Xiamen 厦门
Coastal city, Gulangyu Island and tulou day trips
Good forCulture, Food, Nature, Beaches
Suggested stay2–3 days
Best timeOctober–December and March–May
A port city in southern Fujian facing the Taiwan Strait, known for a relaxed seafront and Minnan culture. Visitors come for car-free Gulangyu Island and the Fujian tulou earth buildings inland. The centre is compact and walkable.
Highlights
- Gulangyu Island — car-free, colonial-era villas; book the ferry ahead with your passport
- South Putuo Temple and the hill behind it
- Xiamen University campus
- Coastal ring road and Zengcuo'an village
- Day trip to the Fujian tulou (UNESCO), about 2–3 hours away
Food to try
- Shacha noodles (satay noodles)
- Oyster omelette
- Tusundong (sea worm jelly)
- Peanut soup
Getting there
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN), due to be replaced by the new Xiamen Xiang'an airport around the end of 2026 — check which one your ticket says. About 3 hours by high-speed train from Shenzhen; about 5 hours from Shanghai.
Train times are typical; check current timetables on 12306 or Trip.com.
When to go
Best: October–December and March–May. Avoid or plan for: Typhoon season roughly July–September; Golden Week and summer crowds on Gulangyu.
Good to know
- Gulangyu ferry tickets are real-name and limited; buy before you go, especially at weekends.
- Xiamen North is the main high-speed station and is about 30–40 minutes from the centre.
Visa notes
- Visa-free entry: citizens of 79 countries can visit China for up to 30 days or more without a visa. Check your passport →
- 240-hour transit: Xiamen is inside the area you may visit on China's 240-hour visa-free transit (for 57 nationalities, flying on to a third country).