I've been to Xiamen 5 times, and here's my travel guide!
Hey guys, Xiamen is a super romantic coastal city with blue skies, blue seas, and a fresh, artistic atmosphere. Every corner of the city exudes a unique charm. I just got back from Xiamen and couldn't wait to share this super detailed 3-day travel guide with you all!
📍Xiamen is located in the southeast of Fujian Province and is a charming "garden on the sea." It has beautiful coastlines, exotic architecture, and a leisurely pace of life. The artistic atmosphere of Gulangyu Island, the youthful vitality of Xiamen University, and the coastal scenery of Huandao Road are all unforgettable. Whether you're strolling through the old streets and alleys or listening to the waves on the beach, you can feel the unique charm of this city.
🚌Transportation Guide
✈️By Air: After arriving at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, there are several bus routes and airport buses to various directions in the city. You can also take a taxi or a ride-hailing service, which is convenient and fast.
🚄By High-Speed Rail: Both Xiamen Station and Xiamen North Station have high-speed rail stops. Xiamen Station is on the island and is closer to the city center, while Xiamen North Station is off the island and can be reached by subway or bus.
🚌In-City Transportation: Buses and subways can basically meet your travel needs. Buses allow you to enjoy the scenery along the way, while subways are faster. On Gulangyu Island, you can choose to walk or take a sightseeing electric car.
🗺Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Gulangyu Island - Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
In the morning, take a ferry from the Xiamen International Cruise Center to Gulangyu Island. Wander through the artistic alleys and visit attractions such as Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden to experience the tranquility and elegance of the island. In the evening, return to Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street to taste various delicacies, admire the arcade buildings, and feel the lively atmosphere of the city.
Day 2: Xiamen University - Nanputuo Temple - Huandao Road - Zengcuo'an
In the morning, enter Xiamen University, stroll around the campus, and admire attractions such as Furong Lake and Furong Tunnel to feel the youthful vitality of the campus. Then visit Nanputuo Temple and listen to the melodious bells. In the afternoon, cycle along Huandao Road and enjoy the beautiful sea view. In the evening, taste various snacks at Zengcuo'an and pick out unique souvenirs.
Day 3: Shapowei - Cat Street - Bashi
In the morning, head to Shapowei, where there are many creative shops and art studios, perfect for taking photos. After visiting Shapowei, go to Cat Street and interact with the cute cat elements. At noon, taste seafood delicacies at Bashi, experience the local life of Xiamen, and buy some souvenirs.
🌟Must-Visit Attractions
1. Gulangyu Island: The island is home to buildings of various styles from different countries, exuding an artistic atmosphere. Every photo you take here is like a masterpiece. You can slow down and listen to the symphony of waves and piano music.
2. Xiamen University: Known as one of the most beautiful campuses in China, Furong Lake sparkles, and black swans gracefully roam. Furong Tunnel is filled with creative graffiti by students, full of youthful vitality.
3. Huandao Road: Blue skies, white clouds, the sea, and beaches. Rent a bicycle and ride along the coast, feeling the sea breeze on your face. The scenery along the way is breathtaking.
4. Zengcuo'an: A snack street full of delicious food, offering a variety of specialties, from seafood feasts to Minnan snacks, satisfying your taste buds.
5. Nanputuo Temple: A thousand-year-old temple with a strong incense atmosphere. The temple buildings are solemn and majestic, surrounded by green trees, creating a peaceful and serene environment.
6. Shapowei: Once a small fishing village, it has now become a gathering place for artistic youth, with many creative shops and art exhibitions showcasing the fashion and trends of Xiamen.
7. Bashi: A seafood market full of local life, offering a wide variety of fresh seafood. You can also taste authentic Xiamen snacks and experience the most authentic Xiamen life.
💕Travel Experience
Xiamen is like a gentle place that makes you never want to leave. Here, time seems to slow down and stretch. The tranquility of Gulangyu Island, the openness of Huandao Road, and the liveliness of Zengcuo'an all intoxicate me. The romance of this city is not only in its beautiful scenery but also in its artistic atmosphere and leisurely lifestyle, allowing me to find moments of peace and beauty in my busy life.
🍜Food Recommendations
1. Satay Noodles: Rich and thick satay soup base, paired with smooth and chewy noodles and various seafood and meats. The soup is fragrant and spicy, with a strong flavor, making every bite satisfying.
2. Tusu Jelly: Crystal clear appearance, chewy and smooth texture, paired with special sauce, incredibly delicious. Although it looks a bit "peculiar," it tastes amazing!
3. Peanut Soup: Sweet but not greasy, with a strong peanut aroma and a delicate, smooth texture. A steaming bowl warms both the heart and stomach, a traditional dessert loved by Xiamen locals.
4. Roasted Rice Dumplings: Soft and glutinous rice, rich filling with mushrooms, pork belly, chestnuts, etc. The aroma of the dumplings is overflowing, oily but not greasy, and tastes great with sweet and spicy sauce.
🏨Hotel Accommodation
1. Xiamen Gulangyu Lijiazhuang Hotel (Gulangyu Island): Located in the heart of Gulangyu Island, this hotel is a century-old villa with elegant decoration and a tranquil environment, allowing you to feel the rich historical and cultural atmosphere.
2. Conrad Xiamen (Shimao Twin Towers): Conveniently located in Siming District, close to Xiamen University and Shapowei. The rooms offer a wide view, overlooking the beautiful sea and cityscape, with luxurious facilities.
