Travel Guide

The Xiamen Organ Museum (Bagua Tower) is located on the picturesque Gulangyu Island, situated within the famous Bagua Tower. The Bagua Tower was originally Lin Erjia's private villa, built in 1907, and is one of Gulangyu Island's iconic buildings. This museum is China's only organ museum, housing various precious pipe organs, accordions, and other instruments, showcasing the development history of world organ art. Gulangyu Island is renowned as the "Island of Pianos" and "Island of Music," and the Organ Museum is an important part of this reputation. Visitors can appreciate exquisite architectural art and the unique charm of musical instruments here.

Xiamen University, abbreviated as XMU, was founded in 1921 by the renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Tan Kah Kee. It is the first university in modern Chinese educational history to be founded by an overseas Chinese, and also one of the earliest universities in China. The university is nestled between mountains and the sea, boasting beautiful scenery, and is known as 'one of the most beautiful universities in China'. As a key university under the national 'Project 211' and 'Project 985', and a 'Double First-Class' university, XMU holds advantages in various fields such as mathematics, chemistry, oceanography, economics, management, and law. The campus features famous attractions like Furong Lake, Furong Tunnel, and Lover's Valley, attracting numerous visitors.

Xiamen Botanical Garden, also known as Wanshi Botanical Garden, was founded in 1960 and is located in Siming District, Xiamen Island, covering an area of 493 hectares. The garden preserves over 9,000 species of living plants and is China's largest succulent plant exhibition area. It has been rated as a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. Deng Xiaoping planted a camphor tree here in 1984.

Huandao Road is a circular urban main road on Xiamen Island, Xiamen City, with a total length of 43 kilometers, passing through Siming District and Huli District. The road was built in 1991 and has become one of Xiamen's famous tourist attractions due to its unique coastal scenery. The 13-kilometer section of Huandao Road from Xiamen University Baicheng to Xiangshan is known as "East Ring Sea View," with beautiful scenery along the way, where you can see islands such as Lieyu and Dadang, as well as the "One Country, Two Systems" slogan sign.

Haoyue Park is located on the Fudingyan coastline in the eastern part of Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, facing Xiamen Island across the sea. It is a garden built to commemorate Zheng Chenggong. The most famous feature in the park is the giant stone statue of Zheng Chenggong, which is 15.7 meters high and weighs over 1600 tons, standing majestically on Fudingyan Rock. The park also houses the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, which displays Zheng Chenggong's life and deeds through artifacts, pictures, and other materials. Haoyue Park integrates natural landscapes, cultural attractions, and the commemoration of a heroic figure, making it an important attraction for visitors to learn about Zheng Chenggong and enjoy the coastal scenery.

Nanputuo Temple is a famous Buddhist temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty. It is located in the southeastern part of Xiamen Island, adjacent to Xiamen University, backed by Wulao Peak, and facing the blue sea. The temple is surrounded by many deep caves and lush green forests. It gets its name from being located south of Mount Putuo in Zhejiang (a sacred Buddhist site and the bodhimanda of Guanyin). The temple was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty and expanded during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty with donations from General Shi Lang, dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. The temple houses the Minnan Buddhist Academy, which is one of China's important bases for Buddhist education.

Xiamen Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street is Xiamen's oldest commercial street, retaining a relatively complete modern historical appearance. It is one of the commercial centers in Xiamen and even the whole country. The architectural style along the street is unique, with numerous arcade buildings (qilou), blending Nanyang (Southeast Asian) charm with Southern Fujian characteristics. The street is home to numerous shops and a plethora of snacks, making it an excellent destination for shopping, dining, and experiencing historical culture. The pedestrian street leads directly to the sea, and at night, it's brightly lit, offering a unique charm.

Dadegu Beach, located in the Gulangyu Scenic Area of Xiamen, is a beautiful bathing beach that attracts tourists with its fine sand and clear waters. It is an ideal place to enjoy the sun, sand, and waves, and also a great destination for family outings.

