China · Fujian
Xiamen Travel Guide
The romantic’s Xiamen: piano music drifting from Gulangyu’s lanes, the most beautiful campus in China, cycling the golden ring road and peanut soup on Zhongshan Road.
China · Fujian
The romantic’s Xiamen: piano music drifting from Gulangyu’s lanes, the most beautiful campus in China, cycling the golden ring road and peanut soup on Zhongshan Road.
The car-free island of pianos, colonial villas and tiny lanes — Xiamen’s crown.
The "most beautiful campus in China", framed by sea and Phoenix trees.
The golden coast road from Baicheng beach to the music squares.
The lakeside temple with vegetarian feasts and hill views.
A fishing village turned hostel-and-café quarter.
The old shopping street — night market snacks and peanut soup.
Five days is the classic budget (¥2000–3000): two on Gulangyu, one for XMU and Nanputuo, one for the ring road and Zengcuo’an, one for Jimei.
Spring and autumn are mild; avoid August typhoons.
Only Riguang Rock and the Piano Museum, says the guide — the rest is walking the lanes.
Peanut soup, sandworm jelly, oyster omelette, Nanputuo vegetarian cakes and local seafood.
Domestic and international flights land at the city’s airport, linked to the centre by metro and airport shuttles.
High-speed rail (CRH) connects most Chinese cities; the main station is close to the centre with metro transfer.
Long-distance coaches serve nearby towns and provinces from the main bus station.
Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to flag; a 3 km city trip starts around ¥14.
Car rental with a local driver is available for day trips to the countryside and coastline.
The car-free island of pianos, villas and lanes — a ferry ride from the port.
The sea-side campus of Phoenix trees and old academies — free entry with ID.
The golden coast road from Baicheng beach to the music and calligraphy squares.
A slow circuit of the island’s lanes, pianos and sea cliffs.
Rent a bike and ride the golden coast from Baicheng to the squares.
The temple’s famous vegetarian feast.
Chen Jiageng’s school town of grand Chinese-foreign architecture.
Stay a night on the car-free island among the villas.
The village quarter by the beach.
Convenient near Zhongshan Road and the ferry.
Full hotel lists across Fujian on our hotels page.
Sweet peanut soup from Huang Zehe on Zhongshan Road.
The street classics of the night market.
The temple’s famous pastry souvenirs.
Fresh catches at the fishing-village restaurants.
The classic Xiamen gift.
Huang Zehe mochi, pineapple cakes and Huang Shengji jerky.
Browse Fujian specialties on our specialty pages.
Chen Jiageng’s academy town across the bay.
Two days among the Fujian earthen houses and the film village.
Two days of tea mountains and river rafts.
XMU, Nanputuo, Gulangyu and the ring road. View the plan →
Campus, Temple & Street Nanputuo Temple and its vegetarian lunch, Xiamen University, then night snacks on Zhongshan Road.
Gulangyu Island A full day on the car-free island — Riguang Rock, the lanes, the piano legacy; night on the island if you can.
Ring Road & Zengcuo’an Cycle the golden coast from Baicheng beach, then lunch and café time in Zengcuo’an.
The full 5-day loop including Jimei and slow island days. View the plan →
XMU & Nanputuo The temple, its vegetarian feast, the campus and Zhongshan Road at night.
Gulangyu, Day One Arrive by ferry; Riguang Rock, the Piano Museum and the villa lanes.
Gulangyu, Day Two A slow second day: sea cliffs, cafés and the quiet north lanes, back to the mainland in the evening.
Ring Road & Zengcuo’an Cycle the golden coast, then the fishing-village café quarter.
Jimei & Departure Chen Jiageng’s academy town across the bay, then leave.
A 5-day trip costs ¥2000–3000; most sights are free.
Xiamen Gaoqi Airport and high-speed rail at Xiamen station; the metro reaches the ferry.
Ferry tickets to Gulangyu must be booked in advance in peak season.
Spring and autumn; check typhoon forecasts in August.
Tickets, hotels, train seats and local drivers arranged by our team — free of charge, no obligation.
Gulangyu, XMU, Tulou and more.
Licensed local operators.
Souvenirs and food products.