Xiamen is one of those cities that quietly outperforms expectations. Gulangyu Island — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017 — is a 5-minute ferry ride from the city centre. Nanputuo Temple sits at the foot of a mountain right on the coast. Xiamen University, ranked among the most beautiful campuses in all of China, lets visitors walk in for free. The city has history, clear water, and genuinely good Fujian food — it works for nearly every kind of traveller.
#1 Gulangyu Island (Piano Island) · Gulangyu Island
A car-free island added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017 for its distinctive blend of European, Chinese, and East African architectural styles. It earned the nickname 'Piano Island' because it once had the highest concentration of pianos in the world. Every street is lined with Amoy Deco buildings and old villas — the only sounds are waves, birdsong, and the occasional melody drifting from a window.
- The public ferry from Shenzan Wharf is free going to the island; the return trip costs 35–40 RMB. Book through Alipay or WeChat in advance during public holidays.
- Arrive early — between 7 and 9 a.m. — before the group tour boats dock. The island is genuinely quiet at that hour.
- Sunlight Rock (日光岩) takes about 15 minutes to climb; entry is 60 RMB. The panoramic view takes in the whole island and Xiamen across the water.
#2 Nanputuo Temple · Nanputuo Temple
A Mahayana Buddhist temple with more than 1,300 years of history, set on the coast at the base of Wulao Mountain. It is the most important temple in Fujian Province and a spiritual centre for overseas Chinese communities worldwide. Behind the main hall, a mountain trail passes through caves with carved Buddha figures, a waterfall, and ocean viewpoints. Inside the grounds stand a 400-year-old bodhi tree and a serene sacred lotus pond.
- Free entry, open daily 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dress modestly — shoulders and legs covered. Wraps are available to borrow at the entrance gate.
- The vegetarian restaurant inside the temple serves cheap lunch — a bowl of rice with sides runs 15–25 RMB, and the food is genuinely good.
- The mountain trail behind the temple connects to Wulao Peak — roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of walking, with outstanding coastal views.
#3 Xiamen University · Xiamen University
Consistently ranked the most beautiful university campus in China and among the top 10 in Asia. Founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee, a prominent overseas Chinese philanthropist, the campus blends Min-Nan (southern Fujian) architecture with Western colonial forms across 4,000 mu of seafront land. Visitors can walk in for free any day of the week. The campus waterfront path is one of the best spots in Xiamen to watch the sun go down.
- Enter via the main Furong Gate — you'll need to register with your passport at the security checkpoint. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
- Furong Lake at the centre of campus and the Jiannan Building are the most photogenic spots, especially in the golden light of late afternoon.
- Campus cafés and restaurants are inexpensive — a good place to stop before or after visiting Nanputuo Temple next door.
#4 Zhongshan Road and the Old Siming District · Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
A shopping street with more than 100 years of history, still intact with its Amoy-style Qilou arcade buildings — the distinctive colonnaded shophouses with projecting upper floors that shade the pavement below. The street runs from the city centre down to the old harbour, lined with local snack shops, tea houses, clothing stores, and souvenir sellers. The mood picks up in the evening when the decorative lighting comes on. Walk back into the lanes behind the main street and you'll find smaller alleys largely untouched by tourism.
- Look for Pineapple Cake (Minnan Sakima) and Xiamen Mochi — both are sold here and make solid souvenirs.
- 6 to 9 p.m. is when live music plays and the atmosphere is at its best, but the street gets crowded. Come before 4 p.m. if you prefer room to move.
- The street connects to Lun Du Pier, where you can take a boat along the Xiamen coast and see Gulangyu Island from the water.
#5 Huandao Road Beach and Baicheng Beach · Huandao Road Beach (Baicheng Beach)
Consistently rated one of the best cycling routes in China, Huandao Road loops around Xiamen Island for 43 kilometres, passing white-sand beaches, clifftop sea views, pine forest, and a yacht marina. The best public beach for swimming is Baicheng Beach, right next to Xiamen University — reasonably clean water and not too crowded on weekdays. The route works equally well on foot, by bike, or simply as a place to sit and watch the sea.
- Hire an e-bike at any ofo or HelloBike station along the route — roughly 5–10 RMB per hour. You don't need to complete the full loop; pick the stretch that interests you.
- Baicheng Beach is safe for swimming. The stretch in front of Nanputuo Temple is not recommended — the water is deep and there are no lifeguards.
- The best sunsets are on the western side of the island, not the eastern side. Ask a local taxi driver for the current best viewpoint — it shifts slightly by season.
#6 Shapowei Art Village · Shapowei Art Village
A fishing village with more than 100 years of history, revived into a lively arts and café district. Old houses are painted in vivid colours and decorated with murals created by artists from around the world. Along the old harbour you'll find coffee shops, art studios, bars, and restaurants where longtime residents and the younger creative crowd share the same streets. Street musicians play in the evenings — the bohemian feel here is unlike anywhere else in Xiamen.
- The best time to visit is 4 to 8 p.m., when the light softens and all the shops are open. Coffee and food in the area runs 30–80 RMB.
- Step into the interior lanes off the main street and you'll find original old houses where elderly fishermen still live — a more genuine atmosphere than the harbour-front.
- Shapowei is close to Shenzan Ferry Terminal — easy to combine with a Gulangyu Island visit in either direction.
Where to stay in Xiamen for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Xiamen — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Swiss Grand Xiamen
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Vishan Garden Boutique Hotel Xiamen
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Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen
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JI Hotel Xiamen Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
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Tours, tickets & activities in Xiamen
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Before You Pack
Xiamen is at its best in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and rainfall is low. Avoid July to September, the typhoon season. Budget at least 3 to 4 days to cover Gulangyu Island and the main city attractions properly.