Xiamen

Note: eHalal Travel Guide is about the island of Xiamen. For suburban areas not on the island, see Southern Coast (Fujian) or links in this Travel Guide.

Gulangyu xiamen skyline 2011 12 - Xiamen skyline, seen from Gulangyu

Xiamen (厦门; Ē-mn̂g in Minnan, Xiàmén in Mandarin) is a coastal city in Fujian Province in China. It has been an important port for centuries and became one of China's earliest List_of_Chinese_provinces_and_regions#Development_zones|Special Economic Zones in 1980. The name Xiamen means "door to the house", referring to the city's centuries-old role as a gateway to China.

Xiamen is a very vibrant, affluent and modern place, though by Chinese standards it is a small city — only 1.9 million in the city itself and 3.6 million counting suburbs. It has many non-Chinese residents and a range of Halal restaurants, bars and stores that cater to them. It also has several universities and some areas popular for tourism.

The most important tourist area is Gulangyu, a small island close to downtown which contains some beautiful colonial buildings and is vehicle free. It is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An introduction to Xiamen

Like many other Asian cities, Xiamen is a fascinating mixture of old and new. Buildings range from ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, roads from narrow alleys to multi-lane boulevards and highways, and industries from handicrafts to hi-tech.

Orientation

The core of the city is on Xiamen island. The term "Xiamen" is somewhat ambiguous since it can refer to the island, to the city on it, or to the whole urban area (a "prefecture-level city" in the Chinese List_of_Chinese_provinces_and_regions#Lower-level_divisions|administrative system) including suburbs not on the island. eHalal Travel Guide covers Xiamen Island; the others areas have their own articles, linked below.

Subdivisions of Xiamen-China - Administrative neighborhoods

On the map, Xiamen Island is the pink (Huli District) and green (Siming District) roughly circular area near the bottom. It is about 13 km (8 miles) in diameter. Gulangyu is the green dot next to the larger island. Much of both islands is heavily built up, but both also have quite a lot of parkland and plenty of trees and flowers; this is a bustling modern city with distinct overtones of tropical paradise. Also and the terrain is hilly and quite a few hills are still covered with forest.

The areas on the mainland that are administratively part of Xiamen are Haicang in yellow, Jimei in blue, Tong'an in dark green and Xiang'an in orange. A few decades back these were largely rural areas, but all now have populations of several hundred thousand and are growing quickly; the city is expanding beyond the island. Xiamen Island is connected to Jimei by several bridges (road, rail and rapid transit), to Haicang by one bridge, and to Xiang'an by a tunnel.

The main train station, long-distance bus stations, and ferry terminals are all on Xiamen Island, though there are less important stations in other areas. The airport is also on the island, up on the north side. The bus rapid transit system (BRT) has one line running east-west across the island and another that runs north, crosses a bridge and then forks to run through parts of Jimei and Tong'an. Other neighborhoods do not yet have BRT service. See #Get around|Get around below for more on BRT including a link to a map.

Most of the historic buildings and much of the new commercial and business core of town are in the area of Xiamen Island opposite Gulangyu, though newer development has spread out a long way east and north from there. Major streets in the old central area include Lujiang Road along the coast, Siming Road parallel to it and a bit inland, and Zhongshan Road which is a pedestrians-only shopping street perpendicular to the other two. The university is on the coast at the southern end of that downtown area.

A long and rather pretty ring road, Huándǎo Lù (X401 on the map), runs from the university along the east coast all the way to the airport on the north edge of the island; there are popular beaches along it. A large International Conference Center with its own hotel is just off this road, about halfway up the coast.

Somewhat north of downtown on the west side of the island and there is a long, narrow lake running east-west near the map's pink-green border. Its name can be romanised as either Yundang Lake or Yuandang Lake; we use Yundang here because it is closer to the sound in Chinese, but both forms are in widespread use.

Major roads run parallel to the lake shore and a bit inland on all four sides, all with names that say which side of the lake they are on. The area around Hubin Beilu (Lakeside North Street) has several high-end hotels (the Marco Polo is a landmark), quite a few expat residents, and many restaurants. Along the lake are mainly upmarket places, while the back streets have more modest establishments. Around Hubin Nanlu (Lakeside South Street) are shops and offices.

