Holiday in Xiamen
City in china — tips, highlights & best time to visit
Country
china
Type
City
Best time to travel
October to May (18-28 °C, dry). Spring for flowers. Summer hot and humid with typhoon risk.
Budget/day
50-100 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN, approx. 12-15 h with a stopover in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong). Visa required.
About Xiamen
Xiamen is one of the most charming coastal cities in China — a modern port metropolis on the southeast coast, surprising with its subtropical climate, colonial history, and relaxed atmosphere. The city on the island of the same name combines Chinese tradition with international flair and is considered one of the cleanest and most livable cities in the country. The centerpiece is Gulangyu Island (UNESCO World Heritage), a car-free island off the coast: Here, more than 1,000 historical colonial-style buildings stand — Victorian villas, churches, and consulates from the time when the island was an international settlement. The island is crisscrossed by enchanting alleys, tropical gardens, and the sound of piano music (Gulangyu has the highest piano density in China). Xiamen's old town Zhongshan Lu offers Art Deco arcades, tea houses, and seafood markets. Tea culture here is a way of life: Fujian is the home of Oolong tea, and the traditional Gongfu tea ceremony is celebrated in the city's tea houses. The Nanputuo Temple at the foot of Wulao Mountain is an active Buddhist monastery with panoramic views over the bay.
Top 5 highlights in Xiamen
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Gulangyu Island (UNESCO)
Car-free island with over 1,000 colonial buildings: Victorian villas, piano museum, and enchanting alleys — accessible by ferry.
Nanputuo Temple
Active Buddhist monastery on Wulao Mountain: 1,000 years of history, vegetarian restaurant, and panoramic views over the bay.
Zhongshan Lu Old Town
Art Deco arcades with tea houses, seafood markets, and street food: Xiamen's vibrant shopping street.
Gongfu Tea Ceremony
Experience Fujian's Oolong tea culture up close: traditional ceremony in one of the many tea houses in the city.
Huandao Road (Coastal Promenade)
43 km long coastal road with bike path, beaches, and views of Gulangyu: Xiamen's most beautiful promenade.
Hotels in Xiamen
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Xiamen
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Xiamen
Recommended travel time
October to May (18-28 °C, dry). Spring for flowers. Summer hot and humid with typhoon risk.
Summer
28-35 °C, hot and humid, typhoon season July-September
Winter
12-20 °C, mild and dry, pleasant
How much does a holiday in Xiamen cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
20-40 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
50-100 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
120-300 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Xiamen
Compare thousands of package holidays to Xiamen and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Xiamen
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Apply for a visa in advance — China visa at the embassy or through an agency, approx. €125. 144-hour transit visa possible.
Book Gulangyu ferry early — tickets can be reserved online, especially on weekends they sell out quickly. Ferry from Dongdu Terminal.
Oolong tea as a souvenir — Tieguanyin tea from Anxi (near Xiamen) is world-famous. Try and buy in tea shops.
Set up WeChat Pay — mobile payment is standard in China. Cash is hardly accepted anymore.
Seafood at Zeng Cuo An — artist district with beaches, cafes, and the best seafood restaurants in Xiamen.
Food & drink in Xiamen
These specialties you must try!
