Xiamen Travel Guide

Xiamen Travel Guide

 Foreign cruise tour groups organized by China travel agencies are granted a 15-day visa-free entry from May 15, 2024, which allows the groups to enter through Xiamen and spend 15 days touring 11 coastal areas such as Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Shanghai, and the capital Beijing.

Xiamen Facts

Chinese Name: 厦门市 (shà mén shì)
Population: 4,110,000
Area: Land Area: 157.76 square kilometers (60.91 square miles), Sea Area: 390 square kilometers (151 square miles)
Location: in the southwest of Fujian Province, southeast China
Administrative Division: 6 districts (Siming, Haicang, Huli, Jimei, Tong’an, Xiang’an)
Area Code: 0592
Zip Code: 361000
GDP (2018): CNY 479.14 billion (USD 72.41 billion)

Located at the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a tourist city of Fujian Province famous for its attractive seascape. As one of the major seaports since ancient times, it boasts a wide gulf with deep water but without freezing and silting. The name was consequently given, which means 'the gate of China'. As one of the forerunners of the special economic zones of China, the city mainly consisting of Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Island, the north bank area of the Jiulong River and Tong'an County, is connected with the mainland by the Gaoji Seawall, Xiamen Bridge, etc. The city has been called the Egret Island because of the hundreds of thousands of egrets inhabiting there. This is due to the beautiful natural scenery, the fresh air and the clean environment of the city.

Being of a subtropical monsoon climate with mild weather all year round expect the typhoon months, this city is an ideal tourist destination for you. It is a typical littoral city with abundant tourist attractions such as islands, mountains, temples and parks, etc., providing you with a full sightseeing schedule. The well-known Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple, Baicheng Beach and other areas like Jimei, Hulishan Fortress, Wanshiyan, etc. are highly recommended for a tour. A sea tourist line is also available for you to enjoy the amazing scenery of many beautiful small islands around.

Being the hometown of many overseas Chinese, this city has actually benefited from the contribution of overseas Chinese and its economy has undertaken great advancement. To promote its tourism industry, it has established not only the corresponding infrastructures, but also a great variety of entertainment centers. The folk customs of the minorities, varied local festivals and especially the particular local dishes and snacks are also appealing to visitors. This city, with distinct oriental culture and southern Fujian features, welcomes you from all over the world.

See also: 6 Best Xiamen Beaches

Gulangyu Island, Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
Jimei, Xiamen
Jimei
This city enjoys convenient transportation. You can go there by air, by train, by coach or by sea. The transportation within the city is also satisfying.

Travel Tips

Most tourists consider the accommodation, consisting of many star rated hotels, convenient. Meanwhile there are plenty of special local products to be added to your shopping list, including various kinds of tealeaves, fruits like sugarcanes, olives and longans as well as sea products such as fish, prawns, crabs, abalones and lancelets.

Useful Numbers
Police: 110
Fire: 119
Ambulance: 120
Mayor's Hotline: 968123
Tourist Complaints: 0592-5318985
Taxi Complaints: 0592-5615610
Consumer Complaints: 12315

 
Bank of China on Gulangyu Island
Bank of China on Gulangyu Island
 Credit cards including Master Card, Visa, American Express, JCB, etc. are convenient to use in many appointed hotels, large restaurants or shopping malls, etc. and ATMs are readily available for you to use Chinese cards. You can have currency exchange or withdraw cash from the Bank of China. Following is Bank of China information for your convenience:

 Bank of China
Branch: Mansion of Bank of China, No.40, North Hubin Road
Tel: 0592-5317830
Siming Branch: No.4-10, Zhongshan Road, Siming District
Tel: 0592-2038076
Airport Branch: Inspection Building, Gaoqi International Airport
Tel: 0592-6029270

Post Offices
Zhongshan Road Branch: No.1, Zhongshan Road, Siming District
Airport Branch: Gaoqi International Airport
 
Campus of Xiamen University
Campus of Xiamen University
Hospitals
No.1 Hospital: No.10, Shanggu Street, Siming District
Zhongshan Hospital: No.201-209, South Hubin Road, Siming District

Universities
Xiamen University
Location: No.422, South Siming Road

Jimei University
Location: No.185, Yinjiang Road, Jimei District

Foreign Consulates
Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines
Consular District: Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi
Chancery: No.2 Lingxiang Lane, Lianhua Village
Tel: +86-592-5130355/5130366

Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore
Consular District: Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan
Chancery: Unit 05-07/08, Bank Center, No.189, Xiahe Road
Tel: +86-592-2684691Getting to know more tips for travel in China, please visit China Travel Advice
 

Further Reading

10 Best China Honeymoon Destinations for Couples

Top 10 China Main Cities for Nature Lovers

10 Most Beautiful Cities in China

Gourmet Paradise: 10 Tourist Cities in China for Food Lovers

- Last updated on Jul. 22, 2024 by Serena Zhou -
Questions & Answers on Xiamen Travel
Asked by GAOBEICHEN | Sep. 22, 2024 04:50Reply
What kind of city is Xiamen?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Sep. 23, 2024 01:47
00Reply


Xiamen, the capital of Fujian Province, is a beautiful coastal city with pleasant climate, islands, coast plains.
Asked by Teresita V Mancera from PHILIPPINES | Jun. 19, 2024 00:27Reply
Chinese family name
My ancestor birthplace is Tangua, China. He was a sangley cristiano and his name was Domingo Jaucian. What could possibly be his chinese name?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Jun. 19, 2024 20:16
00Reply


Sorry I can't tell this. But Domingo Jaucian sounds not like a Chinese name. Do you have the Chinese pronunciation of his name?
Asked by Swee from SINGAPORE | Mar. 01, 2024 14:53Reply
Xiamen International Airport transport.
Hi, I'm planning a trip to Xiamen. My flight will land in Xiamen on Sunday at 11.45pm. I'm staying in Siming District.
Will I have problem taking a taxi from the airport to the hotel at that time. Any idea how much the taxi will cost? Thanks. Swee
Answers (1)
Answered by James | Mar. 03, 2024 21:39
00Reply


There is no problem to hail a taxi at that time. And generally it costs about CNY 60-80 at night.
Asked by Prouvost from FRANCE | Feb. 22, 2024 17:23Reply
French temporary passport in Xiamen transit zone
The planned flights *would make me stay for 5 hours in the transit zone, (stretching on two days before and after midnight).
Do we have to show a passport in the transit zone? Is a French temporary passport valid?
Thank you for your answer.

*MF 870 and MF 825
Answers (1)
Answered by Helen | Feb. 22, 2024 17:34
00Reply


As I know, the immigration check has been cancelled for 24-hour visa-free transit passengers. It is okay for you to use a French passport.
Asked by Wil from USA | Jan. 22, 2024 09:31Reply
How many one can use a Visa-Free Transit in a year
Hello,
I was looking into flights that will be have layovers in Xiamen from the US before continuing to Singapore. However, the better round-trip ticket is US-Xiamen-Singapore-Xiamen-US. Most of the options are under 24 hours (one was 26 hours). Since I would be transit through China twice on a single trip, what are the rules on how many times one can use the visa-free transit through China en-route to a third country in calendar year?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jessica | Jan. 22, 2024 17:32
00Reply


Don't worry and there is no limit of the numbers. You can use it as long as your itinerary is eligible.
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