Shuzhuang Garden is located on the southern part of Gulangyu Island, facing the sea. It is a private garden on Gulangyu and a national key cultural relic protection unit. The garden was built in 1913 by its owner Lin Erjia. The garden utilizes natural terrain, integrating garden art with natural landscapes, featuring the unique scenery of 'hiding the sea'. Major attractions within the garden include Meishou Hall, Renqiu Pavilion, Zhenshuai Pavilion, Forty-Four Bridges, Zhaoliang Pavilion, Twelve Caves, Tingtao Xuan, etc. It also houses a piano museum, displaying a wide variety of pianos, making it an excellent place to learn about the history and culture of pianos.

Jimei Dragon Boat Pool is a famous scenic spot in Jimei District, Xiamen City, known for its unique water-based dragon boat culture and beautiful garden scenery. The Dragon Boat Pool is an important part of Jimei School Village, personally planned and constructed by the famous patriotic overseas Chinese Mr. Tan Kah Kee in 1950. The Chinese-style architectural complex along the pool, including Jimei Middle School, Jimei University, Aoyuan Garden, and Kah Kee Park, reflects on the water surface, forming a unique picturesque scene. Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, grand dragon boat races are held here, attracting numerous tourists and citizens to watch.

Jimei School Village is located in Jimei District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province. It was founded in 1913 by the famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Tan Kah Kee, and encompasses a complete educational system from kindergarten to university. It is not only a collection of educational institutions but also a scenic tourist area, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles, making it unique. Within the school village, there are higher education institutions such as Jimei University and Huaqiao University, as well as famous attractions like Dragon Boat Pool, Tan Kah Kee Park, and Gui Lai Tang. It serves as an important window to understand Mr. Tan Kah Kee's educational philosophy and patriotic spirit.

Shili Long Embankment is located in Jimei District, Xiamen, and is a scenic spot on the south side of Xiamen Bridge. It is known for its beautiful coastline and long embankment, making it a great place for sea viewing, walking, and leisure. Here, you can enjoy the magnificent views of Xiamen Bridge, feel the sea breeze, and it is especially suitable for watching the sunset in the evening. There are also facilities such as campsites and fishing areas nearby, making it an ideal place for local residents and tourists to relax and unwind.

Furong Tunnel is located within Xiamen University and is one of China's most artistic tunnels, as well as a major attraction of Xiamen University. The inner walls of the tunnel are covered with students' graffiti artworks, which are colorful, full of youthful vibrancy, and artistic creativity. These diverse graffiti works include cartoon characters, celebrity portraits, campus life scenes, inspirational quotes, and more, attracting numerous tourists and students to visit and take photos. The tunnel is approximately 1 kilometer long, connecting the main campus of Xiamen University with Furong Restaurant. It serves as a primary passage for Xiamen University students in their daily lives and has become a vibrant highlight of campus culture.

The Former Residence of Chen Jiageng is located at No. 149 Jiageng Road, Jimei District, Xiamen City. It is the former residence of the patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Chen Jiageng, comprising the residence itself, Guilai Hall, and Jiageng Park. The residence is a two-story building that blends Southern Fujian architectural style with Nanyang (Southeast Asian) charm, showcasing Mr. Chen Jiageng's life story, office supplies, and daily living scenes. Guilai Hall was built to commemorate Mr. Chen Jiageng, and its interior displays a large collection of precious cultural relics and photographic materials. Jiageng Park, named after Mr. Chen Jiageng, features beautiful scenery and is an important part of Jimei University Town.

Shapowei is a historical and cultural district in Xiamen, located in Siming District, Xiamen City. It is the birthplace of Xiamen Port, carrying the memories of Xiamen's old fishing harbor. It was once a typhoon shelter, a place where fishing boats docked and fishermen lived. Now, it has developed into a distinctive district integrating art, cultural and creative industries, gourmet food, and leisure. Shapowei attracts numerous tourists and local residents with its unique fishing port charm, vintage buildings, creative graffiti, and a wide array of shops.

Hongshan Temple is located on Siming South Road in Xiamen City. It is one of the famous thousand-year-old temples along China's southeastern coast. Nestled between mountains and sea, it boasts beautiful scenery and is a prime example of the integration of Buddhist culture and natural landscapes. The temple has a long history and thriving incense offerings, serving as an important local Buddhist activity center and tourist attraction.

