Gulangyu Island Guide 2026: Transportation, Attractions, Hotels, Food Recommendations

When it comes to must-visit attractions in Xiamen, Gulangyu tops the list. This beautiful, culture-steeped little island offers not only stunning scenery and fantastic food, but also a wealth of distinctive historic architecture—a vacation haven where Eastern and Western influences come together.

We’ve put together the ultimate guide to exploring Gulangyu Island, with detailed transportation options, the top five must-visit attractions, ticket info, and our favorite food and hotel recommendations. Check it out and start planning—so you’ll be all set for your future trip!

Gulangyu Overview

Gulangyu sits southwest of Xiamen's main island, a distinctive little island that was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. Covering about 1.87 square kilometers, it takes its name from the drumlike sound of waves crashing against the rocks. In the late Qing era it was designated a foreign concession, and by the late 19th century it had become a treaty port. Today, the island preserves more than 400 buildings that blend Chinese and Western styles, along with 13 consulates, all imbued with a European flair, earning it the nickname "a World Architecture Expo".

Plus, you can climb up for sweeping views and explore plenty of museums, craft shops, creative boutiques, and eateries. This year, Gulangyu was also named one of Trip Best’s 2025 Top 50 global spots for water fun and beating the heat—definitely one of Xiamen’s must-visit attractions.

Gulangyu Transportation

To get from downtown Xiamen to Gulangyu, the only option is by ferry, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. On the way over, you can choose to disembark at Sanqiutian Pier or Neicuo’ao Pier; for the return, you can board at either Sanqiutian or Neicuo’ao. Note that "Cruise Center Xiamen–Gulangyu Pier (Dongdu Pier)" and "Xiamen Ferry Terminal (Hall 2)" are for visitors, while "Xiamen Ferry Terminal (Hall 1)" is for residents only—so don’t mix them up. We recommend arriving at the pier 25–30 minutes early to allow time for security checks and boarding procedures.

No ticket needed: Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall can ride the boat for free
Child ticket: Children aged 6–14 or between 1.2 and 1.5 meters tall are eligible for a 50% discount

Getting Around on Gulangyu Island

Photo credit: Xinhua News Agency

Gulangyu is a pedestrian-only island where motor vehicles are not allowed, so getting around is mostly on foot. A loop around the island is about 6 kilometers, with plenty of slopes along the way. If you’d like a more relaxed visit, you can hop on the island’s sightseeing electric carts. Just note that there are relatively few pick-up and drop-off points; they mainly connect the ferry piers to the major sights and generally don’t enter the small alleys, so most sightseeing is still done on foot.

• Ticket purchase locations: Ticket offices at Sanqiutian Pier or Neicuo'ao Pier
• Opening hours: ​Daily 9:00-18:00
• Pick-up points: The main boarding and drop-off stops include Sanqiutian Pier, Neicuo'ao Pier, and Shuzhuang Garden.

Ticket price:

• Island loop full-route ticket: ¥ 50/person, the route goes Sanqiutian Pier → Yanwei Mountain Ecological Park (passing by) → Neicuo'ao Pier → Gulang Villa (passing by) → Shuzhuang Garden (transfer stop) → back to Sanqiutian Pier.
• Distance-based fares: Depending on how far you travel, fares range from ¥ 10 to ¥ 40.
• Sanqiutian Pier→Yanwei Mountain Ecological Park for ¥ 10 (AU$ 2)
• Sanqiutian Wharf→Neicuo'ao Wharf costs ¥ 20 (AU$ 4)
• Sanqiutian Pier→Gulang Villa for ¥ 30 (AU$ 6)
• Sanqiutian Pier→Shuzhuang Garden for ¥ 40 (AU$ 8)

No ticket needed: Children under 1.4 meters tall can ride for free; children 1.4 meters and above must purchase a full-price ticket.

Gulangyu Island Tickets

Trip.com offers a variety of Gulangyu Island ticket-and-service bundles for purchase, including Ferry Ticket + Guided Tour, attraction tickets, and audio commentary, so you can pick the combo that matches your travel style. Many options even come with discounts to help you save more.

*The prices above are for reference only; they may change based on exchange rates and availability. Please check the latest fares yourself.

Gulangyu Island Reviews

Gulangyu Island Attractions

Gulangyu Island Attraction #1 Sunlight Rock

Sunlight Rock, also called "Huangyan" or "Longtou Mountain," is the highest point on Gulangyu Island at about 92.7 meters above sea level, and it’s the island’s most famous sightseeing spot and photo-op favorite. This massive granite boulder has a commanding perch; climb the stairs to the summit and, from the viewing deck, you can gaze out over all of Gulangyu, Xiamen Island, and Xiamen Port with sweeping, wide-open views. It’s also a fantastic place to catch sunrise and sunset.

