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July 25, 2025
5-Day Xiamen Romantic & Budget-Friendly Travel Guide
Discover Xiamen's hidden gems, affordable delicacies, and perfect couple spots without breaking the bank
Xiamen TravelCouples TravelFood TravelBudget Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 厦门
Location: Fujian Province, China
Famous For: Coastal scenery,Cultural heritage,Street food paradise
Daily Cost: $30-50 per couple
Best Season: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Why Xiamen for Couples?
Xiamen combines historical charm with modern romance, offering Gulangyu Island's musical heritage, Hulisheng's colonial architecture, and Baicheng Beach's sunset views. With budget-friendly transport, affordable street food, and endless photo opportunities, it's Asia's ultimate low-cost romantic destination.
Best Time to Visit Xiamen
Ideal Seasons: Spring (Mar-May) for mild weather, Autumn (Sep-Nov) for clear skies
🌱Spring: 20-28°C, blooming flowers at Xiamen Botanical Garden, perfect for outdoor dates
☀️Summer: Warm but humid with typhoon risks, enjoy air-conditioned romance at Xiamen Museum
🍁Autumn: 22-26°C ideal cycling weather for Ring Island Road, harvest season for local seafood
❄️Winter: 12-20°C, fewer crowds at Nanputuo Temple, budget accommodation deals available
Arriving and Leaving Xiamen
Metro Line 1 connects major areas, public bikes (ofo) $0.3/hour, Didi taxis $2 starting fare. Rent E-bikes ($8/day) for Ring Island Road cycling dates.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [Recommended]
City center 25km (30min taxi $12-$15), metro Line 1 connects to downtown, 24h operation
Xiamen North Railway Station
35km from city center, bullet trains from Fuzhou (1h), taxi $20-$25, transfer via Metro Line 1
Where to Stay in Xiamen
Zhongshan Road
Historic area with budget hostels like Zhouzhuo Youth Hostel ($12/night), street food access
Hubin South Road
Modern district with mid-range options Tujia Xiamen Apartment ($30/night), Metro access
Zengcuo'an Village
Scenic seaside area with boutique guesthouses ($20-50/night), 10min walk to Baicheng Beach
Top Things to Do in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
UNESCO World Heritage Site with 200+ historic pianos, cliffside pathways, and romantic tea houses. Rent tandem bikes ($5/hour).
Ring Island Road
8km scenic cycling route with ocean views, passing Bailuzhou Park and International Confucius Plaza. Sunset viewing points marked with heart-shaped installations.
Hulisheng Colonial Buildings
Dutch-Chinese architecture district with lantern-lit alleys perfect for evening walks. Contains Xiamen Overseas Chinese Museum and vintage photo studios.
Tips
Visit Gulangyu Island weekdays to avoid crowds, book tickets online for Huaiyin Theater evening shows
Xiamen Food Guide for Couples
Recommended Restaurants
1. A Jiji Restaurant
Local favorite with set menus ($6/person) including Shacha lamb and steamed fish. Cash only!
2. Tropical Rain Cafe
Garden-themed restaurant serving spicy crab ($12) and mango pudding. Ideal for candle-lit dinner dates.
3. Yegu Tea House
Traditional teahouse on Gulangyu Island offering jasmine tea pairing ($8/couple) with mooncake tastings.
Signature Dishes
1. Shacha Noodles
Xiamen's signature peanut butter broth noodles with pork liver and seafood. Best at Lianhe Shacha near Zhongshan Park.
2. Oyster Omelette
Crispy sweet potato starch omelette with fresh oysters. Try Lianhuan Haiyan night stall near Hulisheng.
3. Peanut Butter Soup
Thick peanut dessert served with sweet dumplings. Must-try at Lianhe Peanut (since 1980).
Xiamen 5-Day Itineraries for Couples
DAY 1
🍳Breakfast at Shengli Cake:Try their peanut butter toast with fresh coconut milk ($3/couple)
Explore Hulisheng:Photowalk through Dutch-Chinese architecture with love locks bridge
Visit Xiamen Museum:Free entry with interactive exhibits on maritime Silk Road history
🍽️Dinner at Yegu Teahouse:Tea ceremony experience paired with vegetarian delicacies ($10/couple)
DAY 2
Catch ferry to Gulangyu:20min boat ride with seagull-feeding tradition ($2/ticket)
🥗Lunch at Shuzhuang Garden:Seaside dining with live piano music ($8/couple)
Explore Piano Museum:World's largest antique pipe organ collection in cliffside villa
Return ferry sunset:Watch skyline lights while sharing mooncake slices ($3/box)
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at Shuiqin Xiao Shi:Local staple serving fish porridge and steamed dumplings ($2/couple)
Botanical Garden Visit:Tropical gardens with bonsai displays and monsoon forest dome ($4/couple)
Tea tasting at Baicao:Private tea room with DIY oolong blending workshop ($6/couple)
🍽️Dinner at Starry Night Bar:Live music venue serving pineapple pork and craft beers ($12/couple)
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at Zaiyin:Try their century egg congee with sesame balls ($2/couple)
Ring Island Cycling:Rent tandem bikes for 8km coastal route ($5/hour)
🥗Lunch at Haiyan Restaurant:Seafood hotpot with ocean views ($10/couple)
Photowalk at Wuluo Temple:Golden hour photography at 500-year-old temple with love knot wishes
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at Cai'an Peanut:World-famous peanut butter soup with tofu pudding ($3/couple)
Zhongshan Road Shopping:Buy love-themed souvenirs like piano key magnets ($1-3/pcs)
Afternoon at Nanputuo Temple:Peaceful temple gardens with vegetarian buffet ($2/couple)
🍽️Farewell Dinner at Lianhuan:Iconic oyster omelette with sunset rooftop view ($8/couple)
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