Ultimate Xiamen Travel Guide 2026: Top Tips From A Local

Hi! This guide is based on my personal experiences of Xiamen.
I’m a native Chinese and the creator of this website, Yenkid In China.
With my all-in-one guide, you will find it much easier to plan your trip!

Summary: My secret tips about the best attractions, activities, itinerary, directions, where to stay, what to eat, where to eat.

✨ Gaze at the world heritage Gulangyu Island and try shacha noodles

✨ Check out hotels with a central location, like the one I stayed in ➡️ (save money on hotels using my guide)

✨ Take a look at my ultimate Shanghai + Shenzhen + Hong Kong guides.

Introduction to 厦门

Xiamen is best known for

Gulangyu, a pedestrian-only island with western style architecture and a museum containing hundreds of antique pianos
South Putuo Temple, a 1000+ year old ancient Buddhist temple from the Tang Dynasty
One of the major hubs of Fujianese cuisine and culture

My Favourite Facts about Xiamen

The name “Xiamen” has a double meaning - “mansion gate” and “gate to China”
Home to China’s first twin towers, symbolically shaped like sails
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What I like particularly about Xiamen 👍🏻

The relaxing vibes by the coast facing the Pacific Ocean. A totally different feel from the megacities, although it does have 5.3 million residents!
Shacha noodles (also known as satay) and seafood variety is heaven
Lots of cycling and hiking options
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Recommended Days in Xiamen 📅

Minimum 2-3 days depending on your love for beaches and seafood.

Best Time to Visit ☀️

March to May + October to December have the most comfortable temperatures.
Summer can get hot, humid, and rainy (typically 30-35C in the daytime). Try to avoid becoming a fried oyster!
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3 Things To See + Photographic Spots Not To Be Missed 📷

Strolling Gulangyu Island and discovering its secret places, an entire island without cars
Grabbing a pic of the mighty Zheng Chenggong monument facing the Twin Towers
Catching sunset at Baicheng Beach
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3 Things To Do 🚶🏻

Exploring the history of South Putuo Temple and hiking to the top of Wulao Peak near Xiamen Botanical Garden
Taking the Zhonggu cableway for scenic views of Xiamen, Gulangyu Island, and the ocean
Cycling along the southern perimeter of Xiamen Island

Unique Experiences to Consider ⭐

Dingaozi Cat Street, where everything from wall paintings to souvenirs to flags are cat themed!
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Planning Resources

🛏️ I book hotels on Trip because it gives me the best prices ($26 cheaper for one booking!) + has way more hotels for China. What made it even cheaper was getting exclusive discounts as a new user. Register here!

🚅 I recommend booking trains on Trip as it offers the best English language interface + you can reserve tickets further in advance.

📲 The Apps You Need 🛜 Internet Access + Data 🧳Before You Arrive Guide

Points of Interest / Attractions to Visit 🌆

⬇️ You can find ticket prices + directions after this section

⭐ = my most recommended attractions

Gulangyu Island 鼓浪屿⭐
This car-free island was an international settlement from 1903 to 1942. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The architecture is a combination of Western and Chinese styles, very different from the styles I saw on the main Xiamen Island.
What’s even more special is the hundreds of antique pianos on Gulangyu Island. If you’re a music lover like me, you must go to the Piano Museum!
You need a half day here at least. There is a lot to see so I listed my recommended points of interests for your reference below:
⭐ Riguang Cliff 日光岩 - the peak of Gulangyu where you can see Xiamen’s skyline and the ocean in all directions

⭐ Shuzhuang Garden + Piano Museum 菽庄花园 + 钢琴博物馆 - a classical garden and piano heaven located on the island’s south-central coast

⭐ Zheng Chenggong Giant Statue 郑成功石像 - 15.7m tall granite towering statue of the 17th century legendary general (as shown on the cover photo)

⭐ Longtou Lu Snack Street 龙头路 - this is the main food street with a range of independent restaurants and cafes to grab your lunch or afternoon tea. If you want fast food and convenience stores, head 300m east of this location.

⭐ Gangzaihou Beach 港仔后沙滩 - one of the best beaches on Gulangyu Island with great views of the Twin Towers

⭐ The Sea and Sky Mansion 海天堂构 - an iconic 100 year old villa combining traditional Chinese and Western classical elements

⭐ Gulangyu Organ Museum 鼓浪屿风琴博物馆 - apparently this is the largest organ museum in the world (I mean the musical kind!)

