Gulangyu Island

Travel Guide
Gulangyu Island showing street scenes and a city
Take the ferry to this laid-back island, which is quite small, but known for its excellent seafood, beaches, music and historic architecture.

Gulangyu Island, home to charming colonial villas, good air quality and shady banyan trees, is a lovely and popular Xiamen destination. Wander down car-free lanes, stop in a small restaurant for milk tea and listen to piano music often heard drifting through the streets.

Serving as Xiamen’s foreign concession until World War II, the island was settled by fourteen different countries between the 19th and early 20th centuries. Note the many surviving colonial buildings, which act as visible reminders of the island’s history.

Less than 0.8 square miles (2 square kilometres) in size, this tiny island is a perfect spot for strolling and enjoying a relaxed atmosphere. Fuzhou Lu and Guxin Lu streets are lined with picturesque flowers throughout the year. For a more peaceful atmosphere, walk farther away from the busy ferry terminal.

Moving southeast from the pier, notice the former Japanese Bo’ai Hospital, which dates back to 1936. Walk up Lujiao Lu to see the old Japanese Consulate and the early 20th-century Ecclesia Catholica. Don’t miss Guancai Lou, a Dutch-designed former residence built in 1931. Like many of the island’s buildings, it has not been especially well preserved over the years, but it exudes a weathered beauty and retains many of its original features.

Find out why Gulangyu is nicknamed "Piano Island” by checking out the unique museum found in Shuzhuang Garden. The museum houses more than 30 historic pianos collected from around the world by Gulangyu native Hu Youyi. Look for a 19th-century American Steinway & Sons piano and a piano which is gold plated.

Toward the southcentral part of the island, find Sunlight Rock, which is the island’s highest point. Walk up this 304-foot (93-metre) hill, taking note of the ancient inscriptions carved along the rocky path. From the top of the hill, enjoy striking views over the entire island and across the water to Xiamen. 

Gulangyu Island is located off the shore of Xiamen, a short ferry trip from Xiamen Ferry Terminal. Non-Chinese visitors must travel from the Dongdu International Cruise Terminal. Visit mid-week to avoid crowds.

Where to stay in Gulangyu Island

Nanputuo Temple featuring a city, a lake or waterhole and a garden

Siming District

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Get to know Siming District and its many features like its mountain views and museums. You might want to explore sights like Xiamen Botanical Garden and Wanshi Botanical Garden, and you can jump on the metro at Xiamen Station or Shangli Xincun Station to get around the city.

Siming District
Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
No.509 North Huandao Road, Huli District, Xiamen
The price is S$74 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
S$74
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Xiamen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Xiamen Bridge and Jiageng Park ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (110 reviews)
"This property is only 7 km from airport. The options to get there are taxi, bus 424. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Room size is larger than standard."

Reviewed on 19 Mar,2024

Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone, an IHG Hotel
Swiss Grand Xiamen
Swiss Grand Xiamen
5 out of 5
12 Lu Jiang Dao, Xiamen, Fujian
The price is S$124 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$124
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Xiamen. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Popular attractions Xiamen-Gulangyu Island Terminal and Sanqi Tian ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (341 reviews)
"The scenery facing the "Gulang Island" was beautiful!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

Swiss Grand Xiamen
Langham Place Xiamen
Langham Place Xiamen
5 out of 5
No. 4668 Xianyue Road, Xiamen, Fujian
The price is S$121 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
S$121
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Xiamen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (402 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 12 Feb,2024

Langham Place Xiamen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Somerset Software Park Xiamen
Somerset Software Park Xiamen
4 out of 5
No 2 Jinshan Rd, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Xiamen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (62 reviews)
"Excellent .......beautiful and convenient location"

Reviewed on 9 Jan,2020

Somerset Software Park Xiamen
Twin Tower Anthony Seaview Apart-Hotel
Twin Tower Anthony Seaview Apart-Hotel
3.5 out of 5
No.180 Yanwu West Road, Siming District, Haixia Shimao Building Twin Towers, Xiamen, Fujian
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Xiamen. Enjoy free WiFi, free airport pick-up, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Overseas Chinese Museum ...
6/10 (18 reviews)
Still has some kinks to work out
"I needed a room and free airport transfers for an overnight layover. This did not end up being ideal for that situation but might be good for a longer stay as long as you confirm the airport transfer well in advance. Communication was very difficult (English speaker) and the instructions for the ..."

Reviewed on 27 Nov,2018

Twin Tower Anthony Seaview Apart-Hotel
Traveler Harbourview Hotel Xiamen
Traveler Harbourview Hotel Xiamen
3 out of 5
182 Yanwu West Road, Siming District, Shimao Straits Tower A, Xiamen, Fujian
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Xiamen. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Overseas Chinese Museum and Nanputuo ...
Traveler Harbourview Hotel Xiamen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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