Xiamen Travel Guide
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-23 · Research basis: Editor research
At a glance
China's most romantic island city: car-free Gulangyu with its colonial architecture and piano museums, Xiamen University and Nanputuo Temple, and a seafood scene built on shacha noodles - all on a slow island pace.
Suggested stay: 2-3 days · Airports: XMN (Gaoqi) · Train hubs: Xiamen Station (island, central) / Xiamen North (HSR hub, 40 min out)
What is Xiamen known for?
- Gulangyu Island
- Xiamen University & Nanputuo
- Island Ring Road
What do you eat in Xiamen?
shacha noodles · oyster omelette (hai li jian). Shacha noodles and oyster omelettes by the sea.
How do you arrive in Xiamen?
XMN (Gaoqi) handle the international arrivals; Xiamen Station (island, central) is the high-speed rail entry point.
Where should you stay in Xiamen?
Zhongshan Road / Old Town is the default first-timer base — first-timers — ferry piers and food streets on foot. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Xiamen →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Zhongshan Road / Old Town | first-timers — ferry piers and food streets on foot | Line 1 underfoot; cobbles vs. luggage |
| Zengcuo'an / Island Ring Road | beach days and bike rides | guesthouse-heavy; 20-30 min from town |
| Station / Lianban | late arrivals, easy airport runs | transport-first; big-brand comfort |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-23 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
XMN Gaoqi is on the island itself: Metro Line 3, 20-30 min into town (¥3-5 (about $0.50-0.70)). Beware Xiamen North station - 30 km from the old town (Line 1, 40 min). Day ferries to Gulangyu leave from Dongdu pier for tourists.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 The 3-day route that never doubles back
- 🔍 Do you even need a visa?
- 🔍 Booking train tickets as a foreigner
- 🔍 Which hotels can foreigners book
- 🔍 Paying without a Chinese bank card
- 🔍 Landing with data: eSIM setup
Explore the Xiamen guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.