Xiamen

Basic Overview

Xiamen is a beautiful coastal garden city in southeastern Fujian, famous for clean seawater, soft beaches, warm climate all year round and exotic colonial architectures. As a classic coastal leisure resort, it blends ocean scenery, European-style ancient villas, Buddhist culture and Minnan local lifestyle. With slow-paced life, fresh air and romantic island views, it is one of the most popular seaside travel destinations for overseas visitors.

Natural Landscapes

Xiamen features gentle coastal scenery, quiet islands, urban wetlands and tropical garden landscapes, fresh and romantic all seasons.

• Gulangyu Island: A car-free isolated island known as “Sea Garden”. It has soft beaches, lush tropical plants, rolling small hills and panoramic sea views.
• Xiamen Bay Beach: Clean urban coastline with endless sea views, sunset beaches and coastal walking trails.
• Wanshi Botanical Garden: Famous tropical rainforest garden with giant succulent plants, glass greenhouses and fresh forest scenery.
• Yundang Lake Wetland: Urban lake wetland integrating water scenery, green belts and urban ecological landscape.

Historical and Cultural Sites

Xiamen retains century-old overseas Chinese culture, colonial architectures and traditional Minnan cultural relics.

• Gulangyu Historic Buildings: A large number of well-preserved European-style villas and churches, forming a unique exotic architectural cluster.
• South Putuo Temple: Millennium ancient Buddhist temple with grand buildings, quiet courtyards and coastal mountain scenery.
• Xiamen University Old Campus: Classic century-old campus with lakes, ancient buildings and tropical scenery, a famous cultural landmark.
• Zengcuo’an Ancient Fishing Village: Original coastal ancient village retaining old Minnan fishing culture and street style.

Local culture experiences

Xiamen focuses on slow coastal leisure, Minnan folk customs and tea culture experience.

• Gulangyu Island Slow Tour: Wander villa lanes, listen to piano melodies and enjoy quiet island time.
• Coastal Sunset Watching: Walk along the coastline to watch sea sunset and coastal night scenery.
• Minnan Tea Tasting Experience: Taste local Tieguanyin tea and experience traditional southern Fujian tea culture.
• Ancient Village Folk Tour: Explore old fishing streets and feel authentic coastal Minnan life.

Local cuisine

Xiamen food is typical Minnan coastal flavor, fresh, light and sweet, dominated by seafood and local classic snacks.

• Seafood Congee: Fresh seafood matched with soft congee, fresh and mild taste.
• Shacha Noodles: Xiamen signature snack with special satay sauce, rich and mellow flavor.
• Oyster Omelette: Classic coastal specialty made with fresh local oysters, crispy and tender.
• Pineapple Cake: Famous Fujian dessert, sweet and refreshing with tropical fruit flavor.

Recommended itinerary 

• Day 1: Gulangyu Island full-day sightseeing → Beach sunset
• Day 2: South Putuo Temple → Xiamen University → Botanical Garden & local food tasting

Travel tips

Best travel time: March-November, warm and suitable for seaside travel. The coastal ultraviolet ray is strong, please do sun protection. Wear comfortable shoes for island walking.