Atour Hotel (Gulangyu Pier Sea View)

The best time to visit Xiamen is from October to December, when temperatures are mild (21-30°C) and rain is scarce, with only 4-6 rainy days per month. Spring (March-April) is also pleasant but wetter, while June and August are the rainiest months, and July is the hottest. Avoid the humid summer stretch if you prefer dry, comfortable sightseeing.

Stay in Siming District for easy access to the ferry to Gulangyu and the old town, with hotels like The Westin Xiamen and Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour. Hu Li District suits those wanting a quieter, more residential feel, with options like Langham Place Xiamen. Haicang District offers a modern waterfront setting, where the DoubleTree by Hilton Xiamen Haicang is located. Choose Siming for sightseeing, Hu Li for calm, and Haicang for a newer area.

South Putuo Temple is a serene Buddhist complex with ornate halls and a hillside setting. Gulangyu, reached by ferry, offers car-free lanes, colonial-era villas, and the Piano Museum. The Wutong Passenger Wharf and Xiamen Tourism Passenger Wharf are gateways to island and coastal trips, with waterfront views. Zhongshan Road, a pedestrian street near the harbor, is lined with arcaded shops and local snacks.

You can take day trips to the Tianluokeng Tulou cluster, a UNESCO-listed group of earthen buildings, and to Taxia Village, known for its traditional Fujian architecture. The Zhangzhou Volcano National Park offers coastal rock formations, and Daimei Ancient Village shows old village life. Anxi tea gardens and Hongen Rock are also options for a day out. These tours are bookable full-day trips from Xiamen.

Plan 3 to 4 days. In 3 days, you can see South Putuo Temple, take a ferry to Gulangyu, and explore the city's waterfront and wharves. Add a fourth day for a day trip to the tulou villages or another nearby site, which needs an extra day beyond the city sights.