Sunlight Rock is the highest peak on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, with an elevation of 92.7 meters. It is formed by two huge rocks leaning against each other, one vertical and one horizontal, commonly known as 'Dragon Head Mountain', and is a landmark attraction of Gulangyu Island. Climbing Sunlight Rock offers panoramic views of Gulangyu Island and parts of Xiamen city, making it an excellent spot for watching sunrise and sunset. At the top of the rock is the 'Huangyan' boulder, surrounded by historical relics and natural scenery such as cliff carvings, ancient summer retreat caves, and the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Museum.

Huihe Stone Culture Park is a garden-style scenic area in Xiamen with a stone culture theme, showcasing traditional Chinese stone carving art and the essence of stone culture. It is a national-level tourist attraction.

Tan Kah Kee Park is located at No. 24 Aoyuan Road, Jimei District, Xiamen City. It is a park built to commemorate the patriotic overseas Chinese Mr. Tan Kah Kee. The park boasts a beautiful environment, is an important part of Jimei School Village, and is also a great place for leisure and sightseeing. The park includes attractions such as Aoyuan (Turtle Garden) and the Tan Kah Kee Memorial Museum.

Huang Rongyuan Hall (also known as China Record Museum) is located on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen City, Fujian Province. It is an old villa built in the 1920s, originally owned by overseas Chinese Huang Rongyuan. The architecture blends Chinese and Western styles, making it one of Gulangyu Island's unique historical buildings. In 2019, the China Record Museum officially settled in Huang Rongyuan Hall, becoming a professional music museum integrating collection, exhibition, research, education, and exchange, showcasing the development history and rich achievements of China's record industry.

GuanYinShan Beach is located at No. 17 Huandao East Road Commercial Street, Siming District, Xiamen City. It is a beautiful beach attraction. The sand here is fine, and the water is clear, making it a great place to enjoy the sea and waves, relax, and take a stroll. The surrounding facilities are complete, with a commercial street offering dining and entertainment services.

The Eighth Market, also known as 'Bashi', is a historic local farmers' market in Xiamen, full of the authentic charm of old Xiamen life. Here you'll find not only the freshest seafood but also a variety of authentic snacks, fruits, vegetables, dried goods, and daily necessities, making it an excellent place to experience Xiamen's local culture and taste its traditional cuisine. The market boasts a wide array of seafood at affordable prices, making it a paradise for seafood lovers. Additionally, there are many time-honored snack shops nearby, offering delicacies like fried kway and satay noodles, which are definitely worth trying.

The Xiamen Botanical Garden - Succulent Plant Area is located within the Xiamen Botanical Garden and is China's largest succulent plant exhibition area. It gathers succulent plants from all over the world, with a wide variety of species and diverse forms, offering visitors a window to understand and appreciate the unique charm of psammophytes.

Longtou Road Commercial Street is the most bustling commercial street on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, gathering numerous specialty snacks, souvenir shops, and artistic stores. It is a must-visit for tourists to experience Gulangyu's charm, taste local delicacies, and buy souvenirs.

Gulangyu Neicuo'ao Wharf is one of the main tourist passenger wharves for visiting Gulangyu Island, offering tourist passenger routes from Xiamen First Wharf, Xiamen Cruise Center Xiagu Wharf, and Haicang Songgu Wharf to Gulangyu Neicuo'ao Wharf. Tourists can take a ferry here to the beautiful Gulangyu Island and experience its unique charm and natural scenery.

Aoyuan Garden is located within Jimei Seaview Jia Geng Park, at the southeast corner of Jimei School Village in Xiamen. It was personally designed and supervised by Mr. Chen Jiageng, a renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader, and is also the place he chose to rest in peace. Aoyuan Garden consists of a porch, the Jimei Liberation Monument, and Mr. Chen Jiageng's mausoleum. The architecture within the garden blends Chinese and Western styles, featuring red walls, green tiles, and upturned eaves, all characteristic of Southern Fujian. The exquisite reliefs and stone carvings in the garden further showcase the charm of Southern Fujian's traditional culture. Aoyuan Garden is not only an important place to commemorate Mr. Chen Jiageng but also a tourist destination integrating gardens, sculptures, and historical culture.