Sunlight Rock Reviews

Gulangyu Island Attraction #2 Shuzhuang Garden

Exploring Shuzhuang Garden lets you soak up its superb landscape artistry and rich historical and cultural heritage—it's one of Gulangyu Island’s must-visit sights. Built in 1913, the garden was originally the private villa of Taiwanese magnate Lin Erjia (courtesy name Shu Zang). In 1956, his family donated it to the state, and it later became a public attraction. The garden’s many scenes are thoughtfully arranged; its architecture blends Minnan style with Western flair. Set right by the sea, it’s distinctive and breathtaking, and is divided into two main sections, "Canghai Garden" and "Bushan Garden," each featuring five signature viewpoints. In addition, the on-site Piano Museum houses nearly a hundred rare antique pianos.

Shuzhuang Garden Reviews

Gulangyu Island Attraction #3 Bright Moon Garden

Haoyue Garden is a historic landmark on Gulangyu Island, created to honor the national hero Zheng Chenggong. The statue park covers about 20,000 square meters. Ming-dynasty-style architecture pairs beautifully with sea-and-mountain views, and a colossal granite statue of Zheng Chenggong stands atop Fuding Rock, rising 15.7 meters and weighing about 1,617 metric tons. In the park’s main square stands a large group sculpture hailed as a Xiamen icon, "Rattan Shields Driving Out the Invaders," which vividly recreates the spectacular scene of Zheng Chenggong commanding vast armies to drive out the Dutch and reclaim Taiwan. You’ll also find the South Stele Corridor and North Stele Corridor, among others, each showcasing Zheng Chenggong’s commanding, storm-stirring heroism from different angles and in different forms.

Bright Moon Garden Reviews

Gulangyu Island Attraction#4 Gulangyu Island Organ Museum

The Gulangyu Organ Museum is housed inside the Bagua Mansion on Gulangyu Island, a European-style domed building. The venue isn’t large, but it showcases over 5,000 organs from different eras and styles. Its star attraction is the "Norman & Beard" pipe organ, standing 6 meters tall and made up of 1,350 pipes—music lovers shouldn’t miss it. On the first floor you’ll find many historic organs from around the world, most of them made in France and Spain. In the museum’s back garden, you’ll also see several stone-carved artifacts—items seized by customs from smugglers.

Gulangyu Attraction #5 International Engraving Art Museum

The International Engraving Art Museum sits directly opposite Shuzhuang Garden, housed in a small seaside building with ocean views. The three-story gallery spans just over 500 square meters. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of works from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Most pieces were selected for the 2004 5th National Engraving Art Exhibition and the 8th International Engraving Art Exhibition, a testament to the art form’s exceptionally high standards. Admission is only about HK$5.78, making it one of Gulangyu’s best-value attractions.

Gulangyu Island Food

Gulangyu Island Food#1 Dragon Head Fish Ball Shop

Image source: Ctrip Gourmet Forest

Dragon Head Fish Ball Shop sits at the mouth of a narrow alley. Open since 1981, it's a longstanding institution known for one of Gulangyu's signature snacks. This is the only shop; there are no branches. The fish balls are made fresh on the spot with no additives; they're snowy white and tender, available as a mix of large and small, stuffed or unstuffed, and they're fresh and flavorful.

Gulangyu Island Food#2 Yip's Mochi

Image source: Trip moments@Gulangyu

Ye’s Mochi is a century-old spot that still serves from a little wooden stall—charmingly traditional—with a steady stream of visitors lining up every day. The mochi is coated in black sesame and crushed peanuts, soft, chewy, and delightfully sweet—an absolute must-try dessert on Gulangyu.

Gulangyu Food #3 Shen's Hokkien-Style Rice Noodle Rolls

Photo credit: Trip.com Gourmet List

Shen Family Minnan Rice Noodle Rolls is a beloved old-timer on Gulangyu Island, and there’s almost always a long line. Minnan-style rice noodle rolls are different from the Hong Kong–style version: the wrappers are thin, the fillings generous, and they’re paired with a special house-made sauce. Every roll is steamed to order and incredibly tender and silky. The sauce is topped with crispy fried shallots, preserved radish, cilantro, and more, giving it a distinctly local flavor.

Xiamen's Gulangyu Island Hotels and Lodging Recommendations

Recommended Hotels on Gulangyu Island #1 Yuhai Ludao Garden Hotel (Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier Branch)

• Address: No. 55, Sanming Road, Gulangyu, Siming District, Xiamen
• Rating: 9.7 / 10
• Award: Trip.Best No. 1 among Gulangyu Island featured 4-star hotels

Gulangyu Island Hotel Recommendation #2 Gulangyu Huangyan 36 Hotel

• Address: No. 36, Huangyan Road, Gulangyu, Siming District, Xiamen
• Rating: 9.9 / 10
• Award: Trip.Best No. 1 among Fujian local-style hotels

Gulangyu Hotel Pick #3 Gulangyu Gulang Villa Hotel (Neicuo'ao Pier Branch)

• Address: No. 14, Gusheng Road, Siming District, Xiamen, 361002
• Rating: 9.5 / 10
• Award: Trip.Best No. 2 among Fujian villa hotels

More Gulangyu Island Lodging Recommendations