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July 6, 2025
1 viewsUltimate 3-Day Family Travel Guide to Xiamen: Coastal Adventures & Cultural Treasures
Explore Xiamen's family-friendly attractions, savor local delicacies, and discover hidden gems with our expert-curated 3-day itinerary for mid-range travelers.
Family TravelCity ExplorationMid-Range Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 厦门
Location: Fujian Province, Southeast China
Famous For: Coastal cityscape blending tropical scenery with modern architecture,UNESCO World Heritage Site - Gulangyu Island,Vibrant seafood culture
Daily Cost: $80-120 USD per person
Best Season: Mar-May / Sep-Nov
Why Xiamen Makes Perfect Family Escape
This coastal gem combines tropical island charm with urban sophistication. From Gulangyu Island's musical heritage to Zhongshan Road Walkway's colonial architecture, Xiamen offers interactive museums, scenic parks, and safe pedestrian zones perfect for families. Children will love the interactive exhibits at Xiamen Science and Technology Museum while parents appreciate the well-connected public transport.
Optimal Seasons for Xiamen Family Holidays
Ideal Seasons: Spring (Mar-May) & Autumn (Sep-Nov) offer 20-28°C temperatures with minimal rainfall
🌱Spring: Mild weather ideal for outdoor exploration. Enjoy blooming flowers at Xiamen Botanical Garden.
☀️Summer: Hot and humid with frequent typhoons. Best for indoor attractions like Huli Mountain Fortress.
🍁Autumn: Perfect autumn conditions for cycling along Huandao Road's oceanfront bike lanes.
❄️Winter: Cooler temperatures (12-20°C) with occasional showers. Great time to experience local hot pot at Shuzhuang Garden Restaurant.
Arriving in Xiamen: Airports, Trains & Local Transit
Family-friendly options include Metro Lines 1&2 ($0.75-1.50 fare), bike rentals ($2/hour), and designated taxi lanes. Use Alipay/WeChat QR code for contactless payments.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [Recommended]
40 minutes from city center via airport shuttle ($10) or taxi ($25-30). Direct trains available to major cities in Fujian province.
Xiamen North Railway Station
High-speed rail connections to Fuzhou (1.5h), Quanzhou (30m), and Shanghai (5h). Taxi from station costs $15-20.
Best Neighborhoods for Family Accommodation
Zhongshan Road
Historic area with pedestrianized street, budget-friendly hotels like Tianyuan Century Hotel, and easy access to night markets.
Cengcuo'an Village
Quaint seaside community with boutique guesthouses like Blue Bayview Homestay, offering ocean views and local cuisine.
Huli District
Modern business district with family suites at Xiamen Concorde Hotel and proximity to SM City Plaza shopping center.
Top 5 Family Attractions in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
UNESCO Heritage Site with piano museum, exotic gardens, and car-free environment perfect for strolling. Catch sunset at Sunlight Rock
Xiamen Science and Technology Museum
Interactive exhibits including earthquake simulator, space exploration dome, and children's discovery zone. Great rainy day option.
Huandao Road
24km oceanfront promenade perfect for family cycling. Stop at Baicheng Beach for sandcastle building and sunset views.
Tips
Purchase Xiamen Family Tourist Card for 20% discounts on major attractions and unlimited ferry rides to Gulangyu
Xiamen Culinary Journey: What to Eat with Kids
Recommended Restaurants
1. Xiamen Ocean Restaurant
Overwater dining with aquarium tunnels. Offers children's menus and fish-feeding shows.
2. Zhongshan Park Restaurant
Traditional Fujian cuisine in garden setting. Famous for their frog-leg soup and interactive tea ceremony demonstrations.
3. Baowang Vegetarian Restaurant
Eco-friendly eatery serving creative plant-based dishes using local produce, perfect for health-conscious families.
Signature Dishes
1. Sha Cha Noodles
Xiamen's signature peanut-butter flavored broth with shrimp and beef slices. Try at Caijia Sha Cha Noodles - they offer kid-sized portions.
2. Oyster Omelette
Crispy pan-fried oysters with egg batter and sweet chili sauce. Yuyuan Snack Shop prepares kid-friendly versions with less spice.
3. Thousand-layer Cake
Multi-hued steamed cake from Cengcuo'an. Visit Hai Bing Tang bakery for colorful children's sizes.
Xiamen 3-Day Family Itinerary
DAY 1
Ferry to Gulangyu Island:Take early morning ferry to avoid crowds. Rent stroller at码头入口.
🍳Breakfast at Shuzhuang Garden Restaurant:Scenic seaside dining with dim sum and tropical fruits
Visit Xiamen Piano Museum:Interactive exhibits where children can play historic instruments
🥗Lunch at Caijia Sha Cha Noodles:Sample local specialty with optional seafood additions
Explore Sunlight Rock trails:Easy jungle pathways with observation decks offering island views
DAY 2
Visit Xiamen Science and Technology Museum:Hands-on exhibits including earthquake simulator and planetarium shows
🥗Lunch at Baowang Vegetarian Restaurant:Healthy plant-based meals with fun vegetable-shaped dumplings
Explore Zhongshan Road Walkway:Shop for souvenirs and try street snacks like peanut brittle
🍽️Dinner at Yuyuan Snack Shop:Family-friendly setting serving adapted local specialties
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Enjoy international breakfast buffet
Bike rental along Huandao Road:Family-friendly cycling with dedicated bike lanes and scenic ocean views
🥗Lunch at Baicheng Beach cafe:Light meals with oceanfront seating while children play
Visit Huli Mountain Fortress:Interactive historical site with daily cannon demonstrations
🍽️Dinner at Xiamen Ocean Restaurant:Dine surrounded by marine life with special children's menus
Xiamen Travel FAQs
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