Xiamen Travel

Xiamen, the "Garden on the Sea", is a subtropical port city in Fujian facing the Taiwan Strait. Its pedestrian lanes, pan-fried oyster omelettes, art cafes and ocean sunsets make it one of the most relaxed city-break destinations in China — and a favourite for travellers from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Must-See Sights

Gulangyu island (a UNESCO World Heritage site of consulates, villas and the Piano Museum), Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University, the Huandao Island Ring Road, Zengcuo'an fishing village, Shapowei and Zhongshan Road. Day trips reach the Fujian Tulou earthen castles.

Suggested Itinerary

Three relaxed days: Day 1 Island Ring Road, Zengcuo'an and Shapowei sunset; Day 2 a full day on Gulangyu (ferry tickets must be booked in advance); Day 3 Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University and Zhongshan Road. High-speed trains reach Wuyi Mountain in about 3 hours for a "mountain-and-sea" extension.

Getting There

Xiamen Gaoqi Airport and Xiamen North station both serve the city; the metro and BRT are easy to use. Tourist ferries to Gulangyu depart from Xiagu Terminal (Dongdu), currently RMB 35 round trip — book ahead on weekends and holidays, and watch for typhoon advisories in summer and autumn.