https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/ruijin/best-things-to-do/10071159900000
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Ruijin [2025]
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Kulangsu
4.4
/5
52133 reviews
8.7
From US$0.71
Based on 5,737 reviews
Gulangyu Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Address: Gulangyu, Siming District, Xiamen City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Taste authentic Hokkien snacks on Kulangsu
Regular diverse concerts held
Saved by 1696 users17354 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Gulangyu, a famous island in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, is known as the "Garden on the Sea" and the "Piano Island." Below is a detailed introduction to Gulangyu:
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Basic Information
· Location: Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, across the sea from Xiamen Island.
· Area: Approximately 1.91 square kilometers.
· Features: A World Cultural Heritage Site (designated in 2017) and a national 5A-level tourist attraction, it is renowned for its historical international community, unique architecture, musical culture, and natural scenery.
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Major Attractions
1. Sunlight Rock
Gulangyu's highest point, at 92.7 meters above sea level, offers panoramic views of the entire island and Xiamen city. It is named after the spot where the sun first strikes it each morning.
2. Shuzhuang Garden
Built in 1913, it was originally the private villa of Taiwanese tycoon Lin Erjia. The garden, nestled by the sea, blends Jiangnan gardens with Western architectural styles and houses the renowned "Piano Museum." 3. Haoyue Garden
Built in commemoration of the national hero Zheng Chenggong, the garden features a towering statue of Zheng Chenggong, facing the sea, creating a majestic presence.
4. Gulangyu Piano Museum
Housing nearly 100 fortepianos from around the world, it showcases the musical heritage of Gulangyu, known as the "Piano Island."
5. Organ Museum
Located in the Bagua Tower, it is China's only organ museum, showcasing large pipe organs and a variety of organ collections.
6. International Architecture Exhibition
The island preserves a large number of buildings that blend Chinese and Western styles, including consulates, churches, and villas, reflecting the historical character of a modern international community.
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Cultural Highlights
· Musical Tradition: Gulangyu boasts the highest per capita piano ownership rate in China, giving rise to many musicians and earning the nickname "Piano Island."
· Historical Background: From the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, consulates, expatriates, and wealthy merchants from various countries settled here, forming a unique community with a diverse blend of cultures. Car-Free Island: Motor vehicles are prohibited on the island. Walking or electric scooters are the primary modes of transportation, creating a tranquil and pleasant environment.
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Food and Specialties
Snacks: Southern Fujian delicacies such as shacha noodles, fried oysters, fish ball soup, and peanut soup.
Specialties: Pies, dried meats, tea (such as Tieguanyin), and handmade cultural and creative products.
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Travel Tips
Transportation: Take a ferry from Xiamen Ferry Terminal to Gulangyu Island (tickets must be purchased in advance; visitors typically depart from the Cruise Center Xiamen-Gulangyu Terminal).
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn (October to April) offer pleasant weather, avoiding the summer heat and typhoon season.
Recommendation: Reserve one to two days to wander the alleys, admire the architecture, experience the culture, and explore the island's surroundings.
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Gulangyu Island, a blend of natural beauty, history, and art, is a core destination in Xiamen, perfect for cultural exploration, leisure vacations, and photo opportunities.
Gulangyu, this picturesque pearl of the sea, has long been a dream destination for tourists. Setting foot on this charming island is like stepping back in time, entering a wondrous world of history, culture, and cuisine.
Gulangyu's architecture is truly remarkable, a testament to history and a vivid reflection of its diverse cultural fusion. The island boasts a rich variety of architectural styles, ranging from Western influences like Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque to traditional Southern Fujian architecture. Strolling through the streets of Gulangyu, each building resembles a work of art, inviting pause for admiration.
Bagua Tower, one of Gulangyu's iconic landmarks, blends ancient Greek, Roman, and Islamic architectural styles. Its red dome gleams in the sunlight, creating a truly magnificent sight. Standing before the Bagua Tower, one feels a sense of the weight and vicissitudes of history. Shuzhuang Garden is a perfect fusion of Southern Fujian style and Western garden art. Built along the sea, the garden boasts pavilions, towers, rockeries, ponds, and a piano museum housing a collection of precious pianos. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful sea views while immersing yourself in the charm of music.
In addition to these famous buildings, Gulangyu's alleys are home to numerous unique old villas. Most of these villas date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many overseas Chinese and foreigners settled on the island, bringing with them diverse architectural styles and cultural philosophies. These villas boast exquisite exteriors and luxurious interiors, each detail reflecting the taste and status of their owners. Some still retain original furniture and decorations, evoking a sense of the prosperity of those days.
