Things to do
Things to do in Xiamen
Fujian's island city: Gulangyu's colonial lanes, the banyan-lined ring road, Nanputuo's temple — the most liveable city in China, they say.
Photos for Xiamen are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
Top things to do in Xiamen
The garden city: Gulangyu's pianos, the sea, and the universities.
- Gulangyu Island — The UNESCO island: the colonial consulates, the piano museum, the car-free lanes — the ferry day.
- Nanputuo Temple — The 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple at the foot of Wulao Peak.
- Hulishan Fortress — The 1894 coastal fort: the Krupp guns, the sea views.
- Xiamen University — The 'most beautiful campus in China': the banyans, the lake — limited visitor hours, check.
- Zengcuo'an — The fishing-village-turned-arts quarter: the snacks, the B&Bs, the lanes.
- Jimei (Tan Kah Kee) — The garden-school district across the causeway: the turtle garden, the dragon-boat pool.
Free things to do in Xiamen
Xiamen is generous if your budget isn't. All of these cost nothing or close to it:
- Gulangyu (island lanes) — The island: ferry is the cost; the lanes are free.
- Ring Road (Huandao Lu) — The seaside cycle: free.
- Zengcuo'an — The lanes: free.
- Nanputuo (temple) — The temple: free.
- Bailuzhou Park — The lake park: free.
Festivals & the religious calendar
The town's own festivals:
- Spring Festival (January/February) — The lanterns, the temple fairs.
- Mid-Autumn (Bobing) (September/October) — The Xiamen dice game: the mooncake gambling — the local tradition.
- Xiamen International Marathon (January) — The ring-road race: the scenic marathon.
And the national calendar:
- Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) (January/February (lunar)) — Chunyun: the world's largest annual migration; family reunion dinners, red envelopes.
- Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October (lunar)) — Mooncakes and the full moon; the second great family holiday.
- National Day Golden Week (1–7 October) — The week-long travel peak: book everything far ahead.
- Dragon Boat Festival (June (lunar)) — Zongzi and dragon boat races.
Exact dates are confirmed yearly — check local listings before booking around a festival.
Sports: Marathon / outdoor
The Xiamen International Marathon (January) on the ring road is the sporting signature. Football (soccer) follows the national leagues; the island's cycling (the ring road) and the sea swim are the daily sports.
Dragon-boat racing (June festival); the Gulangyu walks.
What's new in Xiamen
The Xiang'an airport project will change the gateway — verify when booking. Gulangyu's ferry booking is the standing arrangement — book ahead.
Submit your event
Running something in town? Dayfari lists community events free — gigs, markets, fundraisers, club nights, temple and church programmes. Submit your event and it can appear in the town feed within a day. No account needed to suggest; the Dayfari team reviews every submission.
Common questions
How many days do I need in Xiamen?
Two full days covers the highlights above. Add a third for the day trips — see our day-trips guide.
What can I do in Xiamen for free?
Plenty — see the free list above. The town's festivals and markets are the other great free shows.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen?
Time it for a festival if you can — the calendar above is the cheat sheet. Otherwise, the shoulder seasons dodge the crowds.
More to explore in Xiamen
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