Xiamen

Travel Guide
Nanputuo Temple showing religious aspects, street scenes and a temple or place of worship
A charming car-free island with colonial mansions, ancient temples and markets, fresh seafood and China’s best kite-surfing breezes awaits at this port city.

Xiamen is an attractive coastal city in China’s Fujian Province, which overlooks the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea. The name Xiamen means “door to the house” for centuries the city was a vital seaport and gateway to China. Xiamen is renowned for its colonial architecture, magnificent temples, tree-lined beaches and rapidly growing kite-surfing scene.

Geographically diverse, Xiamen consists of Xiamen Island, tiny Gulangyu Island and a stretch of rugged mainland. Most of the city is centred on Xiamen Island.

Learn about the island’s days as a flourishing port at the Huli Shan Fort. The original fortification dates back to the late 19th century and features German-made cannons and a museum displaying Ming and Qing dynasty weapons and uniforms.

Delve further back into the Xiamen’s past at the Nanputuo Temple. This towering Buddhist temple was built in the Tang dynasty (618-906) and features magnificent wooden carvings and statues. Enjoy a meal at the temple’s on-site vegetarian restaurant. Stop by the Xiamen’s Culture and Art Centre, a fascinating cultural complex housed in converted factory warehouses. The centre features a comprehensive library, Science and Technology Hall, Culture Hall and Museum.

Thanks to its great beaches and favourable winds, Xiamen is rapidly developing as China’s premier destination for kite surfers. Haiyuntai Beach is the most popular place to kite surf, and you’ll find numerous clubs, outfitters and schools nearby.

Take the 10-minute ferry ride to the tiny island of Gulangyu to experience the car-free, colonial ambience of Xiamen’s treaty port days. Explore the narrow laneways on foot, admiring the wonderfully preserved colonial mansions and see vendors wheeling produce and seafood in wooden carts.

Xiamen is located on China’s southeast coast. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is a key air hub in eastern China offering direct connections to other major cities in the country and around the world. Downtown Xiamen is just a 10-minute ride from the airport. Xiamen summers are long, warm and humid. Winters are reasonably mild and dry.

Where to stay in Xiamen

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
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Huli District

You might enjoy the gardens while in Huli District. Wuyuanwan Wetland Park is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Andou Station or Banshang Subway Station to see more of the city.

Huli District
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Jimei District

5/5(1 area review)

The gardens and monuments are just a few things visitors like about Jimei District. Jimei Cultural Arts Center and Xiamen Bantou Forest Park are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Jimei Software Park Station or Jimei Boulevard Station to get around the larger area.

Jimei District
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Haicang

4/5(1 area review)

The museums and monuments are just a few things visitors like about Haicang. Xiamen Tianzhu Mountain Tourism Scenic Spot and Riyuegu Aquatic Park are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Xinyang Avenue Station or Dongyao Station to get around the larger area.

Haicang
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Tong'an District

You'll enjoy the mountain views and museums in Tong'an District. You might want to make time for a stop at TongAn ZhanTing or Wild Valley Eco-Eden.

Tong'an District
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Xiang'an District

While you're in Xiang'an District, take in top sights like Xiamen Lvtang Xiangshan Mountain and jump on the metro at Xiang'an Station to see more of the city.

Xiang'an 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 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$74
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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
Fully refundable
The price is S$124 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
S$124
per night
27 Apr - 28 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! (339 reviews)
"The room is very comfortable especially the bed and blanket. The hotel location is good. It is between the metro station and Zhongshan Street. Heping Wharf is only 400m from hotel. The gym is very big. The only thing that need to improve is the buffet lunch quality. They have many many variety of ..."

Reviewed on 11 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 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$121
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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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