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.
Xiamen · Related Tours / Products
2 products
Xiamen高崎机场/Xiamen北站出发
Xiamen 5-Day Slow Tour (Gulangyu · Yunshuiyao Tulou)
Stay on Gulangyu island, visit Yunshuiyao tulou, Island Ring Road and Nanputuo Temple — one base, no hotel changes.
Xiamen高崎机场出发
Xiamen + Wuyishan 6-Day Tour (Mountain & Sea · Jiuquxi Rafting)
Gulangyu island plus Wuyishan Jiuquxi bamboo rafting — mountain and sea combined, 3 hours by high-speed rail.
