Top Things to do in Xiamen & Places to Visit

The city, also called Amoy, has always been outward-looking toward the ocean and the rest of the world. In the 19th century, it was a treaty port and later one of China’s four original Special Economic Zones.

Due to its connection to the sea and international trade, migrants left from here since the 12th century to form overseas Chinese communities in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines. When translated, Xiamen (厦门) means The Gate of China.

Book your ferry tickets in advance, as visitor numbers are capped.

The only way to explore Gulangyu Island is on foot, as there are no cars or bicycles on the island.
Gulangyu Island (also called Kulangsu Island) became an international settlement in 1903 when Xiamen became a treaty port. With booming trade, thirteen countries, including Great Britain, France, Japan and the Netherlands, eventually set up shop here.

As a result, this small island is peppered with colonial churches, schools, mansions, consulates and government buildings. The Japanese occupied the island in 1942 and was finally returned to China after the Second World War.

The expansive temple complex includes prayer halls filled with golden buddhas and other figures, pavilions, exquisite gardens and gnarly banyan trees growing between granite boulders.

A path behind the temple leads up Wulaofeng mountain, where you get a panoramic view of the temple and sea below.

Entrance to the temple is free of charge, but you must register on a phone app before you enter. It’s available in English, and volunteers will help you at the entrance.

The best place to revel in this creative energy and contemporary art scene is the Shapowei Art Zone. Initially a fishing wharf, the area was completely overhauled into what has become the coolest place in Xiamen.

The old grungy buildings are now home to boutiques, exhibition spaces, independent galleries, coffee shops, cafes and art studios. It feels a liiiiitle like the 798 Art Zone in Beijing, but on a much smaller scale.

Spend a few hours in Shapowei enjoying all that’s hip and young to experience the best of contemporary youth culture in Xiamen. The area is particularly pretty at night and a good spot to grab a few drinks and street food.

The building used to be an old freezer plant providing ice to the fishers. This has been beautifully transformed without losing its original character.

Friendly English service, quality craft beer like German Wheat, Swharz bier, Altbier or Gin Fizz beer and good salami pizza will keep you here longer than planned.

Maps and locals know this brewery as PangPangBeer Ma in case you need to ask for directions.

It’s possible (and recommended) to spend the entire day at this oasis, hopping from one relaxing pool to another. Between hot spring hopping, you can enjoy a massage, sweat in wet and dry saunas, nap in a pod on a hot stone bed, or enjoy delicious food or juice at the restaurant in the garden.

The Riyuegu Resort is a sanctuary of serenity, so treat yourself and spend the day in a robe strolling between hot springs and tropical gardens, finding zen.

The Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort is about 30 km from central Xiamen in the shadow of the Tianzhu Mountains. The most convenient way to get there is by taxi or Didi. We paid RMB 60 for a Didi from Zhongshan Road.

The resort also has free shuttles from the Xiamen Ferry Terminal.

Several packages are available online, including singles, couples or families.

Like most roads in central Xiamen, returning overseas Chinese built Zhongshan Road. The style and colours remind a lot of the streets you’d see in places like Penang and Singapore.

Zhongshan Road is busy day and night, with local tourists visiting the city’s must-see while shopping for souvenirs and trying street food.

Zhongshan Road is THE PLACE to snack on Fujian and Taiwanese street food from sunrise to well into the night. Strolling along Zhongshan Road gives you more than enough temptations to try street food. Follow your nose or see where the crowds are gathering for the best spots

The best time to stroll along Zhongshan Road is after dark when it’s beautifully lit up.

Another street food dish you must try is the Oyster Omelette (Hailijian 海蛎煎). Fresh oysters are mixed with flour and garlic and then fried together. Just before it’s cooked, eggs are added and folded into an omelette. You can even add vegetables if you prefer. Served with spicy satay sauce, this is a breakfast of champions at any time of day. 

Where to eat in Xiamen:
You can’t go wrong with a good old dim sum for the best brunch anywhere in China. For the best dim sum in Xiamen, go to 潮福城大酒楼 (湖滨北路店). The pineapple buns are the best we’ve ever had – and we’ve had quite a few. 

For street food, stroll down Zhongshan Road or head to Taiwan Snack Food Street.

In Shapowei, 阿里元餐厅海鲜闽菜 (厦大沙坡尾店) is like an aquarium, but you get to eat them all. Tanks and tanks full of fresh seafood to choose from with cold beer and canned fruit teas ( try the pink guava or mango!) from Taiwan. Highly recommended.

These Hakka villages are outstanding and a real highlight of travelling in China. They are well worth a visit.

While many day tours visit the Hakka tulou from Xiamen, these tours will be very long days with much time spent on the road. If you’re pressed for time, you can get this private transfer between Xiamen and the tulou villages.

We suggest putting aside a day or two and properly exploring the mud castles and villages scattered throughout the hills of Fujian province. Read here how we visited the Hakka Tulou on our own.

Okay, we told you what we had to. If you have any questions, drop us a question in the comments below, and, as always, we’ll try our best to help.
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