Xiahe Lu, south of Hubin Nanlu and roughly parallel to it, is one of the main streets of the newer part of the city; it has many banks, hotels and offices, several of the larger shopping centers, and the train station. The east-west BRT line runs along it.

Haicang Bridge cropped - Bridge between Haicang (left, West) and Xiamen Island.

West of the lake, between it and the seashore, is Haiwan Park which has a half-dozen bars/restaurants right on the seashore, all with large patios overlooking the water. Like the ones on the lake and these mostly offer International food and are popular with Xiamen's large expatriate community.

Xiamen's container port, on the west side of town north of the lake, is among the 20 busiest on Earth. From the primary street up the west side of the island, you can look out over hundreds of stacked containers and some enormous cranes for moving them. In the photo of Haicang Bridge on the right, some red cranes are visible.

Climate & Weather

Xiamen is just one degree north of the Tropic of Cancer. The climate is subtropical, warm year round; even in the coldest winter months (January and February) and the average nightly low is 10 °C (50 °F). Frost is extremely rare and the last time it snowed was a freak storm in 1893.

It does get hot in summer; in July and August, average daily high and low are 32 and 25 °C (~ 90 and 77 °F), and it is often humid as well. There is a fair bit of rain; average is 1350 mm (~ 53 inches) a year. October to January are the driest months.

Xiamen has cleaner air than many Chinese cities; it is right on the sea and there is not much heavy industry and almost no domestic heating with coal, and the city government is generally strict about pollution since it might drive away investment. Xiamen got an international award in a contest for most livable and environmentally aware cities in 2002; neighboring Quanzhou won the following year.

There is a risk of typhoons, mainly July to September, but Xiamen is partly sheltered from them. Typhoons come in off the Pacific; most of them cross Taiwan before reaching Xiamen, use up much of their power smashing up Taiwan, Province of China, and are significantly less nasty by the time they hit Xiamen.

Overall and the climate is usually very pleasant year round.

History

The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and Xiamen Island is mentioned in Han Dynasty records around the time of Christ. There has been a town in the area at least since the Song Dynasty, a thousand years ago. For most of that time, it was administratively a neighborhood of Quanzhou, which was historically the richest and most important city in Fujian. In the past couple of centuries, however, Xiamen has grown a great deal; now it is administered separately and is much more than just an appendage of Quanzhou.

Until 1842 and the Chinese Empire allowed Western "barbarians" to trade only in Guangzhou (then known as Canton), and only under strict controls. After China lost the First Opium War, Britain took Hong Kong and China was forced to open five List of Chinese provinces and regions#Treaty ports and concessions|Treaty Ports — Canton, Xiamen (then known as Amoy), Fuzhou, Ningbo and Shanghai — to foreign trade, and to eliminate some of their restrictions. Trade boomed and these port cities developed very quickly.

Gulangyu-11-11 - Gulangyu

In Xiamen and the island Gulangyu became a foreign enclave with consulates and luxurious homes. Today it is a quiet area (no cars or motorcycles), five minutes by ferry from downtown, and remarkably scenic.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fujian was a focus of missionary activity and there are many historic churches in the region. China's oldest Protestant church and the Xinjie Church, is in downtown Xiamen near the Ximing Road & Zhongshan Road intersection.

Some of the history of the China trade is darker; key commodities were tea, silk and ceramics plus "pigs and poison" — indentured labourers and opium. Some labourers were very badly treated, almost slaves, and opium caused major problems in China. Xiamen had its share of the dark side as well as the more positive side; one company there was prosecuted by the British for kidnapping potential workers.

Many overseas Chinese around the world can trace their ancestry to Fujian, often to the Minnan -speaking region around Xiamen. In particular, much of the Chinese immigration to Southeast Asia and the Philippines has been from Fujian, as was nearly all immigration to Taiwan before 1949. Some overseas Chinese maintain connections to the "old country", especially Xiamen. Tan Kah Kee, after making his fortune in (Malay) rubber, started Xiamen University, an Overseas Chinese Museum nearby, and a technical college in neighboring Jimei. The Filipino chain store SM first entered the Chinese market with a store in Xiamen and the company founder's birthplace. Overseas Chinese often visit the region, some donate to various good causes in the area, and Xiamen university has many overseas Chinese students, including a large contingent from Indonesia.

