Xiamen Travelers Recommend

From its beaches and gardens to its historic architecture and distinct local culture, the Chinese island of Xiamen is a gem with a lot to offer visitors. With three days to spend, you’ll get a feel for life on the island through its historic sights and cuisine and still have time left over to unwind. Here are some tips for how to spend your time.

Day 1: Get Oriented

Xiamen is a relatively large island with areas where very little English is spoken. With an English-speaking guide to lead the way, start off with a short boat trip to Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former concession known for its European architecture, hip cafés, sandy beaches, and the impressive Chinese gardens of Shuzhuang. After lunch, continue your explorations on Xiamen Island itself, visiting such highlights as the always busy Zhongshan Walking Street, Tang dynasty Nanputuo Temple, and the 19th-century Hulishan Fortress. If time permits, walk along the Island Ring Road for views of the beach and the islands of Taiwan in the distance. In the evening, enjoy an entertaining crash course in local Minnan culture during a performance of the Minnan Magic stage show.

Day 2: Relax and Unwind

Start things off this morning with a visit to the serene Xiamen Botanical Garden, a massive outdoor space that’s often overlooked by tourists to the city. A network of footpaths connects several temples and themed gardens, including a bamboo forest, bonsai collection, orchid house, and a large lake. After lunch, head north of the city for an afternoon of rest and relaxation at the Riyuegu Hot Spring, a series of baths and pools in a tropical garden setting. Cut out the stress completely by booking your spa entrance and round-trip hotel transfer ahead of time. After the sun goes down, board a boat for a leisurely cruise to see Xiamen and Gulangyu illuminated at night. You’ll pass three famous bridges—Yanwu, Haicang, and Xinglin—along the way.

Day 3: Rural Explorations

Head into the countryside to the Fujian tulou, clusters of traditional roundhouses where local Hakka communities have lived for centuries and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another option is the city of Quanzhou, an important stop on the Silk Road that still maintains its ancient stone streets and atmospheric temples. Those interested in Chinese tea culture might opt for a day trip to the verdant Anxi region, known for its rolling hills blanketed in Oolong tea trees. No matter what you decide to do during the day, plan to dedicate your evening to some local cuisine. Head to Zhongshan Walking Street and wander the network of surrounding alleys and backstreets packed with restaurants serving local favorites, such as oyster omelets, glass noodles, peanut soup, and dumplings.

With two days to spend in the island city of Xiamen on China’s southeastern coast, you’ll have time to explore the island’s highlights, tour the petite nearby island of Gulangyu, and head into the countryside for a glimpse of Hakka culture, history, and heritage. Here are some tips for how to spend your 48 hours in Xiamen.

Day 1: Tour Two Islands

Morning: Start your morning with a guided tour to one of Fujian Province’s top attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gulangyu island. As you explore the former concession, you’ll see its lovely European architecture and stroll the grounds of Shuzhuang Garden, a former private villa with a spectacular traditional Chinese garden.

Afternoon: Upon return to Xiamen, take this afternoon to see the local cultural and historical highlights on an island sightseeing tour. Visit the Tang dynasty Nanputuo Temple, still an active Buddhist temple, as well as Hulishan Fortress, built in 1894 to help defend the island against invaders.

Night: This evening, grab a seat at the Minnan Magic stage show—a spectacle of folk song, dance, and martial arts that offers an entertaining introduction to the local Minnan culture. After the show, make your way to Zhongshan Road Walking Street to eat at one of the many local restaurants in the area.

Day 2: Hakka Tulou

Morning: This morning, get an early start as you head into the countryside to see another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Fujian tulou (earthen dwellings). These ancient circular buildings have served as multifamily dwellings and community hubs for centuries. Upon arrival in the area, stop for a traditional Hakka lunch at the home of a local family.

Afternoon: Spend this afternoon visiting several tulou clusters for a glimpse at rural life far from the busy streets of Xiamen. Explore the Tianluokeng tulou cluster, one of the best-preserved in the area, and spend some time wandering Taxia Village, known for its earthen buildings along the banks of a clear brook.

Night: After a long day enjoying the sights and sounds of Fujian Province, keep things low-key this evening with a meal at your hotel. If you’re still feeling energetic, head to Haiwan Park or Xiada (near the university)—both packed with restaurants and popular local hangouts after dark.

This island city, formerly known as Amoy, has long been a favorite destination among Chinese travelers and one of China’s most prosperous cities. From its parks and promenades to its temples and UNESCO World Heritage sites, here’s how to spend one day in Xiamen.

Morning: Around the Island

Xiamen is a big island that packs an equally big cultural punch. Get a taste for what Xiamen’s all about today during a guided sightseeing tour around the island. Few people speak English here, so visiting with a guide will prove invaluable. Most itineraries include a visit to the Tang dynasty Nanputuo Temple and its collection of Buddhist relics, the 19th-century Huli Mountain Fortress, and Zhongshan Road Walking Street. You’ll also have time to walk along the Island Ring Road that hugs the beach. Opt for a private tour to make sure you see everything on your list (and skip the things you’re not as interested in).

Afternoon: Gulangyu

The small island of Gulangyu, off Xiamen’s west coast, is a highlight of the entire Fujian Province and a must for any visitor. Take an afternoon excursion to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to see what makes it such a hit with domestic travelers. Admire the European architecture, duck into a café for a cup of coffee or Chinese green tea, and stroll through the traditional Shuzhuang Garden, a former private villa since transformed into a public Chinese garden. Visit with an English-speaking guide to learn more about the history of the island, or catch the ferry over to explore at your own pace.

Night: Minnan Magic

This evening, learn more about the distinct Minnan culture of Fujian Province during a 6-part stage performance known as Minnan Magic. This cultural show highlights the local folk heritage through song, dance, elaborate costumes, and traditional local martial arts. After the show, make your way to Haiwan Park (Bay Park) for an evening out in one of the city’s most popular nightlife districts, with a collection of bars and restaurants right on the waterfront.