It has a lot of exquisite vintage pieces. I didn’t know much about organs so I learnt quite a bit. They’re located in the Bagua building.

⭐ Zuimeizhuanjiao (aka Most Beautiful Street Corner) 最美转角 - an architecturally iconic photo spot with a curved brick building as the backdrop

These are just my highlights for Gulangyu, lots more secret places for you to discover.

Xiamen Island (main island)

South Putuo Temple 南普陀寺⭐- one of China’s earliest Buddhist temples founded over 1,000 years ago in the Tang dynasty. Yes, it faces the south!
The architecture is so impressive. I had a great time checking out the shrine halls, artifacts, and mountain views!

Zhongshan Lu Pedestrian Street + Bashi Market 中山路步行街 + 八市⭐ - Xiamen’s main pedestrian street with so many food options. I recommend going to Bashi Market especially!

Zhonggu Cableway 钟鼓索道 - a 1km cable car giving spectacular views of the Xiamen skyline. It passes directly over the Xiamen Botanical Garden
Xiamen Botanical Garden 厦门园林植物园 - I enjoyed this way more than expected. A nice contrast from the rest of the city. There’s this rainforest misty area which was pretty cool. A LOT of tropical plants as you might expect.

Huandao Lu 环岛路 - the perfect cycling route along the south coast, I spent a couple of hours here stopping off at various points including Zengcuoan Pedestrian Street.
Yanwu Bridge Viewing Platform 演武大桥观景平台 - this is a viewing platform that stretches out some distance from the coastline. Gave me the feeling of being in the middle of the ocean
Baicheng Beach 白城沙滩 - one of my favourite beaches in Xiamen and it’s especially glorious at sunset. I recommend you come here too!

Shapowei Art District 沙坡尾 - A funky art zone with lots of inspirational artwork and industrial vibes. Come here for photography and food. Better than I expected.
Xiamen Museum 厦门博物馆 - this is the city’s best museum showcasing artifacts, jade, and stone carvings from the region, including Taiwan. Really interesting. Xiamen Art Gallery and Science & Tech Museum are also next door.
Guanyinshan 观音山 - a 3km long beach including a sand sculpture park and views of Kinmen Island
Jimeixuecun 集美学村 - this is actually a study village, but there’s a lot of architecture combining traditional Chinese and Western styles.
I went after sunset to see the buildings light up and it’s a pretty aesthetically impressive sight.

Xiamen University - often called China’s “most beautiful campus”. Check it out on your way to Baicheng Beach.
Yujian Minnan 屿见闽南 - a new theme park based on Fujian Minnan culture. I haven’t visited it since it only opened recently, but I was recommended it by my Xiamen friend. Check it out if you like the look of it.
Riyuegu Hotsprings 日月谷温泉 - if you’re looking for a calming, relaxing experience. 30 mins from downtown by car.

My favourite vantage points

Looking at the monument of Zheng Chenggong statue and the Xiamen Twin Towers from the sandy beach
The top of Sunset Rock on Gulangyu Island
Riding Metro Line 1 from the mainland to Xiamen Island

My Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 - Gulangyu Island ➡️ Zhongshan Lu Pedestrian Street + Bashi Market
Here's my Gulangyu Island mini-itinerary (actually walked by me!)👇🏻
I recommend you go in an anti-clockwise direction, starting from the arrival port on the island’s west side.
Ferry at Dongdu Port, Xiamen Cruise Center (Line 2, Cruise Center)
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Arrive at Gulangyu Neicuo’an Wharf
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Riguang Cliff 日光岩
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Gangzaihou Beach 港仔后沙滩
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Shuzhuang Garden and Piano Museum 菽庄花园钢琴博物馆
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Zheng Chenggong Giant Statue 郑成功石像
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The Sea and Sky Mansion 海天堂构
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Longtou Lu Snack Street 龙头路
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Gulangyu Organ Museum 鼓浪屿风琴博物馆
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Zuimeizhuanjiao 最美转角
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Ferry at Sanqiutian Marina back to main island
Day 2 - Xiamen Botanical Garden ➡️ Zhonggu Cableway ➡️ South Putuo Temple ➡️ Baicheng Beach ➡️ cycle along Huandao Lu

🛏️ Don’t miss out! To save money on your hotel, check out my guide

👉 How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China!

