This Xiamen one-day tour guide explains how to visit Gulangyu Island, including a 3–4-hour stay, 35-yuan round-trip ferry, recommended wharf route, and what a chartered car can do.
Based on local expertise, this guide provides practical tips from experienced guides for planning a Xiamen one-day tour centered on Gulangyu Island, including ferry arrangements, walking time, attraction priorities, footwear, and chartered-car limitations.
Xiamen is a city on the southeastern coast of China. Here you can find a blend of coastline, colonial-era architecture, the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life in its streets and alleys, and modern seaside urban scenery.
If you have a day in Xiamen, how can you make the most of it? Check out this guide to learn how long to spend at which attractions in Xiamen, what you can and cannot do with a chartered car, and how to create a truly feasible day trip.
1. Gulangyu Island – The core area most worth staying in.
Gulangyu is the most representative place in Xiamen and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.This small island has no motor vehicles, only pedestrian paths, piano music, and century-old villas.On Gulangyu Island, red-brick old villas, churches, seaside walkways, and winding uphill paths intertwine, allowing visitors to understand the unique character of Xiamen as a modern port city.
Worth doing:
Climb Sunlight Rock—the highest point on the island—for panoramic views of the red rooftops and the sea.
Visit Shuzhuang Garden and the Piano Museum (the Piano Museum hosts scheduled performances).
Explore the old streets and villa area on foot.
Suitable for a stay of 3-4 hours
Important Note:
Round-trip ferry ticket is 35 yuan per person; we strongly recommend choosing the "Xiamen-Gulangyu Wharf → Sanqiutian Wharf" route – it's a 5-minute walk from the ferry disembarkation to Longtou Road Food Street, the closest to the core scenic area.
Chartered cars cannot enter Gulangyu Island—the entire island is on foot. The value of a chartered car lies in its service: it picks you up from your hotel to the pier and then picks you up again after your return trip to Gulangyu to take you to the next attraction. Comfortable, soft-soled shoes are recommended—the island is entirely on foot.
Who is it best suited for? All first-time visitors to Xiamen. Gulangyu Island is a must-see in Xiamen, without exception.
Recommended chartered car service：Gulangyu Island Tour Xiamen - Private Day Trip
2. Huandao Road – The best seaside route for driving and short stops.
The Ring Road is Xiamen's most beautiful coastal highway, stretching approximately 40 kilometers. For tourists who hire a car, this is the ideal "drive and see" route—you don't need to walk the entire way; you can sit in your car and slowly move along the coastline, stopping at several viewpoints to take photos.
Worth stopping at:
Baicheng Beach: Adjacent to Xiamen University, the beach is gentle and suitable for short stops and taking photos.
Music Square: A great spot to enjoy the sea breeze and sea views.
Huangcuo Beach: Relatively less crowded, suitable for quiet sea viewing.
One Country, Two Systems Beach: Offers distant views of Kinmen.
Multiple viewing platforms along the way, perfect for stopping and taking photos.
Suitable for a visit of 2-3 hours
Advantages of hiring a car:
The driver can stop at multiple points along the coastline for pick-up and drop-off at any time, so you don't need to wait in the scorching sun or backtrack. The pace is completely controllable—stop more at scenic spots you like and quickly skip over those you're not.
Who is it best suited for? Tourists who love sea views, enjoy taking photos, and don't want to walk too much in the scorching sun.
3. Nanjing Tulou – A Hakka Wonder and World Cultural Heritage Site
The Tulou in Nanjing is the furthest attraction from Xiamen on this trip, but it's the most worthwhile to make a special trip to. A chartered car from downtown Xiamen to the Nanjing Tulou scenic area takes about 1.5-2 hours one way. The round trip transportation plus sightseeing will take at least 5-6 hours. This means that if you choose to go to the Tulou, this day will basically revolve around them, and it's recommended not to include other major attractions like Gulangyu Island in your itinerary.
Tulou are large rammed earth residential buildings built by the Hakka people of Fujian Province. They come in various shapes, including round and square. With earthen walls that are 1-2 meters thick, intricate wooden structures, and a family-based lifestyle, these round fortresses are still inhabited today.
The Nanjing Tulou Scenic Area consists of three main areas: Tianluokeng Area, Yunshuiyao Area, and Hekeng Tulou Folk Culture Village Area.For day trips, choose one of the two options; don't try to do too many.
