Xiamen travel guide
Piano island, sea breeze, and a slower kind of life
Plan your visit
Recommended stay2–3 days
Getting there1–2 hours by high-speed rail from Shenzhen or Guangzhou; Gaoqi airport serves international routes.
Good to knowBook Gulangyu ferry tickets in advance; the island road is great for cycling.
Xiamen is the garden island city of Fujian — a colonial-era trading port with a car-free islet of mansions, temple incense, and a food scene built on oyster omelets and peanut soup. Subtropical beaches, banyan streets and a university campus by the sea make it the delta's most livable stop.
Top sights
- Gulangyu Island — The piano-island: no cars, 19th-century consular villas, Sunlight Rock views — book the ferry and go early.
- Nanputuo Temple — Working Buddhist temple beneath Wulaofeng peaks — incense halls, free vegetarian canteen, hillside caves.
- Xiamen University campus — China's prettiest campus (reserve ahead) beside the sea, with the Furong tunnel's student murals.
- Zhongshan Road — Qipao-era arcade shopping street — the evening food crawl: oyster omelets, shacha noodles, peanut soup.
- Hulishan Fortress — 19th-century coastal battery with the world's largest coastal gun and sea-wall walks.
Suggested itinerary
- Gulangyu Escape. Early ferry to car-free island, piano museum, colonial garden wander
- Temple & University. Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University campus, Furong Tunnel murals
- Coastal Ride. Island Ring Road bike path, Zengcuoan village, sunset seafood dinner
Budget reference
LodgingGulangyu heritage inns ¥400–800; island chains ¥300–550.
FoodShacha noodles ¥20–35, oyster omelet ¥30–50, sea-urchin dumplings and peanut soup ¥10–25.
Local transportBRT and metro ¥2–6, Gulangyu ferry ¥35 round trip (tourist terminal).
TicketsGulangyu combo sights ¥90–100 optional, Nanputuo free, fortress ¥25.
Where to stay
Stay on the main island near Zhongshan Road or the university for food; overnight Gulangyu only if you want the crowd-free morning.
Good to know
- Gulangyu ferries for tourists leave from Dongdu terminal — the Lundu terminal is residents-only by day.
- Typhoon season Jul–Sep can close the ferries — keep an island-flexible plan.
- Xiamen University entry needs a WeChat reservation a day ahead; passport for foreigners works at the gate.
Explore
Xiamen travel guide