In the 1980s, Xiamen was one of the first cities to become a List of Chinese provinces and regions#Development zones|Special Economic Zone to encourage development and open mainland China to the outside world; like other SEZs it has been booming ever since. While only Xiamen Island and Gulyangyu are in the SEZ and the whole region is flourishing. Xiamen has more Taiwan investment than any other mainland city, partly because Taiwanese is a dialect of Minnan phrasebook|Minnan (Southern Min) and the local language of southern Fujian. There is also a major influx of other foreign investment; among the foreign companies with large factories in Xiamen are Lifetime Products, Dell and Kodak.

Xiamen also has five large industrial development zones set up for various types of development, two in Haicang and one each in Jimei, Xiang'an and on Xiamen Island.

Get in

Xiamen has a major airport and good road and rail connections; it is easily reached from anywhere in China and many places beyond.

By plane

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport - XMN | The airport is on Xiamen island and close to downtown, ¥70-40 and 20 minutes by taxi. It is among the dozen busiest airports in China by several different measures — passengers, freight volume or number of flights — though its exact position on the list is different for each measure and may change from year to year.

Xiamen - Airlines use XMN as their hub. They have connections all over China, international Flights to many Asian destinations, and a few beyond Asia such as Amsterdam and Sydney. Most other Chinese airlines also fly to Xiamen and there are connections to almost any major Chinese city.

Probably the most common way to fly into Xiamen from overseas is to connect through Hong Kong]. Flying via Guangzhou or Shanghai is also common; both are major international hubs, have good connections to Xiamen, and are reasonably nearby. Shanghai, however, generally requires a somewhat inconvenient change of airports; most international flights come in to Pudong Airport but domestic routes use Hongqiao Airport, on the other side of the city. Connecting via Beijing is also feasible, but Beijing is a long way from Xiamen.

Direct international Flights to Xiamen are becoming more common, and may offer better options for many fliers.

From Southeast Asia and there are Flights direct to Xiamen from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur. Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport|Cebu. See Discount airlines in Asia.

From North America and there are direct connecting flights on Xiamen - Airlines from Los Angeles and New York JFK|New York but several two-hop possibilities are available from the US, Canada or Mexico. Korean-Air have direct connecting Flights to Xiamen from Seoul. They sometimes offer good discounts, and the Seoul Airport is very user-friendly, with free Internet and nice free lounges with couches to stretch out on. Japan Airlines have direct connecting Flights to Xiamen from Tokyo and Osaka, China Airlines have direct connecting Flights to Xiamen from Taipei, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have direct connecting Flights from Manila and Cebu Pacific also have Flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport|Cebu.

KLM-Airline offers direct connecting flights between Amsterdam and Xiamen, creating the first direct link to Europe for Xiamen. Flights are scheduled three times per week: Amsterdam-Xiamen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Xiamen-Amsterdam on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Buses from the airport include #18 to Xiamen University and #27 to the harbour, both with stops at the train station. #37 just goes to the train station, #41 to the SM Mall area, 91 to the Exhibition Center. #105 goes north into the suburbs, to Tong'an via Jimei.

By train

ChinaFujianXiamen - Position in Fujian Province

Xiamen is well connected to China's High-speed rail in China|high-speed rail network; it is on a major line that runs along the South China coast from just across the border from Hong Kong all the way to Shanghai.

There are two high speed train stations: Xiamen (near downtown) and Xiamen North (Xiamenbei; outside of the Xiamen Island). More high speed trains run from the latter which can be visited by BRT from downtown.

From Xiamen and the routes are:

Northeast to Fuzhou (¥85, 100 minutes), Wenzhou, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Shanghai (around ¥600 and eight hours).
Southwest, to Zhangzhou and Longyan in southwestern Fujian, and on to places in the next province, Guangdong like ChaoShan for Chaozhou. The line runs via Shantou and Huizhou all the way to Shenzhen (¥250, 3.5 hours). From Shenzhen, one can cross to Hong Kong, change trains for Guangzhou, or take a ferry to Zhuhai.

Another high-speed line goes inland from Putian (north of Xiamen on the Fujian coast) to Nanchang in Jiangxi (an inland province West of Fujian). Xiamen-Nanchang time is about five hours.

There is also service on regular trains from Xiamen to various destinations in Fujian and to major cities throughout China's interior. It is affordable, but slow (e.g., about 20 hours to Wuhan) since the railroads travel a circuitous route through mountains.