Yunshuiyao area (recommended):
Heguilou: The only square five-story earthen building, built on marshland, with a history of 300 years.
Huaiyuanlou: A representative of round earthen buildings, a filming location for the movie "Big Fish & Begonia".
Yunshuiyao Ancient Road: A picturesque landscape featuring a grove of ancient banyan trees, a stream, and a stone bridge.
Tickets: 90 RMB/person (48-hour multiple entries, including Yunshuiyao Ancient Road, Hegui Tower, and Huaiyuan Tower)
Chartering a car:
The Tulou (Hakka earthen buildings) are the best place to experience the value of a chartered car tour. The scenic area is located in a mountainous region, with significant distances between attractions and inconvenient public transportation. Chartering a car allows you to depart directly from your hotel in Xiamen, travel directly to the scenic area, and return directly after your visit, eliminating the hassle of transfers.
Who is this for? Tourists interested in architecture, history, and World Heritage sites. This is the most popular day trip destination around Xiamen, but it still requires a full day.
Recommended Itinerary:
Nanjing Tulou Tour from Xiamen by Private Car
Xiamen Tulou Day Trip - Nanjing & Yongding by Car
4. Anxi Tea Gardens – A Journey Through the Tieguanyin Tea Capital of China
Anxi is China's largest oolong tea producing area and the birthplace of the world-famous Tieguanyin tea, with a tea-producing history dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The journey from Xiamen city to Anxi by chartered car takes approximately 1.5 hours. A tea garden tour is suitable for tourists who enjoy a slower pace and are interested in tea culture.
Worth doing:
Stroll through the tea mountains and observe the tea trees up close.
Visit a tea factory and learn about the complete tea-making process from picking to roasting.
Taste Tieguanyin and other oolong tea varieties.
Learn about Chinese tea culture—Anxi's tea-growing history can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty.
Charter car tips:
Tea gardens are scattered throughout the mountainous area of Anxi, and public transportation is inconvenient. Chartering a car allows for flexible itineraries, departing from your Xiamen hotel, visiting the tea gardens, and then heading to Hongen Rock in the afternoon or returning directly to Xiamen.
Who is this tour suitable for? Tea lovers and tourists who enjoy a slow pace and natural scenery. It's recommended to combine this tour with Hongen Rock to create a one-day "tea + mountain scenery" itinerary.
Recommended Itinerary：Xiamen Anxi Tea Garden Tour to Huqiu Hong’en Rock
5. Guanghua Temple in Nanshan – one of the four major Buddhist temples in Fujian, older than Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen.
Nanshan Guanghua Temple is located at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, about 3 kilometers south of Putian city. The journey from Xiamen city by chartered car takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.
It is one of the four major Buddhist temples in Fujian Province, along with Gushan Temple in Fuzhou, Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen, and Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou. In 1983, it was listed as a key national Buddhist temple in Han Chinese areas, and in 1990, it was named the top model temple in the country.
Things to see:
Sakyamuni Buddha Pagoda: Built in the first year of the Qiandao reign of the Southern Song Dynasty (1165 AD), it is an octagonal, five-story hollow stone pagoda, 30.6 meters high. The pagoda is carved with two-headed Kalavinka birds (the mythical bird of sound in Buddhism), a masterpiece of Song Dynasty stone carving art.
Mahayana Hall: Built on a 2.7-meter-high platform, this grand hall features a raised-beam structure.
Release Pond and Stone Bridge: Release ponds are located on both sides, where turtles are often found.
Stone Sutra Pillar: An original artifact from the second year of the Zhiping reign of the Song Dynasty (1065 AD).
Tusita Heaven Palace: Dedicated to Maitreya Buddha.
Important Notes:
Admission: Free.
Opening Hours: Summer 6:00-18:00, Winter 6:30-17:30
Incense is provided free of charge inside the temple; no additional purchase is required.
Charter car tips:
Nanshan Guanghua Temple is located on the outskirts of Putian city. A chartered car can take you directly to the temple entrance. After a 1-1.5 hour visit, you can continue to the nearby Jiulong Valley National Forest Park, which is about a 30-40 minute drive away, making it a perfect day trip combination.