3. Xiamen Lujiang Hotel (near Zhongshan Road): Located in the bustling Zhongshan Road business district, with convenient transportation. The hotel has a strong Minnan style, and some rooms offer views of Gulangyu Island. Various food and shopping venues are just outside the door.
💡Tips
1. Book ferry tickets to Gulangyu Island in advance on the official WeChat account to avoid delays.
2. Make a reservation to visit Xiamen University in advance by following the Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System.
3. Pay attention to safety when cycling on Huandao Road, choose a suitable bicycle rental point, and check the condition of the bike.
4. Pay attention to prices and quality when buying seafood and snacks at Bashi to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Guys, you need to experience the beauty of Xiamen for yourself. Follow this guide and start your Xiamen journey! I'm sure you'll fall in love with this city!
Sunlight Rock is the most physically demanding attraction on Gulangyu Island, but most people can handle it, given its relatively low elevation of only 92.5 meters. The view from the summit is fantastic, offering panoramic views of Gulangyu Island, as well as Xiamen Island and its surrounding scenery – a truly amazing experience!
Sunlight Rock is the most iconic attraction on Gulangyu Island, and indeed, in all of Xiamen. A trip to Xiamen without visiting Gulangyu is like not having visited Xiamen at all; and a trip to Gulangyu without visiting Sunlight Rock is like not having visited Gulangyu at all. Sunlight Rock is the highest point on Gulangyu, reaching an altitude of 92.5 meters. While not exceptionally high, it's still quite significant on an island near sea level.
It opened right away in the morning, and there weren't many people, and no queues. Paper tickets were available, but the weather was very hot and sunny, so it wasn't very good. We climbed up in a short while, and it was great for taking pictures because the weather was good. We could take pictures from very far away, which was nice. We could see the whole Gulangyu Island, which is not very big, with all kinds of buildings from different countries. It was also a leased area back then, so it was a semi-colony.
Sunlight Rock is located in the south-central part of Gulangyu Island, Xiamen City, with an altitude of 92.68 meters. It is the highest peak of Gulangyu Island and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Xiamen. Attraction details - Basic information Sunlight Rock is commonly known as "Yanzi Mountain", also known as "Huangyan", which is formed by two huge rocks, one vertical and one horizontal. On the top of it, there is a huge rock with a diameter of more than 40 meters standing in the air, which is a natural symbol of Xiamen. - Related history According to legend, in 1641, Zheng Chenggong came to Huangyan and saw that the scenery here was better than Japan's Nikko Mountain, so he split the word "Huang" and called it "Sunlight Rock". When the national hero Zheng Chenggong recovered Taiwan, he stationed troops here. There are still ancient monuments such as the Water Drill Platform and the Dragon Head Mountain Gate. There are many cliff inscriptions from past dynasties on the mountain. - Suggestions for playing The top of Sunlight Rock is the best place to watch the sunrise and sunset on Gulangyu Island. You can overlook the entire island of Gulangyu and part of the city of Xiamen at 360 degrees. However, the observation deck is not big, so it is recommended to go there at night, when there will be fewer people and you can also enjoy the romantic sunset of Gulangyu Island.
When you come to Gulangyu, Sunlight Rock is definitely not to be missed! The moment I reached the top, I was really amazed by the scenery in front of me. In the distance, Xiamen Island is full of high-rise buildings, and modern buildings are scattered in an orderly manner, which contrasts with the clear blue sky, outlining the vibrant outline of the city. The sea is endless, and the sparkling sea surface is shining with golden light under the sunshine. From time to time, ships slowly pass by, drawing beautiful arcs. Looking closer, the red-tiled villas, ancient churches, and lush trees on Gulangyu are intertwined, full of literary and artistic atmosphere. The breeze blows, bringing the breath of the sea, which is refreshing. Standing on Sunlight Rock, you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the mountain and sea city, which is really shocking!
Sunlight Rock is the highest point of Gulangyu Island and one of the must-see attractions for tourists. It is recommended to go there in the early morning or evening when the weather is cool and you can enjoy the sunrise or sunset, which is particularly charming. After reaching the top, you can overlook the entire Gulangyu Island and Xiamen coastline, which is suitable for taking pictures. The mountain road is steep, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and prepare water in advance. Try to avoid the peak time at noon to avoid crowds. [Scenery]
Sunlight Rock on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen is a must-visit place in this scenic spot, which is very worth visiting. Standing on Sunlight Rock, you can overlook the panoramic view of Xiamen, and you can also watch the sunrise 🌅 and sunset 🌇. My favorite scenic spot when traveling to Xiamen is Sunlight Rock on Gulangyu Island. If you want to have fun, it is more convenient to stay on Gulangyu Island. Pay attention to safety when visiting Sunlight Rock. When there are many tourists, climb in order. The mountain path of Sunlight Rock is not very steep, which is suitable for middle-aged and elderly friends to play, and you must climb to the top of the mountain.
Sunlight Rock is located in the south-central part of Gulangyu Island, Xiamen City. It is commonly known as "Yanzi Mountain" and also known as "Huangyan". According to legend, in 1641, Zheng Chenggong came to Huangyan and saw that the scenery here was better than Japan's Sunlight Mountain, so he split the word "Huang" and called it "Sunlight Rock". The scenery is really spectacular, but the viewing platform above is a bit narrow and the wind is strong. There were originally two lanes up and down the mountain, but many people walked randomly, resulting in a traffic jam even though there were not many people!