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Itinerary
Three days is the sweet spot for Xiamen if it's your first visit and you want to see the headliners without rushing. The itinerary assumes you land at Gaoqi Airport (or Xiamen North Station) on day 0 and leave on day 4.
Day 1 — Arrival and the island skyline
- Afternoon: check in around Shapowei or Zhongshan Road. Short walk along Yuandang Lake or Bailu Bay.
- Evening: sunset on Lujiang Road (views of Gulangyu from the mainland, no ferry needed); dinner on Zhongshan Road — satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup.
Day 2 — Gulangyu
- Morning: 08:30 ferry from Dongdu Cruise Terminal (book via "Xiamen Ferry+"). Climb Sunlight Rock before 10:30 to beat the crowds.
- Midday: lunch near Longtou Road; walk the consulates line.
- Afternoon: Shuzhuang Garden and the Piano Museum. Return ferry before 18:00.
- Evening: seafood dinner on Xiamen Island (Siming District).
Day 3 — Temple, University, art zone
- Morning: Nanputuo Temple (free, modest dress). Optional short climb behind the temple for the view.
- Lunch: Nanputuo's vegetarian restaurant, 60–120 CNY per head.
- Afternoon: walk Daxue Road along Xiamen University's seafront boundary to Shapowei Art Zone — former fishing harbour, now cafés, studios and live music.
- Evening: Zengcuoan night market for street food, or a Shapowei livehouse set.
Day 4 — onward. High-speed rail north to Quanzhou (25 min), Fuzhou (1h45) or Wuyi Mountain (3h); or extend one day to the tulou country (see the separate itinerary).