Who is it suitable for? Tourists interested in Buddhist culture, ancient architecture, and history. Compared to the crowds at Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen, Guanghua Temple offers a quieter and more authentic temple experience.
Recommended Itinerary：Xiamen Temple Forest Tour - Private Day Trip
6. Xiamen University and Nanputuo Temple – A Blend of Culture and Landscape
These two attractions are right next to each other, just a few minutes' walk apart, making them perfect for visiting together.
Xiamen University is often called "China's most beautiful university" by Chinese tourists. The campus is bordered by mountains on one side and the sea on the other, boasting a unique architectural style. Worth seeing are the exterior buildings, the Shangxian Field (stadium), and the Furong Tunnel (graffiti wall).
Important Notice Regarding Xiamen University Reservations:
Advance reservations are mandatory. Walk-in registration is not accepted.
The only official channels are: the WeChat official account "Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System" or the mini-program "Visit Xiamen University".
Nanputuo Temple is an ancient temple with a history of over a thousand years, located next to the south gate of Xiamen University. Admission is free and no reservation is required. You can receive a free incense stick at the entrance, visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Sutra Repository, and climb the Five Old Peaks behind the temple for panoramic views of Xiamen University and the sea.
Who is it best suited for? Tourists interested in culture, architecture, history, and religion.
7. Shapowei – Take photos and experience the atmosphere of the old port.
Shapowei was originally a typhoon shelter, and now it retains the framework of the old port while infusing it with an artistic flair. It boasts cafes, design shops, restaurants, and a unique atmosphere where the old and new towns intertwine.
Worth doing:
Experience the atmosphere of the old port and docks
Take street photos (the contrast between colorful walls, old fishing boats, and modern architecture)
Find a café to sit down and relax
Feel the boundary between old and new Xiamen
Chartering a car:
This can be combined with a visit to Zhongshan Road and Xiamen Botanical Garden.
The real role of chartering a car in a day trip in Xiamen
What are the advantages of hiring a car?
Hotel to ferry terminal transfer: Depart from your hotel early in the morning, no need to worry about finding a taxi or getting lost.
Connecting after returning from Gulangyu Island: Get on the car directly from the ferry terminal to your next destination, no need to look for a car near the ferry terminal.
Transferring between multiple viewpoints along the Ring Road: Stop whenever you want, go wherever you want, no need to backtrack.
Moving between Nanputuo Temple, Shapowei, and Zengcuo'an: These places are scattered in different areas, hiring a car ensures seamless connections between them.
Returning to the hotel in the evening: After a long day of sightseeing, get on the car directly back to your hotel.
What is it not suitable to do by hiring a car?
Not suitable to replace walking on Gulangyu Island: Gulangyu has no motor vehicles, so you must walk.
Not suitable to spend long periods stuck in popular shopping areas: Zengcuo'an and Zhongshan Road areas may be congested; it's best to get on and off at the outer edges.
Not suitable to cram all the attractions into one day: Xiamen is best enjoyed at a slower pace; fewer but more quality experiences are better than rushing.
Not suitable for tourists who only sit in the car without ever getting off: The best experience in Xiamen comes from walking and spending time by the sea.
Xiamen isn't a city for a rushed, check-off-the-press experience. It's better suited to slowly weave together the sounds of pianos on Gulangyu Island, the sea breeze along the Ring Road, the harbor lights of Shapowei, the incense smoke of Nanputuo Temple, and the nighttime views of the arcade buildings along Zhongshan Road.
If you only have one day, you can contact our travel agency and tell us your interests and schedule. We can customize a one-day tour just for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend on Gulangyu Island?
Plan to spend about 3–4 hours on Gulangyu Island. This allows time to visit Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, the Piano Museum, and the old streets and villa area on foot.
How much is the ferry to Gulangyu Island?
A round-trip ferry ticket costs 35 yuan per person. The recommended route is from Xiamen-Gulangyu Wharf to Sanqiutian Wharf.
Can a chartered car enter Gulangyu Island?
No, chartered cars cannot enter Gulangyu Island because the entire island is pedestrian-only. The car can take you from your hotel to the pier, collect you after the ferry return, and continue to the next attraction.
What should I wear when visiting Gulangyu Island?
Wear comfortable, soft-soled shoes because the island is explored entirely on foot. Visitors walk along pedestrian paths, seaside walkways, old streets, and winding uphill routes.
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