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July 25, 2025
1 views7-Day Solo Food Travel Itinerary in Xiamen
Exploring Coastal Cuisine & Culture on a Mid-Range Budget
Solo TravelFood TravelXiamen7 Days
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 厦门
Location: Fujian Province, Southeast China
Famous For: Gulangyu Island UNESCO Heritage,Coastal Tea Culture,Southern Min Cuisine
Daily Cost: $70-100 USD
Best Season: March - May / September - November
Introduction: Why Visit Xiamen?
Xiamen combines coastal charm with centuries-old maritime history. This port city offers Gulangyu Island, temple-dotted hills, and some of China's finest seafood markets. Perfect for solo travelers seeking cultural depth without overwhelming crowds, Xiamen's walkable neighborhoods and efficient metro system make exploration effortless.
Best Time to Visit Xiamen
Ideal Seasons: Spring (March-May) & Autumn (September-November) offer perfect temperatures 18-25°C
🌱Spring: Mild weather with blooming jacaranda trees. Ideal for Zengcuo'an seafood markets and Huandao Road cycling
☀️Summer: Hot & humid (28-32°C) with afternoon thunderstorms. Great for night markets like Shapowei but avoid midday outdoor activities
🍁Autumn: Cool sea breezes and clear skies. Perfect season for hiking Wuzhi Mountain and attending Mid-Autumn mooncake festivals
❄️Winter: Mild (12-18°C) with occasional drizzle. Budget travelers enjoy off-season hotel deals while exploring indoor attractions like Xiamen Museum
Arriving and Leaving Xiamen
Metro (Lines 1-3 cover major districts), ride-sharing apps (Didi), and bike rentals along Huandao Road. Day passes for e-bikes cost $2 USD from convenience stores
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [Recommended]
12km from city center. 15min taxi ride costing $8-12 USD. Metro Line 3 connects to downtown in 30min. Major international routes from Southeast Asia and North Asia
Where to Stay in Xiamen: Best Neighborhoods
Siming District
City center hub near Baicheng Beach and Xiamen University. Mid-range options include Xiamen Prince Palace Hotel and budget hostels near Zhongshan Road
Huli District
Modern business district with Metro Line 1 access. Mid-range hotels like Xiamen Landwind Hotel offer easy access to airport and train station
Gulangyu Island
Heritage zone with boutique guesthouses like Gulangyu International Youth Hostel. Ferries from Lvtou Passenger Terminal every 20min
Top Things to Do in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial-era architecture, Sunlight Rock viewpoints, and piano museum. Ferry costs $5 USD from downtown
Huandao Road Coastal Drive
10km scenic cycling path connecting Baicheng Beach, Zengcuo'an village, and Hubian Kou'an pier. Bike rentals $1.5 USD/hour
Nanputuo Temple
1300-year-old Buddhist temple with vegetarian restaurant Zhiyin Restaurant. Admission $2 USD includes incense sticks
Tips
Purchase combo tickets for Xiamen Museum, Nanputuo Temple, and Huandao Road attractions at 20% discount
What to Eat in Xiamen
Recommended Restaurants
1. Shuzhuang Garden
Gulangyu Island heritage restaurant serving traditional Minnan dishes. Table for one at $15 USD
2. Lin's Shacha Noodles
Legendary street stall near Zhongshan Road with decades of history. Noodles from $2 USD
3. Baicheng Seafood Garden
Open-air restaurant with harbor views. Live seafood market selection available
Signature Dishes
1. Shacha Noodles
Spicy peanut sauce noodles with pork/seafood, best at Lin's Shacha Noodles since 1980
2. Braised Duck with Taro
Local specialty served at Shuzhuang Garden restaurant. Rich duck confit with sticky taro balls
3. Seafood Steamboats
Fresh catches from Zengcuo'an markets cooked at Baicheng Seafood Garden. Budget $20-30 USD per person
Xiamen Itineraries: 7 Days
DAY 1
🍳Breakfast at Zhongshan Road Noodles:Try local breakfast combo of egg crepes and soy milk
Visit Nanputuo Temple:Explore temple complex and vegetarian restaurant
Walk Xiamen University Walls:Scenic coastal path outside China's most beautiful campus
🍽️Dinner at Baicheng Seafood Garden:Fresh catch of the day cooked to order
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Gulangyu Ferry Terminal:Local dim sum before boarding ferry
Explore Gulangyu Piano Museum:Collection of antique pianos in a historic mansion
🥗Lunch at Shuzhuang Garden:Lunch while enjoying oceanfront pavilions
Climb Sunlight Rock:Panoramic island views from 92-meter summit
Return to City Center:Evening stroll at Zhongshan Road shopping street
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at Hubian Kou'an Noodles:Try local favorite 'Hegu Noodles'
Cycle Huandao Road:Bike rental from Baicheng Beach section
🥗Lunch at Zengcuo'an Seafood Market:Pick and cook fresh seafood at market stalls
Visit Zengcuo'an Village:Artistic re-development of traditional fishing village
🍽️Dinner at Xiao Mai Shuang:Family-run restaurant serving traditional stewed dishes
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at Local Teahouse:Tieguanyin tea tasting before departure
Hike Wuzhi Mountain:Moderate 45-minute ascent to Buddhist cliff carvings
🥗Lunch at Mountain Temple Cafe:Vegetarian buffet featuring Buddhist cuisine
Visit Xiamen Botanical Gardens:Explore tropical plant collections and waterfall
🍽️Dinner at Huli Halal Restaurant:Muslim-inspired dishes unique to Xiamen's ethnic communities
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at Shapowei Night Market:Try traditional breakfast items before shops close
Join Local Cooking Class:Learn to prepare Shacha Noodles and other specialties
🥗Lunch with Chef:Taste your creations plus local specialties
Visit Shapowei Art District:Explore converted warehouse art spaces and cafes
🍽️Dinner at Michelin-recommended Minnan Restaurant:Modern twist on traditional Fujian flavors
DAY 6
🍳Breakfast on Train:High-speed rail to Zhao'an (2h journey)
Visit Tulou Earth Buildings:UNESCO World Heritage Site with circular Hakka architecture
🥗Lunch at Local Hakka Restaurant:Taste mountain vegetables and preserved pork
Explore Tea Plantations:Tea-picking experience and tasting session
Return to Xiamen:Dinner at station food court before final night
DAY 7
🍳Breakfast at Hotel:Last chance for local pastries
Final Shopping at Baofeng Market:Tea and dried seafood souvenirs
🥗Lunch at Airport:International cuisine options before departure
Xiamen Travel FAQs
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