By bus

Quanzhou, ¥75, 1.5 hours.
Fuzhou, ¥70-90, 4 hours.
Hong Kong, Guangzhou, or Zhuhai, around ¥200-300, overnight sleeper bus. There is a bus direct to Xiamen from Hong Kong airport. From Hong Kong and there are some buses that go all the way and some where you have to switch buses at the Hong Kong-China border.
From Hong Kong via Shenzhen: take the metro to Lo Wu border station, cross the border on foot (usually fast and easy if your visa is in order). There are small shops selling bus tickets within the border complex, with pickup nearby, or you can walk a block to the main bus station. A number of bus operators are available and bus service is frequent. A trip from Lo Wu (China side) to Xiamen will take 9 hours and cost ¥250-300. Night sleeping coaches are also available.
Shenzhen, ¥200-300, 8 hours. Buses leave for Xiamen from the Qiaoshe long-distance bus station (侨社客运站) daily at 09:10, 09:40, 11:00, 11:40, 12:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30, 22:00 and 22:20. Tickets can be purchased at the Shenzhen Tourism Group (深圳市旅游股份有限公司) counter at Qiaoshe bus station. They take credit card or cash.

By ferry

A boat service operates from Xiamen's two ferry terminals to and from Kinmen, which is under Taiwan control, hourly 08:30-19:00 every day. Tickets cost NT$750 from Kinmen and ¥260 from Xiamen.

One ferry terminal is called Dongdu (东渡/厦门国际邮轮中心) on the west side of the Xiamen Island near the Marco Polo and Pan Pacific Hotels. The other is called Wutong (五通客运码头) in the northeastern corner of the island near the Xiang'an Tunnel.

Wutong is definitely the better choice because the boat ride is only about 30 minutes, and there seems to be fewer tour groups moving through this port. If you get seasick (and the waters can be rough in this area) this choice is obvious. The boat ride from Dongdu is about 55 minutes in normal weather. The only advantage this port could have is that if you are on the west side of Xiamen (where the downtown is), and want to save the ¥60 taxi ride to the other side.

There is only one port (Shuitou) on Kinmen island for mainland-bound boats, and the boat times alternate. So if you are doing a visa run and want to minimize your time in Kinmen, you can leave Xiamen from one port, and return to the other.

Get around

Xiamen BRT Tongan - BRT on bus-only elevated roads

The local bus system is very good, but the normal bus routes are listed in Chinese and do not have English on them.

The BRT is Bus Rapid Transit on elevated bus-only roads with 4 lines operating. The BRT is very fast and comfortable and does have signs in English. Fare depends on distance, usually ¥2-¥6 per person. Line 1 connects the northern high speed train station, Terminal 4 of the airport and downtown/Siming.

There is a metro system which has one north-south line mostly connecting the Xiamen North train station with downtown.

Taxis are cheap, starting at ¥8 (plus ¥7 fuel tax – so ¥21) for the first 3 km. After the first 3 km and the meter charge will go up based on distance. Although the meter may read with a decimal, most taxi drivers will round up. On the other hand, as anywhere in China, tipping is not expected.

During the day time, you should be able to get anywhere on Xiamen island, including the airport, for under ¥60. But be wary that some taxi drivers might take advantage of you if they know that you are not a local and might take the longer route to your destination. For example, if the driver says "Huándǎo Lù" after you tell him where you want to go, say bù (no), because that is the ring road that circles the entire island and although it is scenic, it is likely the most expensive way to go.

Xiamen-cycle lane - Bicycle lane along a Xiamen street

There is a frequent ferry service to/from Gulangyu. Non-Xiamen residents have to take the ferry from Dongdu Wharf, accessible via taxi or bus #51. Tickets are ¥75 for the trip to Gulangyu, and ¥28 for the trip back to Xiamen; the ferry ride takes about 20 minutes.

To go around by bicycle is a great way to explore Xiamen, except Gulangyu where bikes are forbidden. Try the Island Ring Road (Huándǎo Lù) which has an extra path for bicycles along much of its length. Start at Xiamen University Beach and go up until the International Exhibition Center. There are various rental stations on the Huándǎo Road, starting at ¥70 per day. Enjoy the sunshine while cruising next to the sea. If you leave the bicycle path, be cautious about the traffic.