Having discussed the architecture, let's discuss Gulangyu's snacks. Gulangyu's snacks are diverse, with unique flavors that are sure to make you salivate. Among them, the most famous is Gulangyu Pie. Made with mung beans, winter melon, and other ingredients, Gulangyu Pie boasts a crispy crust and a soft, glutinous filling that's sweet but not greasy. It's not only a delicacy but also a unique souvenir from Gulangyu Island. Many tourists buy several boxes to take home and share with friends and family.
Fish ball soup is also a Gulangyu specialty. Gulangyu fish balls are handmade from fresh marine fish. The fish balls are tender and springy, and the broth is delicious. On a cold winter day, a bowl of steaming hot fish ball soup warms you up. Other snacks like satay noodles and earthworm jelly are also unique and worth trying.
It's worth mentioning that Gulangyu Island also has a heartwarming story with Academician Zhong Nanshan. Born into a medical family on Gulangyu Island, his father, Zhong Shifan, was a renowned pediatrician in my country. Academician Zhong spent a wonderful childhood on Gulangyu Island, where every plant, tree, brick, and tile left a deep impression. The tranquility and beauty of Gulangyu Island cultivated his resilience and love of life.
Many years later, Academician Zhong Nanshan became a famous respiratory disease expert in my country. In the fight against major public health events such as SARS and the COVID-19 pandemic, he stepped forward and made great contributions to the country and the people.
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Xiamen Botanical Garden
4.6
/5
16011 reviews
8.6
From US$4.21
Based on 249 reviews
Xiamen University Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8605922985935
Address: No. 25, Huyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Exotic Flowers and Trees: Trending Spot
40,000 sq ft rare cacti
Saved by 934 users12960 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Absolutely amazing! Absolutely amazing! Absolutely amazing! Northerners must see it! 👀! The araucaria forest lawn, planted by national leaders, is incredibly photogenic! The succulent world boasts a variety of saguaro cacti and prickly pear cacti, and the desert environment makes for stunning photos! It's just incredibly hot! 😅 The rainforest world is also fantastic, with a riot of tropical plants, it feels like entering a secret rainforest. The ginger world is also very interesting, though not ginger-related, but filled with various bananas—traveler's palms of all sizes, tall and short. The flowers are beautiful, and the photos are great too. Best of all, it's less crowded and more relaxing! The vine world leads directly to the back of Wufeng Mountain (Nanputuo Temple), making it a seamless journey. Climb to the top and then descend to the temple. Be aware that there are no supplies along the way, so be sure to buy water and food at the botanical garden before climbing.
The attraction is average.
The staff at the scenic area are eager for you to buy the shuttle bus. The alternative is to hike up the mountain, which is very tiring.
There's a nice children's play area with a swan pond, a children's playground, a fish pond, and a temple.
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Zhonggu Cable Car
4.6
/5
6809 reviews
8.4
From US$11.22
Based on 14 reviews
Zhongshan Road Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8605924000918168
Address: No. 25-110, Huyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-1.5 hours
Highlights:
82 cabins reduce wait time
3280 ft skywalk for Zhonggu & Drum Hills
Saved by 1014 users5191 positive reviews
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Overall, it is highly recommended, especially in the evening at sunset. The only inconvenience is that even if you buy tickets online, you still have to queue up on site to pick up the tickets. If you go during peak holiday season, it is recommended to buy them online. If you go during normal times, you can buy them on site and there is no need to buy them online in advance.
It's a good hike, with beautiful views. The round trip takes 40 minutes, and aside from being a bit hot in the summer, there aren't any other issues.
The waiting time is about 30 minutes (at 10 AM on a summer weekend).
No.
4
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Wuyishan National Park
4.6
/5
12095 reviews
8.1
From US$9.82
Based on 465 reviews
Wuyishan Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8605995135110
Address: Wuyishan National Tourism Resort, Nanping City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 days
Highlights:
Rafting & climbing at Wuyi
360° view of Nine-Bend Stream
Saved by 347 users6482 positive reviews
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If you are not in a hurry, you can choose a two-day ticket, which is 15 yuan more than a one-day ticket. The scenery is really beautiful, but the attractions are scattered and there is no cable car, which is more strenuous. You must climb Tianyou Peak, and the scenery along the way is very beautiful.
The Jiuqu River rafting is worth going. It takes about an hour and a half to raft. The guy who paddles the raft is very humorous and talkative. In addition to paddles the raft safely and steadily, he also introduces the scenery along the way.
No.
