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July 25, 2025
Romantic Xiamen: A 5-Day Food & Couples Travel Itinerary
Explore coastal charm, UNESCO heritage sites, and seafood delicacies with your partner
Couples TravelFood Travel5 Days TravelMid-Range Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 厦门市
Location: Fujian Province, Southeast China
Famous For: UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gulangyu),Coastal Scenic Drives,Fusion Cuisine
Daily Cost: ¥400-600 per person
Best Season: April-October (Spring to Autumn)
Why Visit Xiamen: A Couples' Paradise
Xiamen offers the perfect blend of coastal relaxation and cultural exploration. With its tropical climate, Gulangyu Island's romantic lanes, and world-class seafood, this coastal gem provides intimate moments at seaside cafes and historic colonial mansions. The city's compact size allows easy exploration of beaches, temples, and food markets without rushing.
Best Time to Visit Xiamen
Ideal Seasons: April-October for beach activities, March-May & September-November for mild weather
🌱Spring: Pleasant temperatures (18-25°C) with blooming flowers at Zhongshan Park
☀️Summer: Beach season but humid (28-32°C), ideal for sunset cruises at Haicang Bay
🍁Autumn: Comfortable weather (20-26°C) with Mid-Autumn Festival lantern displays
❄️Winter: Mild (12-18°C) but limited beach activities, perfect for exploring Nanshan Caihong Bridge
Arriving and Leaving Xiamen
Metro (Lines 1-3), ride-hailing apps (Didi), and bicycle rentals along Ring Road. Pre-book airport transfers through your hotel.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [Recommended]
Main airport (XMN) 12km from city center. Taxis cost ¥100-120 (30 mins), airport shuttle buses from ¥35. New terminal handles 45 million passengers/year.
Xiamen North Railway Station
High-speed rail hub connecting to Shanghai (4.5hrs), Shenzhen (1.5hrs). Taxis cost ¥80-100 (25 mins). Metro Line 1 connects to city center.
Where to Stay in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
Romantic boutique hotels like MinSheng Bank Mansion Hotel with ocean views. Accessible by 20-minute ferry (¥35) from First Ocean Bathing Beach.
Siming District
Convenient for first-time visitors with 4-5 star hotels like Xiamen Shangri-La and proximity to Zhongshan Road shopping street.
Haicang District
Modern waterfront hotels with skyline views. Great base for exploring Baijia Park and Haicang Bridge night views.
Top Romantic Experiences for Couples
Gulangyu Island
Explore the UNESCO-listed island's European architecture, piano museums, and cliffside tea houses. Walk the 2km Lvshi Road for vintage shops.
Ring Road Scenic Drive
Rent an electric car (¥300/day) to explore the 31km coastal road with photo stops at Huyuan Park's windmills and Baicheng Beach's heart-shaped rock.
Nanshan Caihong Bridge
Walk the rainbow-shaped bridge lit at night. Visit nearby Caihong Bay for dolphin watching cruises (¥180/couple) at sunset.
Tips
Visit attractions early morning to avoid crowds. Book island hotels at least 2 months in advance.
Xiamen Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes
Recommended Restaurants
1. MinSheng Bank Mansion Hotel Restaurant
Dine in a 1930s bank vault turned seafood restaurant. Try their lobster omelet (¥128) with sunset views of Gulangyu Sound
2. Xiamen Seafood Market
Select live seafood from Fuzhou Road Market then have it cooked at adjacent stalls for ¥20-30 per dish.
3. A Ji Zai Teahouse
Tea-pairing tasting menu in a restored courtyard house. Famous for their osmanthus duck (¥68) and jasmine tea service.
Signature Dishes
1. Shacha Noodles
Try the local version with handmade peanut butter noodles, squid rings, and pork liver at Ode to Joy night market stall.
2. Turtle Jelly
Gelatinous dessert from sea turtle cartilage. Best at Caihong Bay Market's 30-year-old stall #45.
3. Seafood Hotpot
Customize your hotpot with live abalone, hairy crabs, and ribbon fish at Lianhua Restaurant's dockside tables.
Xiamen Itineraries: 5-Day Couples Plan
DAY 1
Arrival at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport:Private transfer (booked through hotel) to downtown hotel
🥗Lunch at A Ji Zai Teahouse:Osmanthus duck and tea ceremony for two
Zhongshan Road Walking Tour:Visit the 100-year-old Art Deco buildings and sample century-old snacks
🍽️Dinner at MinSheng Bank Mansion Restaurant:Romantic ocean view dining experience
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Continental breakfast with tropical fruits
Ferry to Gulangyu:Scenic 20-minute ferry ride to the car-free island
Sunlight Rock Exploration:Climb to the island's highest point for panoramic ocean views
🥗Lunch at Gulangyu Seafood Market:Select fresh catch and have it cooked at market stalls
Piano Museum Tour:Listen to 19th-century pianos in a colonial mansion
🍽️Dinner at Gulangyu Mansion Restaurant:Candlelit dinner in restored colonial building
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Tropical fruit platter and local oolong tea
Ring Road Scenic Drive:Rent electric car for 2-person coastal tour
🥗Lunch at Baicheng Beach Viewpoint:Picnic lunch with heart-shaped rock photo stop
Huyuan Park Visit:Explore historic fortress with lighthouse views
Sunset Cruise Departure:Private 1-hour cruise with champagne toast
🍽️Dinner at Bayview Restaurant:Oceanfront dining with grilled seafood platter
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Local specialty: Sesame oil noodles
Nanshan Temple Visit:Watch morning prayers in this 1400-year-old temple
🥗Lunch at Temple Vegetarian Hall:Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
Xiamen Museum Tour:Explore maritime history exhibits with audio guides
Tea Tasting Workshop:Learn tea ceremony in a traditional teahouse
🍽️Dinner at Heritage Alley Restaurant:Modern twist on classic Fujian dishes in historic building
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Western breakfast set with cappuccino
Fuzhou Road Market Visit:Purchase local specialties like pineapple cakes and tea
🥗Lunch at Market Food Court:Sample street food at market's upper floor food hall
Private Transfer to Airport:Departure with memories and local treats
Xiamen Travel FAQs
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