Island lanes, colonial villas and China's cleanest beach city
Xiamen is the easy-going opposite of the megacities: an island city of banyan shade, tea shops and colonial arcades, with the car-free UNESCO island of Gulangyu a five-minute ferry away. It is China's favourite domestic romantic escape, and it works just as well for a first international visit.
Tickets below are the official standard adult prices at the time of checking. Real-name booking means your passport is the ticket — book under your exact passport name and carry the booklet itself. Prices checked Nov 1, 2026 — operators change them without notice, always confirm on the official site before paying.
A 2 km² pedestrian island of piano houses, pastel villas and hidden gardens — Unesco-listed, car-free, and best early or late.
Tip — Ferries from the International Cruise Terminal (not the old ferry pier) for tourists; book the boat slot with your passport online, weekends sell out.
A working Tang-lineage temple under a green hill, next to one of China's prettiest campuses (visitor access is restricted and reserved).
Tip — The temple's vegetarian restaurant is a cult favourite; climb the rock behind it for the city-and-sea view.
The classic qilou arcade shopping street, leading to a night market of oyster omelettes and satay noodles.
Tip — Best after 19:00 when the arcades light up; the side streets beat the main drag for food.
The old fishing harbour turned young design district — vintage shops, cafés, and the last wooden sampans in town.
Tip — Come on a weekday afternoon; the nearby art college walls make a good stroll.
A 40 km coastal cycle path with beach stops — rent a bike anywhere along it.
Tip — Sunset at Zengcuoan beach with grilled squid in hand is the standard Xiamen evening.
The fortified earthen roundhouses of the Hakka people, 2.5–3 h west — Unesco-listed and genuinely astonishing.
Tip — Book a small-group day tour or self-drive; public transport alone eats the day.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Oct – Dec | Dry, warm, clear — the island at its best. |
| Apr – May | Warm and green before the rains. |
| Jun – Sep | Hot, humid, typhoon-watch season; sea is warmest. |
| Jan – Feb | Mild (10–18°C), quietest crowds. |
Gaoqi (XMN) airport is on the island's edge — 15 min to downtown. High-speed rail from Shenzhen 3 h, Shanghai 5.5 h. The metro's line 1 'sea-crossing' section is a sight itself.
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