Motorcycles are forbidden everywhere on Xiamen Island and enforcement is quite strict in the central areas (e.g. Yundang Lake, Zhongshan Road, etc.). In other areas, enforcement is more relaxed and some people do ride, but this risks a fine or even police seizure of the bike. Motorcycles are allowed in the mainland suburbs (Jimei, Tong'an, Haicang or Xiang'an), but see Driving in China for some cautions.

Talk

The main local language is called Minnan phrasebook|Minnan Hua (Southern Min speech) in Chinese, and in China usually just Minnan in English. It is also widespread in Southeast Asia, where it is known as Hokkien, and in Taiwan where it is called Taiwanese. All these variants are mutually intelligible and the Xiamen version is the standard, so Xiamen is an excellent place to learn Minnan. Minnan is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin, Cantonese or even with other Min (Fujian) dialects, though it is to a certain extent mutually intelligible with Teochew phrasebook|Teochew, which is spoken across the border in Guangdong province.

As anywhere in China Mandarin is almost universally spoken, at least by educated people, since it has been the only language used in education, government and most media since the 1950s. Also, like other prosperous coastal cities, Xiamen has many migrants from other parts of China, most of whom speak Mandarin but not Minnan.

Foreigners staying in Xiamen long term generally choose to learn Mandarin instead of (occasionally, as well as) Minnan because Mandarin is so much more broadly useful. Go a hundred miles from Xiamen in any direction, except across the Taiwan Strait, and no-one will speak Minnan; the local language will be something completely different. Go anywhere in China, though, and most people you meet will speak Mandarin. That being said, attempts to speak Minnan are most certainly appreciated by local residents, and might even be crucial for breaking into local social circles.

English is not widely spoken. You can expect reasonable-to-excellent English from staff in higher end hotels, tourist shops, and the many restaurants that cater to expatriates. Elsewhere the range is likely to be none-to-limited, with the occasional exception. This is a Chinese-speaking city with some English facilities, not somewhere like Amsterdam or even Hong Kong where an English-only traveller can expect to cope quite easily.

You can survive and have a good time in Xiamen speaking only English more easily than in most Chinese cities, but there will be difficulties. You will need some help from Chinese friends or hotel staff — things like writing down a destination in Chinese or giving directions by cell phone — because the cab drivers generally have no English. English is OK for high-end restaurants, but if you want to eat more cheaply or more adventurously then you need to learn some Chinese or bring along a translator.

Learning some Mandarin opens up most of the city to you. The only areas where knowing some Minnan, or bringing along a local guide, are likely to be crucial is if you want to get out into the nationside, shop in a farmers' market, or buy from fishermen at the docks.

What to see in Xiamen

Xiamen has a few large clumps of interesting stuff to see. Gulangyu may be the main tourist area, but there is quite a lot on Xiamen Island as well, and some out in the suburbs.

North of the lake

Yundang Lake - Looking northwest across the lake from Bailuzhou Park

One is the area around Yundang Lake. The north side has a large group of restaurants (see #Around the lake|below) plus a rather pretty lakeside park area with a walkway right down by the water. Around dawn and dusk, you can watch the egrets (symbol of Xiamen, used as the logo for Xiamen - Airlines) flying to and from the lake.

At night and there is a bit of a light show; many buildings (especially around the south side of the lake) have laser or LED displays that attract attention, sort of an advertisement by commercial buildings and some residential complexes to draw attention to their business. This sort of thing is fairly common in Chinese cities, but Xiamen has more of it than most others. It is best seen from the north side, augmented by reflections in the lake. This is not really an attraction in itself, just a nice extra for anyone imbibing in a lakeside café.

Bailuzhou Park - 白鹭洲公园 | A large park that includes hotels, restaurants and shopping. Go around 8:30PM and enjoy the vendors, music, and dancing.

Around the university

Xiamen Daxue 20120226-01 - Xiamen University Another is the area around Xiamen University. In Chinese, it is 厦门大学, Xiàmén dàxué, usually abbreviated to Xiada. This is Fujian's most prestigious university and the province's only "national key university" controlled by the central government in Beijing rather than by the provincial education department.

To get there, take a 20-minutes walk south from the Zhongshan Road and Gulangyu ferry area, along either Lujiang Road or Siming Road, jump in a taxi or take a bus. Buses that go to the main gate include #1, 15, 18, 21, 29, 71 and 82. #2 or 22 go to other parts of the university.

