Xiamen

Xiamen is a major city on the southeast (Taiwan Strait) coast of the People's Republic of China in Asia. Xiamen comprises of Xiamen Island (where it is located), Gulangyu Island, and part of the rugged mainland coastal region.

In Xiamen centre, the Sightseeing Tour Bus departs from the People's Conference Hall every 30 minutes (one way only). Use your ticket to use local buses for your return journey. More information is available at Tourist Information Points at various points in the city, such as the train station and airport.

South Putuo Temple is a famous ancient temple in Xiamen, sitting in 25.8 hectares.

Located south of Fujian province, Mt Wuyi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is noted for its breath-taking landscape. Wuyishan Nature Reserve is well known for its abundance of deep canyons, dense forests, waterfalls, animals (many of them endangered), flora and fauna.

Hulishan Fortress is a key national historical and cultural site, built in 1894. It displays more than 50 iron cannons from the Ming and Qing Dynasty, unearthed from Xiamen waters.

The Overseas Chinese Museum displays more than 7000 exhibits and is divided into six sections.

Gulangyu Island stands opposite Xiamen City across the sea. It is a quiet pedestrian-only island, full of natural scenic spots including the Crag of Sunlight, Garden of Beans (Shuzhuang Huayuan) and Bright Moon Garden (Haoyueyuan).

Nanputuo Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in south Fujian. It was built in the Tang Dynasty and is located at the foot of the Five Old Peaks in Xiamen Island, next to Xiamen University.

Bailuzhou Park is a good place to take a walk, play games or relax. It is located in the downtown area and tall palm trees line the lakeside. The Egret Goddess is a good photo opportunity.

Haiwan Park is an inner city lake park incorporating seven different parks. The Avenue of Stars is a highlight, with ever changing LED light displays.

Taiwan Food Street is the first Taiwanese Food Street in mainland China. It assembles all the famous local snacks from the Shilin Night Market in Taipei, the Fengjia Night Market in Taichung and the Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung and is located in Renhe Road, Siming District.

Zhongshan Road is the commercial centre of Xiamen, with hundreds of shopping malls, restaurants and theatres. Head to Lady's Street, a section of Zhongshan Road, for up to date fashion and shoes. Good buys include gold and silver jewellery, jade items, art, antiques, calligraphy and paintings.

Fresh fish and seafood feature highly on menus especially shrimp, crab, scallops and lobsters.
Local dishes to try include shrimp dumplings, sea sedge cake, fried oyster and sleeve fish with soy sauce.

Xiamen International Cruise Terminal (or Xiamen-Jinmen Passenger Terminal) is located on Dongdu Road at the south side of the port on the western side of Xiamen Island.

Xiamen Cruise Port is located about 3km from downtown Xiamen, and around 7km from Xiamen train station.

A tourist bus departs from the ferry port and takes in numerous local attractions.

Taxis are plentiful and cheap. Many drivers do not understand English so make sure they know where you want to go and ensure they use their meters.