - 4 days to explore Xiamen city with its nearby Fujian Tulou. Spend 1-2 days exploring Xiamen City; Allocate 1 day to visit Nanjing Tulou; Extend 1 day to explore Yongding Tulou.

Xiamen City: Architectural Feast, Island Charm & Gastronomic Delight

Take a short ferry ride to Gulangyu Island and wander through a living museum of colonial-era architecture. With over 200 historical structures, you can see a mix of designs that paint a picture of the island's rich, international past. Explore Nanputuo Temple, a serene Buddhist site nestled in the city center. Admire the Qilou Buildings along the bustling Zhongshan Road . Trace the contours of Huandao Road , embrace the sea breeze, enjoy beaches and and coconut trees surrounded by the azure sea. Indulge in a gastronomic journey that takes you from the rich tapestry of street foods along the alley to seafood feast at the bustling Eighth Market .

Beyond the City: Delving into Fujian Tulou & World Heritages

Journey into the rural heartlands near Xiamen to discover the Fujian Tulou recognized as a World Heritage Site. Venture to the Nanjing and Yongding counties where these tulous are most concentrated, marvel at its architectural wonders, immerse yourself in Hakka culture, and appreciate the wisdom of the locals.

Extend Your Xiamen Tours with Other Destinations in Fujian:

To make the most of your trip to Fujian , you can seamlessly extend your Xiamen Tours to other stunning destinations such as Wuyishan Mountain ,  Xiapu Mudflat , or  Quanzhou . Ready to embark on an unforgettable journey? Dive into the diverse tapestry of Xiamen and its surroundings with us.

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Best 3 Xiamen Tours

Top xiamen & fujian tulou tours.

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Embark on a journey to discover the heart of Xiamen and its surrounding wonders with our meticulously crafted Xiamen Tours . We offer three best Xiamen tour packages for you to choose from: Xiamen City Day Tour - Explore the essence of Xiamen city in just one day. Experience the charm of Gulangyu Island and more. 2-Day Xiamen & Fujian Tulou Tour - Get the best of both worlds by exploring Xiamen's urban attractions and the rural beauty of Fujian Tulou. 5-Day Comprehensive Fujian Tour - Dive deep into Fujian's culture and nature, covering Xiamen, Nanjing, Yongding Tulou, and the stunning Wuyishan. Select the tour that suits your preferences and get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of Xiamen and its surroundings.

Unveil the allure and cultural richness of Xiamen and Fujian Tulou with our diverse tour options, catering to various durations, ranging from 1 to 4 days. Dive into the world of Nanjing Tulou in just one day. Delve deeper into Fujian Tulou, exploring the heritage of both Nanjing and Yongding Tulou in 2 days. Combine the highlights of Xiamen with the captivating Nanjing Tulou experience in just 3 days. For the ultimate Tulou adventure, embark on our 4-day journey through Xiamen, Nanjing, and Yongding Tulou. Whether which one you choose, each tour promises an enriching exploration of the incredible Tulou heritage. Choose the tour that fits your itinerary and embark on a journey of discovery and cultural enrichment with our Top Xiamen & Fujian Tulou Tours .

Xiamen Side Tours to Wuyigshan, Xiapu, Quanzhou (Fujian Tours)

Embark on a journey beyond Xiamen and delve into the captivating Fujian Province . Our Xiamen Side Tours offer you the opportunity to discover the majestic landscapes of Mt.Wuyishan (world natural and cultural heritage site), the historic city of Quanzhou (world cultural heritage site), or the mesmerizing beauty of Xiapu (photographer's heaven). Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural wonders of Fujian with our expertly crafted tours. Book your Fujian tour today and have an unforgettable journey through these remarkable destinations.

Xiamen Tours Planning & Useful Articles

Preparing for your Xiamen journey? We've compiled a series of insightful articles and resources to make your trip planning a breeze. Explore the charm of this coastal city in Fujian with our comprehensive guides:

• Xiamen Weather : Stay updated on the local weather conditions, ensuring you're well-prepared for your trip.
• Accommodations in Xiamen : Explore the best lodging options, whether you prefer luxury hotels, cozy guesthouses, or budget-friendly choices.
• Getting to Gulangyu from Xiamen : Plan your visit to the famous Gulangyu Island effortlessly with detailed information on transportation options.
• Xiamen's Beaches : Enjoy the sun, sea, and sand at Xiamen's top beaches, perfect for relaxation and water activities.
• Ultimate Gulangyu Island Guide : Discover the enchanting Gulangyu Island with our comprehensive guide, covering attractions, history, and practical tips.
• Things to Do in Xiamen : Go beyond the typical tourist spots and explore the best activities and attractions that showcase the city's culture and beauty.

