Flights from Chengdu (TFU) to Xiamen (XMN)

About Xiamen

Discover Xiamen

Why visit Xiamen?
Xiamen is a coastal city known for its leafy streets, seafront promenades, and relaxed pace of life. You will find a mix of colonial-era architecture, university-town energy, and island scenery that makes the city feel both cultured and laid-back.

What to expect
The city centres on Xiamen Island, with Gulangyu Island just offshore and a waterfront lined with bike paths and parks. Modern districts offer cafés and creative spaces, while older neighbourhoods feature narrow lanes, low-rise buildings, and views across the harbour.

Plan your trip
Xiamen works well as a short break or as a starting point for exploring Fujian province and its surrounding coastline. With good transport links, you can combine time in the city with nearby islands, beach areas, and scenic countryside.

Top sights in Xiamen

Gulangyu Island

Take a short ferry ride to this car-free island of historic villas, leafy paths, and viewpoints overlooking the bay.

Xiamen University

Stroll through one of China’s most scenic campuses, with lakes, gardens, and sea views just beyond the gates.

Huandao Road Coastal Belt

Cycle or walk along this long beachfront road, with wide paths, sea breezes, and access to sandy stretches of coast.

Nanputuo Scenic Area

Climb the nearby hills for city and harbour panoramas, passing pavilions, ponds, and rocky viewpoints on the way up.

Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street

Explore this lively historic street lined with arcaded shopfronts, snack stalls, and traditional trades housed in restored buildings.

Xiamen Botanical Garden

Escape into a hilly garden of themed plant areas, rock formations, and shaded walking trails above the city.

Bailuzhou Park

Relax beside lakes and sculptures in this central park, which becomes especially atmospheric in the early evening.

Railway Culture Park

Follow a disused rail line turned greenway, with walking and cycling paths passing through tunnels and leafy neighbourhoods.

Experience Xiamen’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Xiamen’s bus and BRT systems are the most practical way to cover longer distances across the island. For a more scenic experience, rent a bicycle or e-bike along Huandao Road to follow the coastline. For short hops, local taxis and app-based rides are convenient.

Local life & culture
Daily life in Xiamen flows at a gentle pace, with residents gathering in parks for exercise, music, and socialising. University districts and creative zones showcase galleries, small studios, and performance spaces, giving you a sense of the city’s artistic side. Seaside squares fill with families and friends at dusk.

Where to unwind
Head to the waterfront in the late afternoon for sea breezes and views of passing ships. Parks such as Bailuzhou and the Botanical Garden offer shaded walking trails and quiet corners for reading or reflection. Evening strolls along the harbourfront provide a calm way to end the day.

A taste of Xiamen

Street food & local specialties
Xiamen is known for seafood, soups, and snacks such as peanut-based dishes and oyster omelettes. Around Zhongshan Road and older neighbourhood streets, you will find small eateries and stalls where you can sample local flavours while watching the rhythm of everyday life.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping areas and newer districts offer casual restaurants, bakeries, and cafés serving both Fujian-style cooking and wider Chinese and international dishes. Many places present sharing plates and smaller portions, making it easy to try a variety of flavours in one meal with family or friends.

Signature & scenic dining
For memorable meals, choose venues along the harbourfront or on higher floors of city-centre buildings to enjoy skyline and sea views. Some restaurants on Gulangyu and around the coastal belt combine fresh seafood with outlooks over the water, turning dinner into a relaxed, scenic experience.

Retail therapy in Xiamen

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Xiamen’s main shopping centres bring together international brands, local labels, and dining in one place, often with cinemas and family-friendly facilities. These hubs act as popular meeting points where you can shop, eat, and unwind without moving far between activities.

Markets & local crafts
If you prefer smaller-scale browsing, explore streets around Zhongshan Road and pockets of older neighbourhoods for boutiques and shops selling regional snacks, handicrafts, and design items. Creative zones and side streets sometimes host small studios and independent brands with a distinctly local touch.

Evening retail scene
After dark, central shopping streets and waterfront promenades are attractively lit and stay active with walkers, shoppers, and street-side stalls. Some areas host evening markets with snacks and casual browsing. Public transport and taxis make these districts easy to reach, even later in the evening.

Best time to visit Xiamen

Spring season (chunji, March to May, shoulder season)
Spring in Xiamen is mild and fresh, with average temperatures around 18–24°C (64–75°F). Blossoms and greenery make parks and coastal paths especially pleasant, and humidity is rising but still manageable, creating comfortable conditions for sightseeing and outdoor walks.

Summer season (xiajì, June to September, peak season)
Summer brings warm, humid weather, with average temperatures of 26–32°C (79–90°F). Coastal breezes, longer daylight hours, and beach-friendly conditions make this a lively time to enjoy the seaside, evening strolls, and cool drinks in shaded cafés or waterfront spots.

Autumn and winter season (qiujì and dongjì, October to February, low season)
From autumn into winter, temperatures generally range from 13–22°C (55–72°F), with clearer skies and more comfortable humidity. This period suits travellers who enjoy quieter streets, leisurely walks in parks and historic districts, and gentler sunshine along the harbourfront.

Frequently Asked Questions