What to do and see in Xiamen, China: The Best Places and Tips

March 23, 2018 Lashaunda Abraham

The livable, lovable city of Xiamen teems with university students buzzing amid Buddhist temples, art galleries and beautiful parks. The city is actually comprised of islands; one of which, Gulangyu, is a peaceful bohemian oasis that's completely vehicle-free. Nibble on some glass noodles or juicy dumplings while perusing shops stuffed with antiques, delicate beads or ceramics.
Restaurants in Xiamen

1. Kulangsu Huandao Road

Siming District, Xiamen 361000, China
Excellent
61%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 274 reviews

Kulangsu Huandao Road

Reviewed By nellielim - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This coastal road starts from Xiamen University to Wuyuan Bay.With a great view of the sea and of Gulangyu Island, this is a popular stretch for biking, strolling, playing beach volleyball or just enjoying the sea breeze. There are bars and pavilions along this stretch.

No.1888 Fulian Road, Dongfu Town, Haicang District, Xiamen 361027, China
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 174 reviews

Xiamen Riyuegu Hot Spring Resort CommunitiesXiamen Tourism BureauCollection of the Most Popular Scenic Spots in and around Xiamen

Reviewed By toby M - Shanghai, China

First of all lets clear one thing up: This place is not called the Riyuegu Aquatic Park. I don't know how Trip Advisor could get this wrong. It's the Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort. You can go to riyuegu.com to see for yourself. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page.
This review is for someone who is already familiar with the pitfalls of Chinese culture. If you aren't used to rowdy kids who yell all the time, men smoking every chance they get, and men and women constantly spitting, I would say you might not enjoy this spa as much as I did -- because all of the above happen all the time pretty much everywhere in China, and a hot Springs resort here or anywhere is no different.
Ok the resort itself is fairly expensive unless you are ok with attending the resort when its 40 degrees outside in the heat of the summer. That time of year they are begging people to attend. But this time of year, its much different.
Likes: The spa itself is very creative in both its design and ergonomic flow compared to many of the hot Springs I have been too (mostly in the US where I am from). 25 or so recipes make up the various pools. Everything from coffee to beer is presented here. There are free tea stations everywhere and it's bottomless. Not once was a tea station out of tea. And your choices included black, green, ginger and just hot water. Two huge pools are also present (but are mostly empty this time of year); so if you like to swim now is a perfect time to attend. Unlike most Chinese spas, this one is entirely co-ed. So bring your own swimsuit. The lockers are well appointed with electronic locks on a wristband they give you. (This wrist band also acts as your tally. You can order food with it, do a spa package -- an just settle up at the end of the day. Towels are plush and comfortable and renting a robe is only 10rmb. There are also free hot stone beds and even a sand therapy station for a 15rmb fee (both can be used for an unlimited amount of time).
Dislikes: 1) The sauna is way too cold to be a sauna.The Chinese don't get behind saunas like what most Eastern Europeans do -- so if you're looking for a great sauna or steam room -- this isn't your place. 2) Very few cold water pools or shower nozzles. If you are someone who enjoys the 'therapy' of hot Springs then you will likely be like me in that you enjoy a nice cool down everytime your body temperature raises beyond comfortable levels beyond a period of time. Well as far as I could tell there were only 2 places one could get cold water. One is a cold water pool near the tea pools, and the other was a chill room near the saunas. A top notch hot Springs will have shower nozzles everywhere to let interested people cool down rapidly. 3) With as many pools as they have it sure would be nice if they would designate certain areas to be off limits to children. Perhaps the ones that promote alcohol for starters. 4) Smoking is huuuuge problem when you can smoke just about anywhere in a place where you go to relax and take in a relaxed and non-polluted atmosphere. 5) Restaurant is deplorable for it being a part of a 5 star hotel -- and also expensive. Bring lots of food with and hope it will be enough.
Xiamen as a whole is a developing city with not a ton to do. The Hot Springs is an absolute must for any traveler to this area.

No.25 Huyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, China +86 592 203 8471
Excellent
51%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 209 reviews

Xiamen Botanical GardenXiamen Tourism BureauCollection of the Most Popular Scenic Spots in and around Xiamen

Reviewed By JO A

As I mentioned at the title, you can enjoy the beauty of nature at Botanical Garden, Xiamen. It is definitely worth visiting, enjoying nice weather and stunning views!
While you visit Xiamen Botenical Garden, also wanna recommend to take a walk 铁路文化公园 located next to the garden.

4. Huaijiu Gulangyu Museum

No.38 Huangyan Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361002, China
Excellent
54%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 262 reviews

Huaijiu Gulangyu Museum

Reviewed By Instantcalmer - Ko Samui, Thailand

A piano museum!! Well 2 actually. Fascinating, different and historical. Add that to the the beautiful Gardens right next to the ocean, the views from the hilly parts and you have a superb package.
They play music at regular intervals, piano music of course. Not Kenny G!
If you go to the island of Gulangyu make sure you pay a visit.