The university has a beautiful campus with old traditional buildings, extensive gardens and a small lake. Among the attractions are a small but interesting Anthropological Museum (straight ahead and a bit to the right from the main gate) and a large bookstore with quite a few high-grade Chinese art books and (by Chinese standards) a fine selection of English books. Entrance via the main gate may be restricted on busy holidays; use one of the three smaller gates which are across from Baicheng beach.

Xiamen Nanputuo 20120226-04 - Nanputuo Temple

Just outside the main university gate is the south end of Siming Road, generally referred to as Xiada Street. This is a lively area of shops, street stalls and restaurants; it is only perhaps 150 m long, but packs a lot into that space, plus a few smaller streets running off it. There is also a large bookstore here, good as the university store for art books, but better for CDs and DVDs. Because this area caters to the student market, it tends to have a lot of fairly affordable stuff. You need to bargain to get good prices. Few of the vendors speak English, but there are sometimes helpful English-speaking students about.

Nanputou Temple - 南普陀寺 | This is a large Buddhist temple parts of which are over a thousand years old, mainly dedicated to the bodhisatva Guan Yin who is sometimes described as the Goddess of Mercy. Mount Putuo in Zhejiang is one of China's greatest Buddhist temples; "Nanputuo" means "south Putuo". Visitors can climb the mountain behind the temple for stunning vistas of Xiamen and surrounding nature. The mountain is also littered with small enclaves with hundreds of Buddhist statuettes.

Xiamen-Above-the-Clouds Observation Deck - 云上厦门观光厅 | Probably the best place to see Xiamen's skyline. The observation deck sits atop Building B of the 300-metre high Shimao Cross-Strait Plaza twin-tower complex.

Beach and boardwalk

From the university to Hulishan Fortress is about five kilometers (three miles) of boardwalk along the beach; it runs parallel to the Huandao Lu ring road. Plans call for it to eventually extend all the way to the Conference Center, roughly doubling its current length. Along it are bicycle rental places, many food stalls and restaurants, and various other attractions:

Xiamen Hulishan Paotai 20120226-04 - Hulishan, 19th century fortifications

Hulishan Fortress - 胡里山炮台 | Xiamen has always been vulnerable to attack from the sea and various fortifications have been built over the centuries. The Ming built a fort to defend against Japanese pirates in 1387. The remains of Koxinga's fortifications from the late 1600s are now a tourist attraction on Gulangyu. Cold War perioid tourist attractions on Taiwan-controlled Kinmen off the coast include guns built for shelling Xiamen and bunkers built to protect against shells from Xiamen. ; The Hulishan Fortress was built in 1894 as part of China's Westernization Movement. The architecture is in a Qing Dynasty style. On the front of the platform there are “Wanggui platform” and “Pangui platform”, from which you can see the Dadan and Xiaodan islands through a telescope. In the yard of the cannon platform there is a gorgeous wall sculpture named “the Soul of the Nation” and a water fountain.

Music Plaza - 音乐广场 | A park-like area along the boardwalk with sculptures of/about many famous composers and musicians, both Western and Chinese. Look for the public toilets with the musical notes on the wall, or a large red sculpture that looks somewhat like an open fan.

Other sights

There are a number of other sights outside these main areas:

10,000-Rock Botanical Garden - Wànshí Zhìwùyuán 万石植物园 | Over two square kilometers (500 acres) of gardens, some dedicated to particular plants such as bamboo, palms or coniferous trees, with a lake, bridges, several temples, a network of footpaths, a bonsai exhibit, and an exhibit hall with over a thousand types of flowers.

Xiamen Culture and Art Centre - 厦门文化艺术中心, Xiamen Wenhua Yishu Zhongxin | Both a museum and a performance venue. The Xiamen Library is here too.

Xiamen Museum - 厦门市博物馆 | The city's main museum.

Xiamen Science and Technology Museum - 厦门科技馆 | Xiamen Culture and Art Centre, 95 Tiyu Road, Siming District (思明区体育路95号厦门文化艺术中心) GPS: 24.4932653391, 118.1032494498
Xiamen Culture House - 厦门市文化馆 | Incorporates the Xiamen Art Museum (美术馆). Cultural performances, including music, dance and drama shows are also held in this building.

