Xiamen 3-Day Itinerary: What to See, Do & Eat (2026)
Xiamen is one of China's most relaxed cities to explore: compact, walkable, warm most of the year, and ringed by sea. Three days is enough to cover the island's highlights, the south-coast temples and beaches, and the historic campus district across the water in Jimei. This plan keeps each day in one area so you spend less time in transit and more time on foot. For background on the city, see our Xiamen destination guide.
Gulangyu's red-tiled villas with the Xiamen skyline across the water
Day 1: Gulangyu Island and Zhongshan Road
Start with Gulangyu Island, the car-free, UNESCO-listed islet a short ferry ride offshore. Book the ferry online in advance, especially in summer. Spend the morning and early afternoon wandering its lanes of 1900s colonial villas, climbing Sunlight Rock for the view, and visiting Shuzhuang Garden by the sea. Back on the main island in the evening, walk Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street for arcade architecture and a street-food dinner of oyster omelette and peanut soup.
Day 2: South coast temples, campus and beaches
Begin at Nanputuo Temple, a thousand-year-old Buddhist complex set against a hillside. Next door is Xiamen University, widely called one of China's prettiest campuses; bring your passport, as entry is by registration. Walk south to Hulishan Fortress to see its 19th-century coastal artillery, then follow the seafront Huandao Road. End the day eating your way through Zengcuo'an Village, a former fishing village packed with snack stalls and murals.
Xiamen skyline at sunset seen from the water
Day 3: Botanical garden and Jimei
Go early to Xiamen Botanical Garden on Wanshi Mountain, when mist still hangs over the Rainforest World walkways and the cactus slope is quiet. After lunch, take Metro Line 1 across to Jimei School Village, the philanthropist Tan Kah Kee's town of Jiageng-style schools around Longzhou Pool. Late afternoon light over the orange roofs is the perfect way to finish.
What to eat
Xiamen food is its own reward. Hunt down oyster omelette, satay noodles (sha cha mian), peanut soup, and tu sun dong (sandworm jelly, braver than it sounds). Markets and the lanes of Zengcuo'an are the best hunting grounds.
A street stall wok of stir-fried Xiamen-style noodles
Getting around
Xiamen's Metro Line 1 links the island to Jimei, buses cover the coast, and ferries reach Gulangyu. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay for tickets, ferries and food, and carry a power bank for all the QR scanning.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is three days enough for Xiamen? Yes. Three days comfortably covers Gulangyu, the south coast, and Jimei without rushing. Add a fourth day if you want a slower pace or a beach day.
Do I need to book the Gulangyu ferry in advance? Yes, especially in summer and on holidays. Tickets sell out and are tied to specific departure times.
What is the best time to visit Xiamen? Autumn (October–December) is warm, dry and comfortable. Summer is hot and brings the chance of typhoons; spring can be rainy.
How do I get from Xiamen island to Jimei? Metro Line 1 runs directly to Jimei School Village Station in about 30–40 minutes from the island.
