Xiamen, China: What to See + Do

On the southeast coast of China is a attractive beach city called Xiamen. Here you will find fresh seafood, orange sunsets and an exciting nightlife. Since most of the inhabitants and visitors are Chinese and do not speak English, getting around Xiamen can be challenging. Since a majority of my time was spent at Gulangyu Island, I will put together my top picks of what to see and do to help you out. But first a little background….

Gulangyu Island is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The entire island is pedestrian-only which means there are no cars or taxis. Everything on the island is walking distance and has an almost-village feel. There is plenty to see and do. Here are my top picks.

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WHAT TO DO

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clouds above xiamen viewing platform

On the 58th floor of the Skyscraper Center is the opportunity to walk along the side of the building and have sweeping views overlooking both the ocean and the city. You will, however, have to take a walk on the wild side and summon your courage since it is pretty high up. What I can promise you is that you won’t regret doing it!

OPENING HOURS: 9:00AM - 10:00PM

COST: ¥100 if purchased online

enjoy a seafood buffet

If you’re seafood lover like me, then you’ll want to pay a visit to Pier 38. The restaurant offers a variety of seafood from fresh crab legs to mussels and sushi. If you love buffets but aren’t a fan of seafood, then don’t fret since there are many different options. You can also find delicious Chinese BBQ and French desserts. In addition, since the restaurant is located on the 38th floor, you can ask to be seated next to a window to enjoy ocean views while eating.

ADDRESS: No. 186, Yanwuxi Road, Siming District | 38/F, Conrad Xiamen

watch the sunset

Wherever there’s a beach, there’s a sunset. The beautiful orange sunset at Gulangyu Island is quite stunning. You can sit on the large rocks and admire the little lighthouse and watch as the sun slowly goes down. If the tide is high, you will know because the rocks featured in this picture will not be within sight. If you do find that the tide is high, I recommend staying at shore because some of the rocks can be sharp. If the tide isn’t high, then enjoy!

feed the birds at south putuo temple

Alright, so obviously there’s much more than bird feeding to do since this is a famous Buddhist temple. The architecture is stunning and the environment is peaceful and beautiful. However, feeding the birds is what made the experience even more special for me. This is something I used to do as a little girl and was happy to be able to do once again.

enjoy coffee with a view

Located on the beach is Wanhaiyuan Hotel & Coffee Shop where you can get a decent cup of coffee near the water. You won’t miss this coffee shop since it’s the only one located directly on the beach. The waiters speak very little English so make sure to have the translator on your phone prepared.

ADDRESS: Seascape Hut, Gulangyu, Siming District

visit sunlight rock

Known as the top tourist attraction in Gulangyu, the Sunlight Rock Scenic Area offers sweeping views of the island’s landscape and downtown Xiamen. On a clear day, you can even get a peek at Taiwan’s Jinmen Island. Climbing up the summit takes about 20-40 minutes with the hike not being too steep. Naturally, since it is a top tourist spot it will be crowded, however, the views from the top are worth it in my opinion. If it’s a hot day, make sure to grab a bottle of water from one of the vendors on your way up.

shuzhuang garden

This beautiful seaside garden was definitely one of my favorite spots in Gulangyu. The garden itself had Japanese influence with its crossing bridges and flowers. There was also spectacular rock formations to see and lovely views of the sea to enjoy.

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These are only a few of the highlights of my trip that I recommend for you. Some honorable mentions include learning about piano history at the Xiamen Piano Museum, as well as shopping at dining at Longtou Road. I hope you’ve found this information helpful. Thank you for reading!