Zengcuo'an, originally a coastal fishing village, has now developed into a popular artistic fishing village and cultural and creative block in Xiamen. It retains unique Minnan architecture and fishing village charm, while also gathering various snacks, specialty shops, guesthouses, and cafes, making it an excellent place to experience Xiamen's slow-paced life and cultural creativity.

Shapowei Art Zone West is located in Siming District, Xiamen City. It is a famous cultural and creative art district in Xiamen. It retains the old Xiamen fishing port charm while incorporating modern art and fashion elements. It gathers numerous independent designer stores, cafes, handicraft workshops, and art exhibition spaces, making it a creative area where young people and art lovers gather.

Hulishan Fortress is located on the southeastern cape of Xiamen Island and is a national key cultural heritage site. It was built in the 20th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1894) during the Qing Dynasty, serving as a vital stronghold for Xiamen's coastal defense. The fortress blends the architectural styles of European semi-bunker fortifications and China's Ming and Qing dynasty coastal defense systems, housing the world's largest existing coastal cannon – a German Krupp cannon. It is not only a historical site but also an excellent spot for enjoying sea views.

Gangzaihou Beach is located on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen City, Fujian Province. It is a scenic coastal bathing beach with fine sand and clear water, making it an excellent spot for tourists to relax, vacation, swim, and play. With well-developed surrounding facilities and convenient transportation, it is an important attraction on Gulangyu Island.

The Gulangyu History and Culture Exhibition Hall is located within the Gulangyu Scenic Spot in Xiamen City, and is a specialized museum showcasing Gulangyu's profound historical and cultural heritage.

Xiamen Wuyuanwan Wetland Park is the only wetland ecological park in Xiamen city, boasting rich natural ecological resources. The park features lush vegetation and a well-developed water system, serving as an important stopover and habitat for migratory birds. Facilities include wooden boardwalks, bird-watching platforms, and a maze, making it an ideal place for citizens to relax, sightsee, and get close to nature.

Huaxin Road is located in Siming District, Xiamen City, and is a road rich in unique characteristics and historical heritage. It was once a gathering place for Xiamen's literati and gentry, and still preserves many uniquely styled villas and old Western-style houses, earning it the reputation of 'Xiamen's most beautiful old street'. The street is lined with lush trees and blooming flowers, creating a quiet and artistic atmosphere, attracting numerous tourists to visit, take photos, explore shops, and experience a slow-paced life.

The Gulangyu International Carving Art Museum is located on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen. It is the first international carving art museum in China, collecting and displaying carving art works from all over the world. It is a cultural venue for understanding carving art and experiencing the combination of tradition and modernity. The museum is situated on Ganghou Road, Gulangyu, adjacent to the famous Shuzhuang Garden, boasting a beautiful environment and a rich artistic atmosphere.

Meihua Beach is located at the southwest corner of Gulangyu Scenic Spot in Xiamen, at No. 35-6 Huangyan Road. It is a beautiful seaside beach offering leisure and sightseeing services. The beach is open 24 hours a day and has a rating of 4.8 stars.

Rainforest World, located within Xiamen Botanical Garden, is an attraction that simulates a tropical rainforest ecosystem, known for its unique plant landscape and humid air. It gathers various tropical rainforest plants, such as tall trees, climbing vines, epiphytic orchids, and ferns, creating a mysterious and vibrant atmosphere. Visitors can experience the charm of nature here, learn about rainforest ecology, making it a great place for leisure sightseeing and popular science education.

Huangcuo Beach is located in Siming District, Xiamen City. It boasts fine sand and clear waters, making it an ideal place to watch the sunrise, enjoy the sea breeze, and take a stroll. With its open views, one can gaze across to Kinmen Island, making it one of the important attractions along Xiamen's Huandao Road (Island Ring Road).