Xiamen Municipal Library - 厦门市图书馆 | The library sometimes hosts special events and exhibitions.

Overseas Chinese Museum - 华侨博物院 | A museum of Overseas Chinese culture and history, started by Tan Kah Kee who also founded Xiamen University. The #21 bus, from the train station to the university with a Zhongshan Road stop, has a stop at the museum.

Xiamen Olympic Museum - 厦门奥林匹克博物馆 | A museum about the Olympic Games. Established with the approval of the International Olympic Committee and the China Olympic Committee.

Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park - 五缘湾湿地公园 | Xiamen's largest wetland park, covering an area of about 85 hectares or about half the size of Gulangyu Island.

What to do in Xiamen

Xiamen-Zhongshan gongyuan dragon - Dragon sculpture, Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park - 中山公园 | A large park named for Dr. Sunday Yat Sen (Sun Zhong Shan in Mandarin), leader of the 1911 revolution that overthrew the Qing and established the Republic of China. It has a statue of him, several gardens, a small zoo, a flower exhibit hall, a lake with rental paddle boats, dance shows, and bumper cars.

Kite surfing | Training with English speaking IKO-certified instructors, equipment for sale and storage, compressor and shower facilities.

Xiamen Mandarin Fun School - 厦门汉风堂汉语学校 | A registered private school specializing in teaching Chinese to Foreign Muslims, with lessons for students at different levels.

Xiamen Marathon - An international marathon race run every year in Xiamen on the first Saturday in January. This is a large event; it had over 50,000 runners in 2013. Some of the world's top long distance runners compete and their times are impressive; in 2014 the men's winner was Mariko Kiplagat at 2:08:06 and women's Mare Dibaba 2:21:36. The course is mostly along the Huándǎo Lù ring road with the finish line right downtown near the Gulangyu ferry dock. If you book well ahead you might get a room at the Lujiang Harbourview Hotel with a balcony overlooking the finish line.

Guanyinshan Fantasy Beach Holiday Resort - 观音山梦幻海岸度假区 | A major amusement park on Xiamen Island's east coast.

Trade fairs

Xiamen is host to many influential trade shows. A majority of the Xiamen exhibitions are located at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center (XICEC)', listed as one of the world's top exhibition centers by Trade Show Executive.

The China Xiamen Machinery and Electronics Exhibition (CXMEE), also called the Straits Fair since it is run as a joint venture with a Taiwan organisation, is downtown (on Hubin Bei Lu) in the Spring.
The China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) is held at XICEC.
The annual China International Garden and Flower Exposition takes place in a different city each year. It was in Xiamen in 2007, and a large Water Garden Expo Park was built to host it (details at Jimei#See); presumably it will return there sometime.
There is an annual Xiamen International Stone Fair at the XICEC from March 6-9 and reserved for industry professionals.
The biannual Xiamen Buddhist Fair is held in the Spring and Autumn is generally open to the public, but is oriented towards industry professionals.
An annual Xiamen Tea Fair takes place in October and is open to the public for retail purchases of tea products. It is the world's largest of its kind. See China#Tea for background.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Xiamen

Zhongshanrd2 - Zhongshan Road

Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street (中山路步行街) runs inland off Lujiang Road (which runs along the coast) near the Gulangyu ferry terminal, through a historical part of the city. This is major shopping area with interesting smaller streets off it. The opening time is generally from 9AM to 10PM The buildings along Zhongshan Road combine a European architecture style with Chinese.

Other major shopping streets in the area are Siming Road and Jukou Street. The area also has many smaller streets with shopping; most are off to the left as you come up Zhongshan Road from the sea.

As you come along Zhongshan from the sea, you can look for a set of stairs going off to your right a short way along; these lead to a smaller parallel street with many little shops and street vendors. From the inland end of that (Siming Road), turn left to get back to Zhongshan Road at the inland end of the pedestrian area.

Xiamen University Street is actually half a street because the other side is part of Nanputuo Temple. Hundreds of shops line the street which is only a few hundred meters. Most of these shops sell garments and cultural things, and the book stores are also worth a look. Since they cater to students and these stores are often more reasonably priced than other areas, but some haggling may be needed to get the best prices.

There is also much tourist-oriented shopping on Gulangyu.

Xiamen has a number of modern enclosed shopping malls or large standalone chain stores. Here are some of the main ones:

World Trade Mall | Includes a huge Walmart.