Additionally, for those considering onward travel to Fujian Tulou, our detailed Fujian Tulou guides can help: Nanjing Tulou , Yongding Tulou , How to Get to Fujian Tulou from Xiamen .

With these resources, you can confidently plan your Xiamen tour and make the most of your traveling. For more comprehensive resources, view the latest Xiamen Travel Guide >>

Xiamen Tours FAQs - Plan Your Xiamen Tours Worry-Free

Cultural Melting Pot Xiamen's history as a trading port has led to a mix of different cultural influences, including European architecture on Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cultural diversity is evident in the city's art, architecture, and cuisine.

Scenic Coastlines and Natural Beauty The city offers beautiful beaches and scenic coastlines. The island geography of Xiamen itself, with its pleasant climate, makes it a relaxing getaway from the bustle of mainland China.

Rich Historical Heritage From the ancient Nanputuo Temple to the historic Hulishan Fortress, Xiamen has a wealth of historical sites that tell the story of China's maritime history and cultural development.

Lively Urban Atmosphere Despite its historical charm, Xiamen is also a modern, vibrant city. Zhongshan Road, for example, is a bustling pedestrian street with shops, street food, and a lively atmosphere.

Culinary Delights The city is famous for its delicious Fujian cuisine, which is one of the eight great traditions of Chinese cuisine. It's particularly well-known for its seafood dishes and various snacks.

Gateway to Fujian Province Xiamen can be a starting point for exploring the wider Fujian province, discovering the amazing world cultural heritage site of Fujian Tulou , the majestic landscapes of Mt.Wuyishan (world natural and cultural heritage site), the historic city of Quanzhou (world cultural heritage site), or the mesmerizing beauty of Xiapu  (photographer's heaven).

Gulangyu Island , the Hakka Tulou , Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University, Zhongshan Road, Eighth Seafood Market, Huandao Road, Jimei Village.

The most favorable periods to visit Xiamen are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These seasons boast mild and delightful weather, with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F). The skies tend to be clear and sunny, and rainfall is minimal.

Do note Winter is also recommended for tourists. There would be a detailed breakdown later in this article. Read on to find out if winter is the right time for you to visit Xiamen.

You can take a ferry from Xiamen to Gulangyu Island. The ferry ride is a short and scenic journey.

A typical Xiamen tour can range from 2 to 5 days, allowing you to explore the city's main attractions and nearby destinations like Fujian Tulou or Mt.Wuyishan .

Xiamen is famous for its seafood and local snacks such as Shacha Noodle (沙茶面) , Oyster Omelet (海蛎煎) , and Peanut Sweet Soup (花生汤) . You can try them at local markets, street food stalls, and restaurants near Zhongshan Road and the Eighth Seafood Market.

You have options like the downtown area of Siming District, offering the most diverse hotel choices in Xiamen, or stay overnight at Gulangyu Island for a different vibe.

Explore the Architecture: Wander around and admire the unique mix of architectural styles from around the world. The island has been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, known as World Architecture Exhibition.

Shuzhuang Garden: Visit the beautifully landscaped Shuzhuang Garden, initially a private villa, but now open to the public.

Sunlight Rock: Climb to the highest point on the island, Sunlight Rock, for panoramic views of Xiamen and the South China Sea.

Piano Museum: Check out the Piano Museum in the Shuzhuang Garden, which showcases a collection of antique pianos from around the world. Gulangyu is known as the "Island of Music".

Beaches: Relax on one of the island’s small beaches. Although they may not be ideal for swimming, they are perfect for a peaceful stroll or a quiet moment by the sea.

Local Cuisine: Sample local snacks and dishes such as seafood, oyster omelet, and the unique peanut soup.

Latest Xiamen Tours Reviews from Our Customers

Scott Wilkinson

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Date of Experience: Feb 13, 2024

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