Gulangyu Island is a rustic car-free paradise—perfect for those seeking to dial down life’s frenetic pace by a few notches. A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Gulangyu offers visitors a sanctuary of tranquil beaches, colourful alleyways, and historic Victorian architecture. (Don’t forget to visit the quaint Seashell Museum and charming Piano Museum if time permits.) 

Tip: Ferries leave from Xiamen’s Dongdu Harbour to Sanqiutian Harbour from 7.20am to 5.30pm. A round-trip ticket costs around 35 yuan. It is best to book your tickets prior to travelling.

Founded by overseas Chinese leader and rubber tycoon Tan Kah Kee, Xiamen University is both immaculate and prestigious—nestled between the sea and the “Five Old Men” mountains, its iconic campus buildings are a sight to behold.

The university is open for free to the public. However, the high visitor traffic in recent years made it necessary for all visitors to book their visits at least 3 days in advance through their WeChat account, which you can access by scanning the QR code below.

Tip: Do have your passports handy for checking at the gate.

Cycling enthusiasts and beach lovers, rejoice! This is where your outdoor Xiamen adventures really begins. The 43-kilometre Island Ring Road, or Huandao Lu in Chinese, offers some of Xiamen’s best attractions. Look out for the Hulishan Fortress, Baicheng beach, and Zeng Cuo An village—a hipster enclave populated with chic eateries, cafes, and bars.      

When in China, do as the Chinese do and commute on two wheels. To do so, you can check out the bike rental shop near the Baicheng Gate of Xiamen University.

Once a small fishing port, Shapowei has since morphed into a hub for budding creatives. Considered the “birthplace of Xiamen’s culture,” its Art Zone features old warehouses turned into art studios and handicraft stores. 

Quaff a glass of craft beer while supporting the local Xiamen artists who peddle their wares on the weekends. At night, live music takes over the street, filling it with an alternative (and even underground) vibe. Shapowei Art Zone is the hotspot to check out, especially if you are curious about how the locals have a good time.

Home to a stunning collection of more than 6,500 species of flora, you can easily spend a day at Wanshi Botanical Garden admiring and photographing its comprehensive collection of plant life. Time stands still as you wander in the garden’s green splendour—look out for aromatic eucalyptuses, luxuriant tropical trees, exquisite bonsai, and temperate firs.

The garden’s name, which means 10,000 stones, drew inspiration from the numerous boulders littered throughout its expansive grounds. You will find many of them marked with Chinese calligraphic writings. Don’t miss out on the cactus zone; it is said to be the largest cactus garden in the country.

Zhongshan Road is Xiamen’s most popular shopping street. Named after China’s first president Dr Sun Yat Sen, you can expect to find (and bring home) all manner of Fujian specialty foods, crafts, and fashion. Look out for Xiamen local delicacies like pineapple pastries, bean paste pastries, and dried pork slices, but do compare prices before parting with your money. (Refer to this guide to the best eats around Zhongshan Road.)

Need to recharge your batteries after all that shopping and sightseeing? Make a trip to Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort in Xiamen. Hop on the free shuttle bus that departs every hour from 10:00am to 12:00am from the Xiamen Dongdu Ferry Terminal (South Bus Station) and you will arrive at spa heaven.

If you enjoy sea-to-plate meals and are feeling famished, make a beeline for Bashi—also known as Xiamen’s eighth market, it is the city's largest and most popular seafood market.

Here, you will find a mind-boggling array of fresh seafood, meat, and dried goods on display. A must-try for the brave is the local delicacy, tu sun dong, which is jelly made of sandworms dug up from the city’s beaches and boiled with gelatin. While the dish may sound icky, fans of the slimy dish have sworn by it.

After a day of wandering around Xiamen, savour tantalising dim sum (bite-sized portions of food served in steamer baskets) and fresh seafood at Hai Tien Lo—one of the most authentic fine-dining Cantonese restaurants in Xiamen.