Xiamen Things to Do & Attractions

Xiamen, a city located in the middle of the west bank of the Taiwan Strait, has become a shining pearl in Fujian Province and even China with its unique geographical location and rich historical and cultural heritage. As a romantic and artistic city, Xiamen attracts countless tourists to visit and feel its unique charm.

Xiamen is a charming sea garden city, where you can walk in the streets of Gulangyu Island, and feel the various styles of architecture; You can ride around the island road and enjoy the beautiful coastline; You can breathe the fresh air in the botanical garden, take the bell drum ropeway overlooking Xiamen, and have a panoramic view of the island; You can also taste Xiamen's delicious food. Let's explore the charm of this city!

A romantic trip to the musical island -- Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island, known as the "Island of Music", is home to a world-renowned piano manufacturing industry and many musicians. The architectural style of the island is unique, integrating Chinese and Western culture. Walking in the streets of Gulangyu, it seems to travel through time and space and return to that romantic era. Famous scenic spots include Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Bright Moon Garden, Longtou Road Commercial Street, and Piano Museum,etc.

On the beach of Gulangyu Island, you can enjoy the beauty of the sun, sand, and waves. You can stroll, bathe, swim, or just lie on the beach here, enjoy the sound of the waves lapping against the shore, feel the breeze blowing your face, and relax yourself. What's more, Gulangyu Island also has an amazing light show at night. Every night, various scenic spots on the island will have a light show with different themes, which is dizzying.

More about Gulangyu Island>>>

Ride along the Huaodao road to Enjoy the Beach View

Huandao Road (Ring Island Road) is a famous scenic road in Xiamen, along the way you can enjoy the seaside scenery, and feel the magnificent sea. Xiamen Huandao Road passes Baicheng Beach, Zeng Cuo An village, Hulishan Fortress, Calligraphy Square, Pearl Bay, Yanwu Bridge, and other attractions.Driving or cycling on the Huandao Road not only offers stunning waterfront views but also mountains, historic sites, local villages, and suspension bridges along the way, while you can admire exotic flowers and palm trees on the side of the road. 

The Ring Island Road from Yanwu Road to Baicheng is a streamlined S-shaped section with a total length of 1.2 km and a bridge length of more than 1 km, with 4 lanes in both directions. Interestingly, the bridge is shaped like a fish belly, and the piers are elliptical, forming a beautiful sea-viewing place, where people can enjoy the scenery of the coast, beach, and waves from different angles, levels, and sides.

More about Huandao Road>>>

A Magical Journey to the Plant Kingdom -- Xiamen Botanical Garden

Xiamen Botanical Garden has a variety of rare plants and is a paradise for plant lovers. The botanical garden is divided into several areas, including tropical rainforests, desert plants, ferns, etc., where visitors can enjoy a magical journey of different plant gardens. In addition, the botanical garden has beautiful lake views, suitable for walking and taking photos.

Ticket Price: CNY40

Opening Time: 6:30-18:00

Opening Time of Rainforest World Fog Forest:

From October 8th to April 30th 9:00~11:00 14:00~16:00

May 1st to October 7th 8:30-11:00 15:00-17:00

Admire the Stunning Scenery of Xiamen from the Air -- Bell Drum Ropeway

The Bell Drum cableway, which connects the two major parks in Xiamen - Bailuzhou Park and Botanical Garden, is one of the landmark attractions of Xiamen. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Xiamen by taking the cableway and have a panoramic view of the coastal scenery and island scenery of Xiamen. It is located on the west side of Xiamen Botanical Garden, with a total length of more than 1000 meters. 

Opening Time: 8:00-17:00

Ticket Price: 70CNY

Take a Stroll at the Most Beautiful University of Xiamen -- Xiamen University

Xiamen University, as a romantic seaside campus, has a variety of beautiful scenery. It is also a world-class university with Chinese characteristics. The university covers an area of about 2,500 acres, one side is the South Putuo Temple, and the other is the beach and Huli Mountain Fort, known as one of the most beautiful university campuses in China. The early buildings of Xiamen University, including the Qunxian Building Group, Jiannan Building Group, Furong Building Group, and Anthropology Museum of Xiamen University, are Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level and were selected as the first batch of China's 20th Century Architectural Heritage list.

Address：No. 422, South Siming Road, Siming District 

Opening Time for Tourist:

Work Day:12:30—14:00   In Vocation: 8:00—18:00

(Make an appointment at least a day in advance)

Enjoy Food and Nanyang Style Buildings -- Zhongshan Road Walking Atreet

Zhongshan Road is an old city block in Xiamen that has retained a relatively complete display of modern historical features, with numerous cultural monuments and various Fujian and Taiwan special snacks. You can admire the unique arcade buildings and historical sites, feel the long history and rich culture, buy souvenirs at the hidden markets in the alleys, or eat local snacks at the famous old restaurants.

Address: No. 56, Zhongshan Road, Siming District

Experience the Buddhist culture of southern Fujian -- Southern Putuo Temple

Nanputuo Temple is located under the Wulao Peak, facing the sea, and close to Xiamen University. It is a place with the most prosperous incense in southern Fujian. Nanputuo temple originated in the Tang Dynasty and embodies the rich history and culture of southern Fujian. Its buildings showcase southern Fujian architectural characteristics, with green tile stone columns, and carved beams.

Address: No. 515, South Siming Road, Siming District

More about Southern Putuo Temple>>>

Hang out in Artistic Village -- Zeng Cuo An

Zeng Cuo An Village is located in the southeast of Xiamen Island, covering an area of about 6.5 square kilometers. Zeng Cuo An was originally a quiet fishing village on the main road around the island. Over the years, Zeng Cuo An has been transformed by the Tourism Bureau and has become a popular scenic spot in Xiamen. Nowadays, there are many characteristic family hotels, food streets, and various art shops in Zeng Cuo An. It has gradually become an ideal paradise for art tourists to sit in small shops, drink coffee, enjoy the sea breeze, and eat delicious food.

Address: Zeng Cuo An, Siming District  

Visit the Origin of Xiamen Port -- Shapowei Art Zone

Shapowei used to be the earliest port in Xiamen, and it is a must-visit place for young people to come to Xiamen. It is a place where old and new urban styles coexist, which is leisurely and full of fashionable interest.

The West Art District is the core area of Shapowei, which is the young cultural and art district of Xiamen, full of various artistic elements. You can visit various studios here, such as sculpture, pottery, printmaking, costume design, etc. University Road of Shapowei has various styles of coffee shops and vintage shops, you can feel the history and romantic atmosphere of old Xiamen. Walk down the alley on University Road, you'll see the landmark of Shapowei. Here you can see the old-fashioned house staggered, without any modification, which may be the magic charm of the Shapowei.

Address: No. 60 Shapowei, Xiamen

Watch a Sunset at Baicheng Beach

Baicheng Beach is located at the foot of Baicheng in the south of Xiamen University, between Yanwu Bridge and Hulishan Fortress. The beach is expansive with soft sand and features a seaside plank road, where you can enjoy the sea waves. The environment is beautiful, the transportation is convenient, and both locals and tourists frequent the area to bask in the soft beach, the azure sea, and the warm sea breeze. How wonderful it is to lie on the beach in the evening and watch a sunset!

Explore the past at Hulishan Fortress

Hulishan Fort is more than 100 years old and was built in 1891. Hulishan Fortress is located in the southeast cape of Xiamen Island, Xiamen City, adjacent to Xiamen University Park, surrounded by the sea on three sides. The Hulishan fortress covers a total area of more than 70,000 square meters, and the castle covers an area of 13,000 square meters. The structure of it is the European style and the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China.