The Seaside Chinese Culture Top Choice for Holidays – Xiamen（厦门）
Xiamen, called the “Garden on the Sea,” is a city where islands, reefs, rocks, temples, flowers, and trees all blend together harmoniously. It is a unique mix of overseas Chinese heritage, Minnan and Taiwan customs, coastal cuisine, and foreign architecture. With its mild, spring-like climate year-round, Xiamen’s natural beauty is even more enhanced. It is one of China’s most environmentally friendly cities, surrounded by clear waters, vast beaches, and warm sunshine. Due to the city’s shape resembling an egret, Xiamen is also known as “Egret Island.”
Here are some must-visit destinations in Xiamen:
Gulangyu Island（鼓浪屿）: Known as the “Garden on the Sea,” “Museum of International Architecture,” and “Piano Island,” Gulangyu is a truly romantic place to explore.
Nanputuo Temple（南普陀寺）: A peaceful Buddhist sanctuary where visitors can enjoy the famous vegetarian cuisine prepared by the temple.
Xiamen University（厦门大学）: One of the most beautiful university campuses in China, nestled by the sea with charming coastal views and scenic architecture.
Hulishan Fortress（胡里山炮台）: A blend of European and traditional Chinese Ming and Qing dynasty’s architectural styles, the fortress houses both the largest and smallest ancient cannons in the world.
This vibrant city combines natural beauty, cultural richness, and a relaxed coastal vibe, making Xiamen a perfect destination to experience China’s coastal charm.
Gulangyu Island Scenic Area（鼓浪屿）：
Gulangyu is described as a “Garden on the Sea.” Standing on Xiamen Island, you can gaze across the Lujiang River（鹭江） at Gulangyu, which resembles a delicate bonsai. Wandering through its lush greenery and vibrant flowers feels like stepping into a beautiful garden. If you sit on one of the rocks by the seaside in the Piano Garden, you can enjoy the melody of piano
with the sound of the waves. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and rugged coastal rock formations, Gulangyu’s natural beauty creates a charming and timeless island landscape.
Sunlight Rock（日光岩）: A Must-See spot on Gulangyu Island
Sunlight Rock, the highest point on Gulangyu Island, consists of two massive stones leaning against each other—one standing upright and the other lying horizontally. Beneath the rock, there’s a cave called the “Ancient Summer Resort Cave,” which serves as a natural ventilation spot, providing cool air to relieve visitors from the heat. At the top of Sunlight Rock, the Tianfeng Platform（天风台） offers the best panoramic view of the island.
Visitors who climb up can feel the sky within reach and enjoy a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Summer is an especially great time to visit Sunlight Rock.
Transportation to Gulangyu Island
•Dongdu Pier (东渡码头-International Cruise Center) to Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier（鼓浪屿三丘田码头）: Ferries depart every 20 minutes, round-trip ticket is ¥35 per person. Winter schedule (Oct 1 – May 31): 7:10 AM – 5:30 PM, Summer schedule (Jun 1 – Sep 30): 7:10 AM – 6:30 PM.
•Dongbo Pier (东波码头-International Cruise Center) to Gulangyu Neicuo’ao Pier（鼓浪屿内厝澳码头）: Ferries also depart every 20 minutes. Regular boat fare is ¥35 per person, while luxury boats cost ¥50 per person. Schedule is the same as above.
•Night Ferry Route: Xiamen Ferry Terminal to Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier, departing every 30 minutes. Round-trip fare is ¥35 per person. Winter schedule (Oct 1 – May 31): 5:50 PM – 11:45 PM, Summer schedule (Jun 1 – Sep 30): 6:50 PM – 11:45 PM.
•Overnight Ferries: Xiamen Ferry Terminal to Gulangyu Sanqiutian Pier, departing hourly. Round-trip fare is ¥35 per person. Schedule: 12:15 AM – 6:30 AM.
You can book tickets through Xiamen Ferry Company’s official website: http://www.xmferry.com.
Nanputuo Temple（南普陀寺）：
Nanputuo Temple is one of Xiamen’s renowned ancient temples, set against a backdrop of scenic mountain peaks and facing the the sea, offering stunning views. Behind the temple, five peaks stand tall, covered in lush pine and bamboo, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. Nanputuo is always bustling with visitors and worshippers. Every year on the 19th day of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months, grand Buddhist ceremonies are held to celebrate the birthdays of Guanyin Bodhisattva. During these events, devout believers gather, holding incense and praying for health and prosperity. Visitors also have the chance to taste the temple’s famous vegetarian cuisine.
Xiamen University（厦门大学）：
Xiamen University is nestled between mountains and the sea, with Wulao Peak（五老峰） at its back and Nanputuo Temple as its neighbor. Just outside the Baicheng Gate is a seaside bathing beach. Known for its unique architecture and stunning scenery, it is often regarded as one of the most beautiful university campuses in China. With Nanputuo Temple on one side and the beach and Hulishan Fortress on the other, the campus itself boasts attractions such as Furong Lake and Lovers’ Valley Reservoir. The campus is famed for being a romantic spot, often referred to as a place “for love stories.” Many couples come to the nearby beach for wedding photos.
