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July 25, 2025
Ultimate 3-Day Solo Travel Guide to Xiamen: Food, Culture & Hidden Gems
Explore Xiamen's best seafood, Gothic churches, and subtropical beaches without breaking the bank
Solo TravelFood TravelXiamen
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 厦门市
Location: Fujian Province, China
Famous For: Gulangyu Island,Seafood Cuisine,Tropical Coastline
Daily Cost: $80-120 (USD)
Best Season: April-June, September-November
Introduction: Why Xiamen for Solo Travelers
Xiamen combines seaside charm with culinary delights, making it perfect for independent explorers. Walk Gulangyu Island's cobblestone lanes, discover colonial architecture, and savor fresh catches at 8th Market. With efficient public transport and compact districts, this coastal gem balances adventure with affordability.
Best Time to Visit Xiamen
Ideal Seasons: Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-November)
🌱Spring: 20-28°C weather ideal for island hopping. Cherry blossoms bloom at Hulishan Fortress in March.
☀️Summer: High season (July-August) brings hot weather and crowded beaches. Best for water activities at Haicang Bay
🍁Autumn: Perfect temperatures for hiking Wanghai Tower Park. Mid-Autumn Festival offers mooncake tastings.
❄️Winter: Mild (12-20°C) with fewer tourists. Great deals at SM City Plaza malls during winter sales.
Arriving and Leaving Xiamen
Metro (Lines 1-4 connect major districts), bike-sharing (30¢/hour), and Didi taxis (start at $2). Get an Easycard for public transport.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [Recommended]
5km from city center. Metro Line 4 reaches downtown in 30 minutes ($1.5). Taxis cost $15-20, 25-minute ride.
Xiamen North Station
30km northwest of downtown. High-speed trains to Shanghai (5h), Shenzhen (3h). Taxi transfer $40-50.
Where to Stay in Xiamen
Zhongshan Road
Historic pedestrian street with boutique hotels and 24/7 food stalls. Walkable to Xiamen Museum and Nanputuo Temple.
SM City Plaza
Modern shopping district with mid-range hotels like NOA Hotel. Direct metro link to airport and train stations.
Top Things to Do in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
UNESCO-listed island with historic mansions and cliffside lighthouses. Rent a piano-shaped audio guide for self-guided tours.
Xiamen Catholic Church
Neo-Gothic cathedral surrounded by bustling food stalls at 8th Market. Attend 6PM Sunday mass for local choir performances.
Hulishan Fortress
19th-century coastal defense site with daily cannon demonstrations and interactive WWII history exhibits.
Tips
Book Gulangyu Island ferry tickets online in advance during peak season
What to Eat: Xiamen Food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. 8th Market Seafood
Local-style seafood market where chefs cook your selection on-site. Budget $15-25/person for crab stir-fries and abalone porridge.
2. Zai Lao Gao
24-hour eatery famous for pork belly soup and century egg tofu. Popular with night-owl travelers and food bloggers.
3. Jiao Wei Da Mei Noodle
Award-winning street food stall serving handmade fish noodles. Arrive before 8AM to avoid lines.
Signature Dishes
1. Shacha Noodles
Wok-fried noodles in peanut butter-laced barbecue sauce. Best served at 8th Market's Zhongshan Road night market stalls.
2. Oyster Omelette
Crispy sweet potato starch omelette with fresh rock oysters. Try Jiageng Canteen's version near Xiamen University.
3. Taro Paste Dessert
Silky steamed taro with osmanthus syrup. Available at traditional tea houses like Yuyuan Teahouse.
Xiamen Itinerary: 3 Days & 4 Days Options
DAY 1
Ferry to Gulangyu Island:Take the 10-minute ferry from Zhongshan Road Terminal (Round-trip $5)
Visiting Sunlight Rock:Climb 92-meter cliff for panoramic island views ($2 entry)
🥗Lunch at Gulangyu Seafood Restaurant:Try steamed prawns and seaweed soup
Piano Museum Visit:See rare 19th-century pianos in a heritage mansion ($1.5 admission)
Sunset at Beach Bar Street:Relax at seaside cafes while watching yachts return
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Zhongshan Road:Sample peanut soup and mooncakes
Visit Nanputuo Temple:Explore Qing-dynasty Buddhist complex with vegetarian restaurant
🥗Lunch at Jiageng Canteen:University canteen serving affordable oyster omelettes
Tour Xiamen University:Stroll through China's most beautiful campus with coastal walkways
🍽️Dinner at 8th Market:Choose live seafood for market cooks to prepare
Night Walk at Haiwan Bridge:Photograph city lights reflected on the bay
DAY 3
Explore Xiamen Science and Technology Museum:Interactive space and ocean exhibits ($6 admission)
Visit Wanghai Tower:360-degree city views from the observation deck ($3 entry)
🥗Lunch at SM City Plaza:Choose between food court dim sum or Korean BBQ
Shopping at Luobo Art District:Support local artists at this creative warehouse complex
Final Sunset at Baicheng Beach:Relax at this popular surfer spot near Xiamen University
Xiamen Travel FAQs
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