Xiamen is a relaxed coastal city known for its leafy streets, lively waterfront, and easy access to historic Gulangyu Island. You can enjoy seaside promenades, traditional architecture, and a gentle island pace.
Discover Xiamen
Discover Xiamen
Why visit Xiamen?
What to expect
You will find a compact, walkable city with a blend of colonial-era buildings, university districts, and modern harbourside developments. The atmosphere is laid-back, with sea breezes, parks, and café-lined streets.
Plan your trip
Xiamen is an ideal introduction to coastal China and a gateway to Fujian province, famous for tea-growing mountains and tulou earth buildings. Use the city as a base, then take day trips or overnight journeys into the surrounding countryside.
Top sights in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
Take a short ferry ride to this pedestrian-only island to wander garden villas, narrow lanes, and viewpoints overlooking Xiamen Bay.
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Stroll along this historic shopping street, lined with arcaded shophouses, snack stalls, and traditional boutiques that glow after dark.
Xiamen University and Hulishan Fortress
Explore one of China’s most picturesque campuses, then walk to the nearby coastal fortress for sea views and old ramparts.
Huandao Road Coastal Greenway
Cycle or walk along this scenic seaside route, passing sandy beaches, sculptures, and viewpoints facing the open sea.
Nanputuo Temple area
Climb the rocky paths behind the temple complex for sweeping views of Xiamen and the surrounding coastline.
Jimei School Village
Visit this waterside district, known for its distinctive Fujian-style architecture, lakeside walkways, and cultural monuments.
Xiamen botanical and wetland parks
Spend a few quiet hours in the city’s botanical gardens and wetlands, where shaded trails and ponds offer a break from urban life.
Experience Xiamen’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use Xiamen’s metro and buses for most journeys, then switch to taxis or ride-hailing for late-night or cross-town trips. Ferries connect the main city with Gulangyu Island, while walking is often the best way to explore older neighbourhoods.
Local life & culture
Life in Xiamen centres on the waterfront, leafy university streets, and lively community squares. You will see residents practising morning exercise, students filling cafés, and families gathering along the seafront promenades in the evening.
Where to unwind
Head to the city’s beaches and coastal parks in the late afternoon for sea breezes and sunset views. Hilltop viewpoints and lakeside promenades are peaceful spots for a slow walk, especially as the lights of the city come on.
A taste of Xiamen
Street food & local specialties
Sample coastal snacks such as seafood soups, peanut-based treats, and Fujian-style noodles at busy streets near Zhongshan Road and around the ferry terminals. Smaller lanes hide family-run eateries serving regional comfort dishes.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Modern malls and mixed-use districts house a wide range of eateries, from noodle bars to contemporary Asian restaurants. Menus often feature smaller plates, making it easy to try several dishes during one relaxed meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose a restaurant facing the harbour or a rooftop venue overlooking Gulangyu and the skyline for a memorable evening. Many hotels also offer refined dining rooms where you can pair local flavours with wide city views.
Retail therapy in Xiamen
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central shopping centres bring together international brands, cinemas, and casual eateries, turning them into all-day meeting places. You can browse fashion, tech, and homeware under one roof, then pause for coffee or a film.
Markets & local crafts
Neighbourhood streets around Zhongshan Road and older quarters host small boutiques and stalls selling tea, snacks, and handicrafts. Look out for areas near the university and Jimei for creative studios and independent labels.
Evening retail scene
After dark, illuminated pedestrian streets and late-opening shops give the city a gentle buzz, with food stalls and small vendors appearing along busy routes. Buses, the metro, and taxis make it simple to reach these areas and return to your hotel.
Best time to visit Xiamen
Peak season runs from March to May and October to November, with mild weather around 18–25°C (64–77°F) and comfortable humidity, ideal for walking and island visits. Shoulder season falls in December to February, when temperatures of 10–18°C (50–64°F) and cooler breezes suit sightseeing with fewer crowds. Low season is June to September, when it is hot and humid at around 26–32°C (79–90°F), with tropical showers and occasional storms, but quieter attractions and lush green landscapes.