Hulishan Fortress（胡里山炮台）：
Hulishan Fortress is home to the world’s largest and smallest cannons. Its design is a combination of half-bunker and half-rampart, reflecting architectural influences from both Europe and China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. In front of the fortress are lookout points, “Wangguitai” and “Panguitai,” where visitors can use telescopes to view the nearby Dadan and Erdan Islands under the jurisdiction of Kinmen. Additionally, a large wall sculpture titled The Soul of the Nation has been recently added to the fortress grounds.
Xiamen’s Specialties and Local Delicacies
Xiamen is famous for its local flavors and specialties. Xiamen cuisine, a prominent part of the Min cuisine tradition, is one of the eight great Chinese culinary styles. It is renowned for its seafood, medicinal dishes, vegetarian cuisine from Nanputuo Temple, and a variety of flavorful snacks. When you visit Xiamen, the following dishes are a must-try:
Ginger Duck (姜母鸭)：
This dish uses red-faced duck as the main ingredient. The duck meat is stir-fried in sesame oil and then stewed with old ginger and rice wine. The resulting dish is fragrant and flavorful, with a balance of sweet and spicy. It is also believed to have health benefits, such as soothing the liver, nourishing the lungs, strengthening the stomach and spleen, improving blood circulation, and dispelling cold and phlegm.
Fried Noodles (炒面线)：
The noodles are fried until golden brown and then blanched in hot water to remove excess oil. Thinly sliced pork, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and garlic sprouts are stir-fried with seafood like fish and shrimp, then mixed with Shaoxing wine. The fried noodles are stir-fried again with these ingredients. The dish is usually served with a side of satay sauce or hot chili sauce.
Tusu Jelly (土笋冻)：
This jelly-like delicacy is made from sand-worms, which are boiled to extract their natural gelatin. Once cooled, the liquid solidifies into a transparent jelly. The dish is light and fresh in taste, often served with soy sauce, vinegar, sweet sauce, chili sauce, mustard, garlic paste, and toppings such as seaweed, shredded radish, and tomato slices. It is a unique and flavorful local snack.
Oyster Omelette (海蛎煎)
Also known as Oyster Pancake, this is a classic snack in southern Fujian and Taiwan. Fresh oysters are mixed with egg, sweet potato starch, and vegetables, then fried to a crisp outside while remaining tender inside. The oysters impart a delicious seafood flavor, and the dish is often topped with a sweet and spicy sauce for added taste. It’s a popular street food, especially at night markets.
Best Time to Visit Xiamen
Xiamen has mild winters and warm summers without extreme cold or heat. With long hours of sunshine throughout the year, trees remain green and flowers bloom in all seasons, each offering its unique charm. However, it’s important to note that typhoon season occurs around August. If you’re visiting during this period, it’s crucial to stay updated on weather forecasts.
Typhoons can cause flight cancellations, and coastal attractions may close due to strong winds and heavy rain. Outdoor activities may become difficult, and in mountainous areas, the risk of landslides increases. Therefore, as long as you avoid the typhoon season, any other time of the year is ideal for visiting Xiamen.
Two-Day Itinerary for Xiamen
If you have two days in Xiamen, you can try this:
Day 1: Nanputuo Temple(南普陀寺) – Xiamen University （厦门大学）– Huandao Road（环岛路） – Jimei School Village（集美学村）
Start your morning with a visit to Nanputuo Temple, where you taste the famous vegetarian dishes the temple is known for. Afterward, take a peaceful walk through the beautiful campus of Xiamen University. In the afternoon, head to Huandao Road, where you can rent a bike and enjoy the stunning coastal views, feeling the breeze and soaking in the golden sunlight.
Once you’ve had your fill of cycling, make your way to Jimei School Village to admire the “Jia Geng” architectural style, characterized by ornate bridges and richly decorated buildings. As evening approaches, just relaxing by the seaside.
Day 2: Gulangyu Island Day Tour
In the morning, take a ferry (about 10 minutes) to Gulangyu Island. Your first stop should be Haoyue Garden(皓月园), where you can admire the giant granite statue of Zheng Chenggong. From there, head to Shuzhuang Garden（菽庄花园）, home to the Gulangyu Piano Museum, which is regarded as a world-class piano museum and the only one of its kind in China. After a short 10-minute walk, you’ll reach the famous Sunlight Rock, the island’s highest point and best lookout. While at Sunlight Rock, be sure to visit the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall and the Bird Garden nearby.
Transportation in Xiamen
Getting around in Xiamen is incredibly convenient. If you’ve read our post before, you’re probably already familiar with WeChat and Alipay, which can easily handle both transportation and payments. You can try Xiamen’s metro , or take advantage of the city’s convenient bus services.
For instructions on how to use WeChat and Alipay, you can read more below：
For transportation around the city, you could use both Didi(滴滴打车) or Gaode map（高德地图） to call a taxi, or if you don’t wanna download so much apps, only if you have WeChat or Alipay( called 支付宝 in China), you can get this service easily by searching keywords such ass “didi or gaode maps”.By the way, if you wanna try local bus, you’d better have a WeChat or Alipay with balance then open the QR code to switch on the bus’ machine, in China cash is not popular anymore.
Enjoy the Delights of Xiamen’s Cuisine and Scenery!
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