Xiamen Museum, also known as Xiamen Cultural and Art Center Museum, is a comprehensive local history museum located at No. 95 Tiyu Road, Siming District, Xiamen City. The museum features permanent exhibitions such as "Xiamen History Exhibition" and "Exhibition of Museum Collection Highlights," showcasing Xiamen's historical changes, local customs, and unique marine culture from ancient times to the modern era through rich artifacts, pictures, and multimedia.

Fanpo Building, located on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, is an old red-brick villa that blends Nanyang style with traditional Chinese elements. It attracts tourists with its unique architectural features and rich historical stories, and is one of the representative characteristic buildings on Gulangyu Island.

Xiamen Railway Culture Park, located in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, is a linear park transformed from an abandoned railway. This railway was part of the Yingxia Railway, which once connected Xiamen Island to the mainland. The park opened in 2010, with a total length of about 4.5 kilometers, preserving some old tracks, tunnels, and industrial relics, making it a great place for citizens to relax, stroll, and experience historical culture. The park is shaded by trees, with beautiful scenery, where one can see the integration of old railway features and modern cityscapes.

Xiamen Gulf Park is located in Siming District, Xiamen City. It is a comprehensive coastal park integrating leisure, entertainment, and fitness. The park features wide lawns, walking paths, sculptures, a beach bathing area, and other facilities, making it a great place for citizens and tourists to enjoy the sea and relax. In the evening, the park is an excellent spot to enjoy the sunset and Xiamen's night view.

Baicheng Beach is one of Xiamen's famous beaches, located near Xiamen University. It boasts beautiful coastal scenery and fine sand, making it an excellent spot for tourists to relax, stroll, enjoy the sea, and listen to the waves.

Kulangsu Union Church is located within the Gulangyu Scenic Area in Xiamen, and is a historically significant church. Gulangyu itself is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, famous for its unique international colonial-era architectural style, and is known as the 'Island of Pianos' and 'Island of Music'. Kulangsu Union Church is one of the island's important historical buildings, bearing witness to Gulangyu's multicultural integration during its period as an international settlement.

Yanweishan Ecological Park is located in Siming District, Xiamen City. It is a park that integrates ecological landscapes with recreational functions, providing a place for citizens and tourists to get close to nature and relax.

Bishan Park is located within the Gulangyu Scenic Area in Xiamen, and is a park for tourists to relax and sightsee.

The Opera Museum primarily displays cultural relics and materials related to opera.

A widely popular seafood dish, made with fresh octopus as the main ingredient, cooked by quick blanching. It aims to preserve the octopus's original freshness and tender-crisp texture, usually served with a simple dipping sauce.

Xiamen Pie is a traditional pastry from Xiamen City, Fujian Province, with a history of over a hundred years. It typically uses fillings such as mung bean, pork, or pineapple. Its crust is crispy and flaky, the filling is sweet and fragrant, offering a unique taste. It is a local specialty snack and souvenir in Xiamen.

Xiamen Spring Roll is a specialty snack from Xiamen, Fujian. Unlike common fried spring rolls, it typically refers to a fresh spring roll made by wrapping various stir-fried fillings in a paper-thin 'runbing' wrapper, then rolling it up and eating it. The fillings are rich and diverse, commonly including shredded carrots, shredded cabbage, dried tofu, shredded pork, shrimp, oysters, winter bamboo shoots, etc. It has a light and delicious taste and is rich in nutrients.

Peanut Soup is a traditional Chinese dessert soup, made primarily from peanuts, boiled until it achieves a sweet and smooth texture. It is often enjoyed as a dessert after meals or as a snack.

Hokkien Mee (literally "Fujian noodles") refers to a group of related Southeast Asian dishes originating from the cuisine of Fujian Province, China. Singaporean Hokkien Mee: Consists of egg noodles and rice vermicelli stir-fried with eggs, sliced pork, prawns, and squid. Its key lies in the rich, aromatic broth, simmered for hours from prawns and pork bones. Malaysian Penang Hokkien Mee: Known for its distinctively spicy prawn broth. It primarily consists of rice vermicelli and thicker yellow egg noodles, with a soup base made from prawn heads, prawn shells, and pork ribs. Sliced prawns or shrimp, sliced pork, hard-boiled eggs, and water spinach are also added to the noodle soup.