Robinson Plaza | Has a Tesco, Britain's largest chain.

SM Laiya - SM City Plaza or SM Lifestyle Center | Two large shopping malls that are part of the Filipino SM chain; the company founder was born in Xiamen.

Wanda Plaza - Wanda Guangchang | Newer (2023) mall with Uniqlo, a large Japanese clothing chain.

Metro | A German chain well established in China, catering mainly to restaurants and hotels. For Western groceries it is often better than Walmart or Tesco, but some items are sold only in bulk quantities.

Most of these sell everything from fresh vegetables to clothing and LCD TV's.

Muslim Friendly Food & Restaurants in Xiamen

To be updated

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Xiamen

Xiamen - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Xiamen, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Xiamen. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Xiamen and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Xiamen. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Xiamen. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inXiamen: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Xiamen.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Xiamen: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Xiamen, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Xiamen.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Xiamen, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Xiamen, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Xiamen and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Xiamen, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Xiamen, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Xiamen without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Xiamen is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Xiamen.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Xiamen is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Xiamen, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Xiamen Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Xiamen

eHalal Group Xiamen is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Xiamen. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Xiamen.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Xiamen ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Xiamen. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Xiamen, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Xiamen are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

This lists accommodation on Xiamen Island only. Staying in Jimei instead might save a little money and could be reasonably convenient if you choose a place near a BRT stop. There is also plenty of accommodation on Gulangyu.

.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26242&currency=eur&Le+Méridien+Xiamen&hotelId=147221&&.Zz1588b332abb24f9aa7c2425-206204 Le Meridien Xiamen - 厦门艾美酒店] | Surrounded by open spaces and lush vegetation. Nestled on a slope of Xianyue Hill. Breathtaking views of Xiamen Bay.

.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26242&currency=eur&Marco+Polo+Xiamen&hotelId=147167&&.Zz86df780dbdf648caaf8113c-206204 Marco Polo Hotel | This hotel is located on Yundang Lake, and offers a very good international buffet and a great atmosphere.

.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26242&currency=eur&Millennium+Harbourview+Hotel+Xiamen&hotelId=147168&&.Zz774be4079ed942d3929091d-206204 Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen | Located in downtown Xiamen which is a major shopping and business neighborhood and the hotel is only minutes away on foot to the ferry to Gulangyu Island. It features a 22-story building that houses 352 rooms that include various business facilities including a work-desk and high speed Internet access.

.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26242&currency=eur&Pan+Pacific+Xiamen%28Near+the+Ferry+to+Gulang+Island+and+Metro+Station%29&hotelId=147170&&.Zzed4be62500b3420c98ab23e-206204 Pan Pacific Xiamen - A super modern hotel, formerly Xiamen Sofitel. The rooms use a lot of glass and modern design techniques. The hotel also has an excellent ¥200 lunch buffet.

.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26242&currency=eur&Sheraton+Xiamen+Hotel&hotelId=147218&&.Zzc2ce0b71f26d4a3eb09f9a6-206204 Sheraton Xiamen Hotel - International chain hotel to grace Xiamen's shores. It is very plush, and the Waves Pan Asian buffet is very good.

.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26242&currency=eur&FLIPORT+Hotel+Xiamen+Software+Park&hotelId=147238&&.Zz902aebff224040bc9e9c644-206204 Xiamen Fliport Software Park Hotel - Luxury hotel in a software park development area near the airport

Connect

There are consulates in Xiamen for:

The Philippines - ☎ +86 592 513-0366

Singapore No. 189, Xiahe Road #05-07/08, The Bank Centre ☎ +86 592 268-4691
Thailand - Building No.3 (City Hotel Xiamen), No. 16 Hu Yuan Road ☎ +86 592 202-7980 - Visa section open only 09.00-11.30

Go next

Fujian|Hakka Tulou – 3-5 hours west of Xiamen are these large earthen structures where a number of residences are built inside a single fortified compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Sites|UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quanzhou – This ancient city has come down in the world a bit since Marco Polo sailed home from there around 1290 and described it as one of the two busiest ports on Earth and incredibly rich. However, it is still well worth a visit. The old fortress town of Chongwu is located farther east, and has direct buses from Xiamen.
Liu'ao – a windswept peninsula with long beaches and strange rock formations, south of Xiamen.