Xiamen is a coastal city known for its leafy boulevards, sea views, and relaxed café culture. You find historic streets, island scenery, and a gentle pace of life by the water.
Discover Xiamen
Discover Xiamen
Why visit Xiamen?
What to expect
Expect a compact city with a walkable waterfront, a well-preserved colonial-era island next door, and neighbourhoods filled with boutiques, teahouses, and university life. The atmosphere is welcoming and quietly vibrant.
Plan your trip
Xiamen works well for a short seaside break or as a gateway to Fujian, including tulou villages and coastal towns. Plan time for both city wandering and easy day trips into the surrounding countryside.
Top sights in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
Stroll car-free lanes past historic villas, music halls, and seaside promenades, with panoramic views back towards Xiamen city.
Xiamen University and Furong Tunnel
Wander one of China’s most scenic campuses, then walk through Furong Tunnel lined with colourful murals and street art.
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Browse historic shophouses, snack on local treats, and take in the evening lights along this lively central street.
Huandao Road Coastal Scenic Belt
Cycle or walk along palm-lined paths that trace the shoreline, with beaches, sea views, and photo stops along the way.
Nanputuo Temple and Wulao Peak
Explore a historic hillside temple complex, then hike up to Wulao Peak for sweeping views over the city and harbour.
Railway Cultural Park
Follow a disused railway line turned green corridor, dotted with small cafés, galleries, and leafy rest spots.
Jimei School Village
Visit an elegant educational quarter by the water, with traditional-style buildings, lakeside walks, and quiet gardens.
Experience Xiamen’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use the metro and buses for most journeys, with the BRT system handy for fast cross-city travel. For a scenic ride, take the coastal cycle paths or short ferry to Gulangyu Island, and use metered taxis or ride-hailing for the last mile back to your hotel.
Local life & culture
You see residents gathering in parks for dance, tai chi, and music, especially in the early mornings and evenings. University districts and older neighbourhood streets mix bookshops, teahouses, and galleries, giving Xiamen a youthful yet laid-back cultural feel.
Where to unwind
Head to one of the city beaches along Huandao Road in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the sea breeze picks up. Parks around Xiamen University and Jimei offer calm green corners, ideal for a quiet walk or a sunset sit by the water.
A taste of Xiamen
Street food & local specialties
Look for peanut soup, seafood noodle soups, and oyster omelettes in older neighbourhoods and around Zhongshan Road. Gulangyu Island also has many small stalls serving traditional snacks and locally roasted nuts.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping areas and newer districts offer an easy mix of noodle shops, hotpot, contemporary cafés, and international options. Menus often feature shared plates and modest portions, so you can try a variety of flavours in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose a restaurant overlooking the harbour or coastline for seafood with night-time city views. On Gulangyu and along the waterfront, converted villas and rooftop terraces make for memorable dinners by the sea.
Retail therapy in Xiamen
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern malls across the island bring together international labels, local brands, cinemas, and family-friendly entertainment. They are easy places to escape the heat, meet friends, and enjoy both shopping and dining under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Smaller streets off Zhongshan Road, parts of Gulangyu Island, and areas near Xiamen University are good for local boutiques, handicrafts, and design shops. You can pick up teas, ceramics, and small artworks as simple keepsakes.
Evening retail scene
After dark, pedestrian streets and some open-air markets glow with neon signs, snack stalls, and late-opening shops. The metro and buses run frequently into the evening, making these areas straightforward to reach and return from.
Best time to visit Xiamen
Spring shoulder season (March to May) brings mild, comfortable weather, with average temperatures around 18–24°C (64–75°F), ideal for walking and coastal views. Summer peak season (June to September) is hot and humid, with temperatures often between 26–32°C (79–90°F), drawing beachgoers but also bringing occasional rain. Autumn and winter low season (October to February) is generally cool and dry, with temperatures about 12–20°C (54–68°F), quieter streets, and clearer air for city and island sightseeing.