👉 Have a quick look at hotel rates in China HERE

+ Skip ahead to the 2nd half of this guide for my recommended hotels and food! ⬇️

Ticket Prices + Directions 🎟️

Attraction | Ticket Price | Metro Station Exit

Gulangyu Island 鼓浪屿 | 35rmb round-trip for ferry, some attractions need paid entry | travel by ferry at Line 2, Cruise Center
South Putuo Temple 南普陀寺 | free, book in advance | take a taxi or cycle there
Zhongshan Lu Pedestrian Street + Bashi Market 中山路步行街 + 八市 | free | Line 1, Zhenhai Rd, Exit 3A
Zhonggu Cableway 钟鼓索道 | 80rmb round-trip | Line 1, Zhongshan Park, Exit 4. Walk 500m southeast along Huyuan Road
Xiamen Botanical Garden 厦门园林植物园 | 30rmb | Line 1, Zhongshan Park, Exit 4. Walk 500m southeast along Huyuan Road
Baicheng Beach 白城沙滩 | free | take a taxi or cycle there
Shapowei Art District 沙坡尾 | free | take a taxi or cycle there
Xiamen Museum 厦门博物馆 | free, book in advance | Line 3, HR Service Center, Exit 4.
Guanyinshan 观音山 | free | Line 2, Guanyinshan, Exit 2
Jimei Study Village 集美学村 | free | Line 1, Jimei School Village
👉 Book your ticket on Trip or the official museum WeChat mini-program for info.
Note: most museums closed on Mondays. Even if the attraction is free, it is likely to require online booking.
(Information last checked in Jul 2026) 👉 check out my article How to Buy Tickets to Attractions in China
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How to Get There ✈️

By air

By land

Take the high speed train to Xiamen or Xiamen North station. Xiamen is right in the centre of the city, while you’ll have to take the metro from Xiamen North.

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How to Get Around 🚇

Xiamen Metro has 3 lines as of 2026.
You can visit some tourist spots using the metro, although you will need to take a taxi or walk for certain attractions by the coast.
To access Gulangyu Island
Head to the Dongdu Port, Xiamen Cruise Center (Line 2, Cruise Center). It’s a 20-25 minute ferry to Gulangyu.
You should arrive at Neicuo’an Wharf on the west side of the island.
After you explore the island, you don’t need to backtrack to the original port. Head to the Sanqiutian Marina on the east side of the island.
Xiamen BRT has its own elevated busway. It’s faster than normal buses, because it’s entirely separated from other traffic. Use Alipay to get through the barriers.
City taxis or DiDi are also widely available.
I found Xiamen’s best cycling experiences along the south coast of the island (known as Huandao Lu).
You can hire a shared bike - see this article
Check out these articles if you’re stuck:
How to Ride the Metro in China: Ultimate Guide to Getting Around the City
How to Hail a DiDi Driver in China
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Where Should You Stay 🛏️

I recommend you stay near Xiamen Railway Station or Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street on the south west side of the city.
I stayed in this hotel which provided fantastic service and is in a pretty central location near Line 1, Lianhua Intersection.
Remember to check the map for the hotel’s location. The districts are pretty big and last thing you want is to accidentally book a hotel on the other side of the city.

Check Prices

I recommend you use Trip, since it is the top hotel booking platform in China and has the bigger range of hotels. Always cheaper for me as well.
Check out my articles
How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China
Things To Consider When Booking a Hotel in China
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What Should You Eat 🥢

Xiamen is home to Fujianese cuisine. You’ll see a lot of seafood dishes.
Major Xiamen specialties are:
- shacha noodles | shā chá miàn | 沙茶面
- oyster omelette | hǎi lì jiān | 海蛎煎
- ginger duck | jiāng mǔ yā | 姜母鸭
- five-spice rolls | wǔ xiāng juǎn | 五香卷
- sweet peanut soup | huā shēng tāng | 花生汤
Also check out my list of 60 dishes to try in China

Where Should I Eat 🧑🏻‍🍳

Zhongshan Lu Pedestrian Street 中山路步行街 - the main commercial district with lots of variety
Bashi Market 八市 - street food and seafood galor
Zengcuoan Snack Street 曾厝垵小吃街 - one of the main food streets on the south coast
Longtou Lu Snack Street 龙头路 - main food street on Gulangyu Island
Yundang Road 篔筜路 - come here for a large selection of coffee shops
You can type these in Amap or Dianping and it should locate the nearest restaurant to you. Check out the pictures and menus to see the food and reviews.