No.515 Siming South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, China +86 592 208 8554
Excellent
42%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 680 reviews

Nanputuo TempleXiamen Tourism BureauCollection of the Most Popular Scenic Spots in and around Xiamen

Reviewed By LG_Kay - Singapore, Singapore

The temple complex is rather huge, with four main buildings, halls and pavilions. The many rooms flanking the main buildings include dormitories, Libraries and study rooms for monks. It is crowded with locals, offering incense and prayers. Unless one is into Buddhism, 30 mins is sufficient to stroll round the complex. Entrance is free, which is rare in China.
Behind the temple are steps leading to the top. Steps are rather steep at some points. I only climbed about midway where there is a temple and a viewing platform. Due to time constraint, I decided not to climb all the way up.
For transport, the closest bus stop is Xiada Xicun Bus Stop (厦大西村), with bus no. 2, 20, 29, 47, 48. It is about 200m to the temple. After alighting at this stop, walk to South Siming Road and turn right to find the temple.
Recommend to visit this temple and Huli Mountain Fort for a half day trip.

South of Gulangyu Island, Siming District, Xiamen 361001, China
Excellent
41%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 233 reviews

Xiamen Shuzhuang GardenXiamen Tourism BureauCollection of the Most Popular Scenic Spots in and around Xiamen

Reviewed By 3lgdz - Manila, Philippines

There's a Piano Museum inside the garden for those interested in old vintage pianos.
The garden itself is small and pretty, especially since it's near the sea with a view of a nearby beach, but there are a lot of people walking alongside you as well, which can distract from the charm of the garden. However, it's still a top place to visit when you're at Gulang Yu Islet.

7. Xiamen Piano Museum

No.7 Ganghou Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361002, China +86 592 206 0238
Excellent
42%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 307 reviews

Xiamen Piano Museum

Reviewed By LG_Kay - Singapore, Singapore

Located inside Shuzhuang Garden, it consists of two buildings displaying vintage pianos from all over the world. Even though I didn’t understand much about piano, it is worthwhile to drop by and view these well maintained collection of pianos. 15 to 20 mins is sufficient to briefly have a glimpse of them.

8. Xiamen University

No.422 Siming South Road, Siming District, Xiamen, China +86 592 218 0000
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Xiamen University

Reviewed By Agnes_Tan12 - Singapore, Singapore

First time to visit a university as a sight seeing place. The university has unique architecture and nice. No entrance fee is needed. Inside, there are stations manned by students who provided a map of the place and they can guide you in directions. It's best to go on weekends where there are no time restrictions. In the middle of school there is a pond which is very nice. Nearby there is fu rong tunnel where students draw on Wall. That is very nice. Inside tunnel there is cafe where you can take a break too.

No.6 Lujiao Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361002, China
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Gulangyu IslandXiamen Tourism BureauCollection of the Most Popular Scenic Spots in and around Xiamen

Reviewed By xmroots - Xiamen, China

Gulangyu used to be a lovely place to visit and enjoy a day strolling around it’s charming streets, buildings and Beaches.
It is now the Xiamen equivalent of Blackpool complete with Kiss me Quick hats and ridiculously expensive restaurants and shops all wishing to sell you the same over-hyped and over-priced food and drink. Even when the local government has imposed daily visitor quotas there are still far, far, far, far too many people allowed on the island at any one time and all in the name of pure capitalism.
Lovely place, incredible architecture. Totally spoilt.

No.62 Huangyan Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361002, China +86 592 206 7284
Excellent
35%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 219 reviews

Riguang MountainXiamen Tourism BureauCollection of the Most Popular Scenic Spots in and around Xiamen

Reviewed By LG_Kay - Singapore, Singapore

Sunlight Rock is the most famous scenic spot in Gulangyu and is the highest point of the island. Hence, hordes of tour groups would head to this attraction. Entrance fee is 60 rmb. I bought the combo ticket (100 rmb), which can be used there.
After the entrance is the Sunlight Rock Temple, with some pavilions, nothing spectacular. The highlight is climbing to the top of the mountain, not too strenuous though certain sections of the stairs are rather narrow. Initially the path up was wide, with 2 sets of stairs, one for ascending and one for descending. It can bring me to the viewing platform close to the summit. However the last leg is terrible in design, only a narrow flight of steps to the summit, to be shared for ascending and descending visitors. As I visited during off peak season, the queue was ok. I can't Imagine the chaos during peak season. Hence I recommend to stop at the viewing platform just below the summit. I don’t think the view is much different for the 20+ steps at the summit.

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