Xiamen is a gentle city: sea views, palm-lined boulevards, a university campus that looks like a park and the car-free island of Gulangyu just offshore. It is a good pause between Shanghai and the south.
Two or three days covers Gulangyu, the old town and the coast. Add a day for the Fujian tulou if you want a dramatic change of scenery.
What is actually worth your time
Editor’s shortlistGulangyuBook the ferry in advance; go early and stay after the day-trippers leave.
Nanputuo TempleA working temple with a mountain walk behind it.
Huandao RoadCoastal cycling and sea views.
ShapoweiOld fishing harbour turned café district.
Fujian tulouA long day trip to the earthen roundhouses.
Eat this
- Oyster omelette. Crisp, savoury and ubiquitous.
- Satay noodles. A Fujian-Chinese classic; rich peanut broth.
- Shacha noodles. Smoky, savoury and deeply local.
Where to stay
- Siming. Central, close to the coast and old town.
- Gulangyu. Car-free heritage island; stay overnight if you can.
- Jimei. Quieter, with the school village architecture.
First-timer notes
- Reserve the Gulangyu ferry with your passport; tourist boats leave from the cruise terminal.
- Stay in Siming for easy access to food and the waterfront.
- Try the local breakfast; Xiamen’s snack culture is the highlight.
Honest skip list
- Skip Gulangyu if you hate crowds; the old town and coast are enough.
- Skip the tulou day trip if you only have two days.
On the map
Map data © Google. Centred on Xiamen, China.
Open in Google MapsRead before you go
Start with the entry guide and the payment setup.
Sources & further reading
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours, tickets and transit change; confirm before you travel.