5
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Pingxiang Wugong Mountain Scenic Area
4.5
/5
9572 reviews
8.1
From US$9.82
Based on 63 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8607992106666
Address: Luxi, Pingxiang, Jiangxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Tens of thousands of acres of meadows
Skywalk & rhododendrons & orchids
Saved by 162 users7022 positive reviews
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Wugong Mountain is incredibly beautiful, shrouded in mist and shrouded in a celestial aura. Springs abound, along with alpine meadows and vibrant mountain flowers. Transportation is convenient: buses run every 10 minutes from Pingxiang North Station to the Wugong Mountain Visitor Center.
The scenery of Wugong Mountain is very good. When you reach the Golden Summit, you can see a very beautiful sea of clouds. It is said that the sea of clouds is best seen after the rain, and it is best to see the sea of clouds in the morning, because there is a high probability that it will be covered by clouds in the afternoon, resulting in nothing to see.
No.
6
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Gaoyi Mountain Tourism Resort
4.5
/5
3617 reviews
8.0
From US$13.32
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8607352672866
Address: Gaoyiling Village, Qiaokou Town, Suxian District, Quzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Danxia: landscapes, springs & caves
Via Ferrata & cliff swing thrills
Saved by 193 users3182 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery is really beautiful. Seeing such a scenery makes all my worries disappear. It's a pity that we can't visit all the attractions when we are traveling with our family, including the elderly and children.
Beautiful! I saw truly stunning scenery at Gaoyiling. I was very satisfied. I wouldn't recommend going to Ximen. It's quite remote and closed when we went.
No.
7
Yunshuiyao Scenic Area
4.4
/5
3805 reviews
7.8
From US$12.62
Yunshuiyao Ancient Town | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008885111
Address: 607 County Road, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Saved by 191 users2623 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A great experience, a separate earth building, the room inside is also a different world, very clean, the room is also very large, when it rains, drinking tea and chatting is very poetic, the breakfast is very good
Half an acre of flower fields is worth recommending. It is a homestay that looks like a garden. Many people who pass by come to the yard to take pictures and check in. It is very pleasing to the eye. It is quiet in the bustling city. It is very quiet. Sitting in the yard and drinking afternoon tea and chatting is also very pleasant. The lady is also very nice. She upgraded our room and arranged breakfast for us. The homestay is also very convenient to the scenic area and can be walked to.
No.
8
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Dongjiang Lake Tourist Area
4.5
/5
6318 reviews
7.8
From US$11.22
Based on 15 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +864004000073586
Address: Dongjiang Lake, Zixing, Chenzhou, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Glass walkway & stunning canyon
Mist-shrouded Dongjiang: ethereal beauty
Saved by 135 users4632 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Book online in advance and enter directly by swiping your ID card, which is very convenient. This trip focuses on a leisurely vacation and not rushing to visit attractions, so I didn't enter the site early and missed the foggy Xiaodong River and the fisherman casting his net. It's a little regretful, but I will come again next time.
The scenery is beautiful, with fog covering the Xiaodongjiang River, a paradise on earth. If you have time, you must walk there. Staying at the Yishang Hotel at the entrance of the Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area is perfect. It is only a few minutes' walk away, so you can sleep a little longer.
No.
9
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Hulishan Fortress
4.7
/5
14315 reviews
7.7
From US$3.51
Based on 138 reviews
Xiamen University Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8605922088313
Address: No. 2, Zengcuo Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Overlook Xiamen's ocean views
Daily Red Barbarian Cannon & Qing drill
Saved by 222 users6733 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The ticket price is 25 yuan per person, which is very cost-effective. I arrived around 10 o'clock in the morning just in time to watch the show. After watching the show, I walked around. The scenic area is very clean and comfortable, and there is a different world inside.
I'm used to receiving good reviews. The park isn't large, but the old trees, old paths, and old platforms are worth seeing. Unfortunately, the signage isn't clear, and several paths don't connect, so if you want to explore the entire park, you'll have to repeat many routes.
No.
10
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Qingyuan Mountain
4.4
/5
3063 reviews
7.7
From US$9.82
Based on 121 reviews
Weat Lake Park/Qingyuan Mountain | >100 km from downtown
Phone +86059522777675
Address: East side of Qingyuanshan Mountain Visitor Center, Fengze District, Quanzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic view of Quanzhou city
Overlook Quanzhou's cityscape & culture
Saved by 190 users1645 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Mother Mountain of Quanzhou people, those with average physical strength can take the scenic area bus up and down the mountain. There are food and drinks on the top of the mountain, mineral water is 7 yuan, Baisui Mountain is 10 yuan, if you climb the mountain by yourself, you can play for a whole day
The order was delivered on time, easy to use, fast and convenient, and overall it was OK. The order was delivered on time, easy to use, fast and convenient, and overall it was OK. The order was delivered on time, easy to use, fast and convenient, and overall it was OK. The order was delivered on time, easy to use, fast and convenient, and overall it was OK.
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