Xiamen is a breezy coastal city known for its leafy streets, waterfront promenades, and historic architecture. You will find a relaxed pace, sea views, and a blend of traditional Fujian culture with modern city life.
Discover Xiamen
Discover Xiamen
Why visit Xiamen?
What to expect
Expect a compact city framed by the sea, with easy ferry access to heritage-filled Gulangyu Island, lively university districts, and parks overlooking the harbour. Wide walkways, pockets of colonial-era buildings, and seaside bike paths set the tone for your visit.
Plan your trip
Xiamen works well for a short coastal escape or as a base for exploring Fujian, including nearby tulou villages and island getaways. With its modern transport links, it is also a useful gateway to other cities along China’s southeast coast.
Top sights in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
Take the ferry to this pedestrian-only island, where winding lanes, gardens, and historic villas overlook the sea.
Xiamen University and Furong Tunnel
Stroll through one of China’s most scenic campuses, then walk the Furong Tunnel, lined with colourful murals and street art.
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Wander this lively street for heritage facades, local snacks, and atmospheric evening lights near the waterfront.
Huandao Road Coastal Belt
Cycle or walk along this long seaside route for beaches, ocean views, and photo stops at lookout points.
Nanputuo Temple and Wulao Peak
Explore this historic temple complex, then hike up the nearby hill for sweeping views over Xiamen and the bay.
Xiamen Botanical Garden
Escape into landscaped gardens and rocky hillsides, where themed plant collections offer a quiet break from the city.
Zengcuo’an Village
Browse lanes of cafés and boutiques in this regenerated seaside neighbourhood, popular for its creative atmosphere.
Experience Xiamen’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use the metro and public buses for most journeys across Xiamen, with taxis or ride-hailing for late nights or direct trips. Ferries connect the main city to Gulangyu, while bike rentals along Huandao Road are ideal for coastal exploring and short scenic hops.
Local life & culture
You will feel local life in university districts, neighbourhood parks, and along the waterfront promenades at dusk. Traditional Minnan architecture, small family-run shops, and contemporary art spaces on Gulangyu and in older streets show how Xiamen balances heritage with modern creativity.
Where to unwind
Head to the beaches and coastal parks along Huandao Road for sea air, especially around sunset. The slopes near Nanputuo and the Botanical Garden provide leafy trails and viewpoints where you can pause, enjoy the breeze, and watch the city from above.
A taste of Xiamen
Street food & local specialties
Sample Fujian specialities such as seafood noodles, satay-style soups, and peanut-based snacks from street stalls around Zhongshan Road, Zengcuo’an, and Gulangyu’s back lanes.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Find convenient eateries in shopping centres and modern districts, where you can try regional Chinese dishes, hotpot, and international options in smaller portions, making it easy to share and taste a variety of flavours.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose harbourfront restaurants or hilltop venues overlooking the bay for a memorable meal with city lights or sea views, ideal for lingering over fresh seafood and a relaxed evening.
Retail therapy in Xiamen
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central malls in Xiamen bring together international brands, local designers, supermarkets, cinemas, and cafés, offering cool, comfortable spaces to browse and meet friends between sightseeing stops.
Markets & local crafts
Explore side streets off Zhongshan Road, Zengcuo’an’s small boutiques, and Gulangyu’s artisan shops for handicrafts, snacks to take home, and locally designed souvenirs.
Evening retail scene
After dark, pedestrian streets glow with signs, music, and busy snack stalls, making browsing feel like part of the nightlife. Well-connected buses, metro lines, and taxis make these areas easy to reach and return from in the evening.
Best time to visit Xiamen
Spring (March to May) is shoulder season, with mild, comfortable weather around 18–24°C (64–75°F) and blooming parks. Summer (June to September) is peak season, bringing hot, humid days around 26–32°C (79–90°F), with occasional showers but warm sea temperatures. Autumn and winter (October to February) are shoulder to low season, generally dry and cooler at about 12–20°C (54–68°F), offering clearer skies and pleasant conditions for walking and cycling.