Xiamen itself is a charming city, and it is home to ancient monuments, streets, and a lovely waterfront where it is pleasant to walk. A city discovery route starts from Xiamen University and ends on the beach. This long walk by the sea allows you to appreciate beautiful maritime landscapes interspersed with rocks and reefs. Many newlyweds come here to take photos of wedding outfits. This is a custom practiced in many famous Chinese landscapes!

Many bars and restaurants with sea views effectively allow you to take a break to eat or refresh. The subtropical climate of Fujian offers beautiful sunny days from the first days of spring. Be careful, however, to avoid school vacation periods, especially in summer.

For a local immersion, don’t forget to discover the Kaihe Lu market. In the old quarter of Xiamen, this lively little market sells all kinds of sea creatures, with a church and buildings with covered terraces in the background.

A unique and romantic option is to go to Gulangyu Island. Accessible by ferry to this islet of 1km², it was once a former colonial trading post that has retained many buildings from that era. On arrival, you could enjoy the secluded beaches of Gulangyu and their view of Xiamen. The ferry between Xiamen and Gulangyu operates from 6h00 a.m. to midnight. If you decide to go there, here is some useful information for you:

1. There are several piers in Xiamen, and tourists can choose to board from Xiagu Pier in Xiamen to NeiCuoAo Pier on Gulangyu Island. The ferry operates from 07h10 to 17h50.

2. After visiting Gulangyu Island, it is advisable to return from Sanqiutian Pier, located on the east side of the island. Return Ferry operates from 07h20 to 18h00, and you will arrive at Xiagu Wharf from Xiamen. After 6h20 and 12h00, the ferry arrives at Lundu wharf in Xiamen.

3. Arrive at the pier one hour before the ferry departure time (exchange your passport and go through security).

Xiamen also offers many cultural and architectural landmarks, and they are not far from each other.

Among them, the Nanputuo Temple is a well-known Buddhist sanctuary for the Fujianese, attracting many devotees from Southeast Asia. It is a busy temple where worshipers light incense sticks and pray while monks chant. In and around Nanputuo Temple, there are some good vegetarian restaurants.

Next to the temple, Xiamen University has beautiful buildings from the Republican period and a pretty lake, which make up a pleasant setting for a walk. Within its enclosure, the Museum of Anthropology exhibits two “hanging coffins” from a cliff in Wuyishan.

Close to the university, the Museum of Chinese Expatriates pays a great tribute to Chinese communities abroad through reconstructions of street scenes, models, photos, and other accessories.

Built-in 1894 and more than 70,000 square meters, the huge Huli Shan Fortress equipped with German cannons stands to the south of the Xiamen University. Standing here, you can use binoculars to observe the island of Kinmen.

Daily ferries connect Kinmen Island to Xiamen City, so it is possible to visit Kinmen for a day or half a day. Be careful, however, that Kinmen belongs to Taiwan, while Westerners do not need a visa to visit Taiwan within 90 days, and a double-entry China visa will be necessary if you wish to return to Xiamen after the visit to Kinmen. Or it is possible to continue your journey to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan (cheap domestic flights between Kinmen and Taipei).

Xiamen is the gateway to the region of the Hakka land, and travelers come to visit the famous round houses called “Tulou“. For more information, see our more comprehensive article below.