Zha Wuxiang, also known as Five Spice Roll, is a traditional local snack originating from Fujian Province, China, particularly popular in the Minnan and Chaoshan regions (Chaozhou cuisine). It typically consists of diced pork, water chestnuts, onions, five-spice powder, and other fillings wrapped in bean curd skin, then deep-fried. It has a crispy exterior, tender interior, and a savory flavor.

Oyster Omelette (Minnan: ô-á-chian) is a distinctive snack originating from the Minnan region of China (including Fujian and Chaoshan), renowned for its delicious flavor. It is primarily made by pan-frying a mixture of fresh small Pacific oysters, eggs, and starch (usually sweet potato starch). The addition of starch gives the egg mixture a thicker consistency. Oyster Omelette has a rich texture, with a crispy exterior and a soft, glutinous interior. Due to the influence of Minnan and Chaoshan emigrants, it is also widely popular in Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

A spherical dessert made from glutinous rice flour, typically filled with crushed peanuts and brown sugar. A traditional delicacy in Cebu, Philippines, it can also be steamed.

Shao Rou Zong is a traditional Chinese food primarily made from glutinous rice, wrapped with fillings such as pork, shiitake mushrooms, and chestnuts. It is then steamed or boiled in bamboo or lotus leaves. Its characteristics include soft and fragrant glutinous rice, delicious fillings, and a rich texture.

A type of Chinese dumpling, common in various Chinese cuisines, especially known as 'Bian Shi' in Minnan-speaking regions. It is characterized by thin skin and a small amount of filling, usually square or isosceles trapezoidal in shape. When cooked, the skin becomes transparent and smooth, offering an excellent texture.

Shacha noodles, also known as Satay Noodles, is a popular noodle dish in southern Fujian Province, China. The soup base is made from shacha sauce, served with oil noodles, and topped with ingredients such as bean sprouts and pork liver.

Fish Ball Soup is a soup dish primarily made with fish balls. Fish balls are typically made from fresh fish meat that has been processed and beaten, resulting in a springy texture. The soup base is light, often seasoned with chopped green onions, cilantro, and other ingredients to enhance the flavor. It is a popular home-cooked dish and street food.

Baojiang Tofu is a specialty food from Shaowu, Fujian. "Youjiang Tofu" (Youjiang tofu) is mentioned among Shaowu's specialty foods, and it may be related to Baojiang Tofu.

Tusun Jelly is a traditional specialty snack from Quanzhou, Xiamen, and other areas in Fujian. Its main ingredient is a type of Sipuncula (commonly known as 'tusun' or 'sea worm') that grows in coastal mudflats. The tusun is boiled to extract its gelatinous substance, which then solidifies into a crystal-clear jelly upon cooling, offering a refreshing and chewy texture.

Ginger Duck is a traditional famous dish from Fujian Province, China, especially popular in the Minnan region and Taiwan. It uses Muscovy duck as the main ingredient, paired with a large amount of old ginger, sesame oil, and rice wine, and incorporates various traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Angelica sinensis (danggui), Ligusticum striatum (chuanxiong), and Astragalus propinquus (huangqi), stewed for a long time. This dish is renowned for its nourishing, health-boosting, cold-dispelling, and stomach-warming properties. The duck meat is tender, the broth is rich, and the ginger flavor is mellow, making it a common nourishing soup in autumn and winter.

Mian Xian Hu is a distinctive snack popular in the Southern Fujian region of Fujian, made primarily from vermicelli and starch, usually served with various seafood, meats, offal, and other ingredients.

Tong'an Fengrou is a traditional famous dish from Tong'an District, Xiamen, Fujian. It typically uses pork with skin as the main ingredient and is prepared through a unique cooking process, making it tender, flavorful, and rich without being greasy. Its characteristics include soft and glutinous meat, rich gravy, and an enticing aroma.