4.4/5
花过鱼It's been almost 10 months since my trip to Gulangyu Island in February 2025, and I'm only now starting to write down my thoughts. The first thing that comes to mind isn't the island's highlights or its drawbacks, but its transportation. Almost everyone talks about not being stingy with your money on the island and buying a shuttle bus pass, which is what I was thinking too. However, from the moment I disembarked at Neicuo'ao Wharf, I searched for 10 minutes but couldn't find the ticket office. A volunteer pointed me to the ticket booth, but there was no one there. I asked someone nearby, and they said they weren't selling tickets anymore. It was only 3 PM! We couldn't even spend the money we wanted, but then, as we were leaving, we watched the shuttle bus, packed with people, drive away from where we disembarked… Where can I even complain about this? I had to explore the entire island on foot, but thankfully it wasn't too tiring. From disembarking at Neicuo'ao to boarding at Sanqiutian, besides the must-do counter-clockwise loop, I also visited Qin Garden, Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, and the Piano Museum. In nearly four hours, I managed to see most of it. Besides the usual must-see spots, the core of Gulangyu Island is its charming Western-style buildings. During the counter-clockwise journey, the island's style gradually changes. The section right after disembarking at Neicuo'ao Wharf, in the southwest of Gulangyu, is mainly natural scenery, featuring beaches typical of southern islands, tall palm trees, and the famous Sunlight Rock. From Shuzhuang Garden in the southeast corner, the style shifts; more buildings appear, and the alleys become denser, giving it that Gulangyu feel—each building has its own character, and every turn holds a promise of the unknown. The winding paths and turns, the side streets both reduce the crowds and slow down the passage of time. Although the architectural style is strikingly similar to Qingdao's Badaguan or Tianjin's Five Avenues, it lacks the rigid, straight lines of traditional buildings. Everything is adapted to the terrain, with buildings appearing in the most suitable locations, seemingly designed to fit the landscape. Gulangyu Island has numerous cafes and snack shops, but frankly, they're not very appealing. Unless you're simply stopping for a break, you can ignore them. Nothing on the island is particularly novel; you can find similar food on the mainland. Unless you dislike delayed gratification, in which case you can simply pay more for food on the spot. I'd heard that Gulangyu had cracked down on unlicensed tour guides, and the results seemed positive. During my trip to Xiamen, I didn't encounter a single salesperson. The entire trip to Gulangyu only cost 35 RMB per person for the ferry ticket, 50 RMB for Sunlight Rock, and 30 RMB for Shuzhuang Garden. The whole family's expenses on the island were less than the cost of a single dinner at the Eighth Market... This trip to Gulangyu was 2-3 hours shorter than expected. Our ferry tickets were for 9 am, and we were supposed to leave the island at 5 pm, meaning we'd spend the best part of the daytime on the island. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was already 3 PM when we left the hospital and arrived on the island. By 6:30 PM, it was basically dark, so we didn't have time to visit some of the smaller exhibits, which was a bit of a regret. Nevertheless, we did manage to gather some impressions of Gulangyu Island, which we can make up for with our eldest child another time. He missed out on the whole trip because of his illness, but he happily spent the afternoon playing on his phone in the hotel. He was quite happy at the time; he'll understand the regret when he's older!
4.6/5
_CF***14The most interesting part was the unusual plants. The succulent area was different from what I expected; most of them were giant and tall. We even caught the rainforest mist. The shuttle bus was perfect for people who aren't very physically fit. Thumbs up, definitely worth it!
4.6/5
Kris NgIs a good experience and interesting place to go. Worth the time and money!
44.7/5
Anonymous userHulishan Fortress retains its majestic century-old appearance, with its Krupp cannons still awe-inspiring. The weathered stone walls stand tall and unwavering, overlooking the Xiamen-Kinmen Strait. The fortress museum, 4D cinema, and Qing Dynasty military drills intertwine to create an immersive historical panorama, while VR interaction adds a novel touch. Tickets are affordable, and combined tickets are convenient. However, the exhibits are somewhat limited and maintenance is slightly lacking. It's especially beautiful for taking photos at dawn and dusk, and the nighttime light and shadow effects are romantic. Combining education, sightseeing, and family fun, it's a must-visit, lesser-known classic in Xiamen.
54.7/5
M51***54This stay was absolutely perfect! I was worried about not having enough time for breakfast because of my early morning schedule, but when I mentioned it to the front desk, they opened the dining area for us half an hour early. The hot porridge and snacks instantly soothed my fatigue from getting up early. They also kindly helped me extend my check-out time, so I didn't have to rush to pack my luggage. True quality is shown in the details; such heartwarming service will definitely make me choose this hotel again next time! (006.008: Enthusiastic attitude)
64.3/5
一枕槐安梦This was my first time dining on a cruise ship. The interactive activities on the third deck of the Hainan Rendez-Vous were quite good. The content certainly wasn't as extensive as what the bloggers filmed, but it was sufficient. If you're looking for something like a Douyin (TikTok) video, that would be even better. As for the actual event, perhaps due to the season, the program wasn't as extensive as those blogger videos, but overall it was still pretty good!
74.6/5
张家老飞侠Stepping into Nanputuo Temple, the aroma of incense mingles with the fragrance of ancient wood. Red walls and gray tiles reflect the blue sky, wind chimes tinkle softly on the eaves, and solemn Buddha statues stand within, where devout worshippers kneel in prayer. Walking around to the back of the temple, stone steps lead to Wulao Peak, lush with greenery along the way, where you might occasionally see monks strolling by. After descending the mountain, don't forget to try the vegetarian pastries outside the temple; the mung bean filling is sweet and refreshing. Here, there is no hustle and bustle, only a tranquil peace that calms the mind; even the wind carries a touch of Zen.
84.8/5
_TI***2dLoved it. Lots to do, you could spend all day there. Also make sure you hire a buggy. This place is huge.
94.2/5
雪公子From the top floor of the Shimao Twin Towers next to Yanwu Bridge, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Xiamen. It's recommended to go in the evening to see both the daytime and nighttime views. Half an hour is enough to appreciate the scenery…
104.7/5
真诚7577Jimei School Village, founded by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, comprises several schools including Jimei University and Jimei Middle School. Its unique architectural style blends traditional Minnan (Southern Fujian) traditions with Southeast Asian influences, earning it the nickname "Pearl of the Sea Garden." At night, Jimei School Village is brilliantly lit, with the night view around the Dragon Boat Pool being particularly enchanting. Strolling along the tree-lined paths of the campus, one can immerse oneself in its rich cultural atmosphere. For dinner, we recommend Jimei Dashe Satay Noodles near Jimei School Village. The satay broth is rich and flavorful, and the toppings are plentiful; it's a very popular local eatery.
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Enjoying the Red Leaves at Xiamen Botanical Gardens in Winter | Nov 2025-Dec 2025