Xiamen First Visit Highlights
A full day on Gulangyu, plus the Zhongshan Road Old Town, Xiamen University, Nanputuo Temple and the Huandao Road coastline, covering Xiamen's must-see spots.
The standard first-time route for Xiamen: on day one, after arriving in the afternoon, explore Shapowei and Zhongshan Road, then watch the night views along Lujiang Road in the evening. Day two is a full day on Gulangyu. Day three covers Nanputuo Temple and Xiamen University in the morning, then a stretch of Huandao Road along Baicheng Beach before you leave. Stay on or near Zhongshan Road for all three nights, closest to the ferry pier. Jimei, the botanical garden and the surrounding ancient towns are saved for another visit.
Summers are hot and typhoons are possible. Book Gulangyu ferry tickets and Xiamen University visits in advance during holidays.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and Old Town Nightscape
Xiamen（Shapowei、Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street、Lujiang Road Waterfront）
Take a taxi or the metro from the airport to Zhongshan Road, about 30 minutes. In the afternoon, take a taxi to Shapowei, then walk back to Zhongshan Road and Lujiang Road in the evening.
Buy Gulangyu ferry tickets in advance through the official Xiamen ferry channels.
Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road
Day 2 · A Full Day Wandering Gulangyu
Xiamen（Gulangyu Island、Longtou Road、Sunlight Rock、Shuzhuang Garden、Haoyue Park）
Take a ferry from Dongdu Cruise Terminal or the Xiamen-Gulangyu Ferry Pier to Sanqiutian or Neicuo'ao, about 20 minutes. Walk around the island the whole day.
Take an early ferry and visit Sunlight Rock first to avoid the afternoon crowds.
Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road
Day 3 · Nanputuo, Xiamen University and the Coast
Xiamen（South Putuo Temple、Xiamen University、Baicheng Beach、Island Ring Road）
Take a bus or taxi to Nanputuo Temple, about 15 minutes. Walk into Xiamen University, then walk to Baicheng Beach. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the airport, about 40 minutes.
Book a time slot to enter Xiamen University in advance through official channels.