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July 6, 2025

Ultimate 3-Day Family Travel Guide to Xiamen: Coastal Adventures & Cultural Treasures

Explore Xiamen's family-friendly attractions, savor local delicacies, and discover hidden gems with our expert-curated 3-day itinerary for mid-range travelers.

Family TravelCity ExplorationMid-Range Travel

Quick Overview

Chinese Name: 厦门

Location: Fujian Province, Southeast China

Famous For: Coastal cityscape blending tropical scenery with modern architectureUNESCO World Heritage Site - Gulangyu IslandVibrant seafood culture

Daily Cost: $80-120 USD per person

Best Season: Mar-May / Sep-Nov

Why Xiamen Makes Perfect Family Escape

This coastal gem combines tropical island charm with urban sophistication. From Gulangyu Island's musical heritage to Zhongshan Road Walkway's colonial architecture, Xiamen offers interactive museums, scenic parks, and safe pedestrian zones perfect for families. Children will love the interactive exhibits at Xiamen Science and Technology Museum while parents appreciate the well-connected public transport.

Optimal Seasons for Xiamen Family Holidays

Ideal Seasons: Spring (Mar-May) & Autumn (Sep-Nov) offer 20-28°C temperatures with minimal rainfall

🌱Spring: Mild weather ideal for outdoor exploration. Enjoy blooming flowers at Xiamen Botanical Garden.

☀️Summer: Hot and humid with frequent typhoons. Best for indoor attractions like Huli Mountain Fortress.

🍁Autumn: Perfect autumn conditions for cycling along Huandao Road's oceanfront bike lanes.

❄️Winter: Cooler temperatures (12-20°C) with occasional showers. Great time to experience local hot pot at Shuzhuang Garden Restaurant.

Arriving in Xiamen: Airports, Trains & Local Transit

Family-friendly options include Metro Lines 1&2 ($0.75-1.50 fare), bike rentals ($2/hour), and designated taxi lanes. Use Alipay/WeChat QR code for contactless payments.

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [Recommended]

40 minutes from city center via airport shuttle ($10) or taxi ($25-30). Direct trains available to major cities in Fujian province.

Xiamen North Railway Station

High-speed rail connections to Fuzhou (1.5h), Quanzhou (30m), and Shanghai (5h). Taxi from station costs $15-20.

Best Neighborhoods for Family Accommodation

Zhongshan Road

Historic area with pedestrianized street, budget-friendly hotels like Tianyuan Century Hotel, and easy access to night markets.

Cengcuo'an Village

Quaint seaside community with boutique guesthouses like Blue Bayview Homestay, offering ocean views and local cuisine.

Huli District

Modern business district with family suites at Xiamen Concorde Hotel and proximity to SM City Plaza shopping center.

Top 5 Family Attractions in Xiamen

Gulangyu Island

UNESCO Heritage Site with piano museum, exotic gardens, and car-free environment perfect for strolling. Catch sunset at Sunlight Rock

Xiamen Science and Technology Museum

Interactive exhibits including earthquake simulator, space exploration dome, and children's discovery zone. Great rainy day option.

Huandao Road

24km oceanfront promenade perfect for family cycling. Stop at Baicheng Beach for sandcastle building and sunset views.

Tips

Purchase Xiamen Family Tourist Card for 20% discounts on major attractions and unlimited ferry rides to Gulangyu

Xiamen Culinary Journey: What to Eat with Kids

Recommended Restaurants

1. Xiamen Ocean Restaurant

Overwater dining with aquarium tunnels. Offers children's menus and fish-feeding shows.

2. Zhongshan Park Restaurant

Traditional Fujian cuisine in garden setting. Famous for their frog-leg soup and interactive tea ceremony demonstrations.

3. Baowang Vegetarian Restaurant

Eco-friendly eatery serving creative plant-based dishes using local produce, perfect for health-conscious families.

Signature Dishes

Smiling child holding spoon next to steaming bowl of Sha Cha noodles

1. Sha Cha Noodles

Xiamen's signature peanut-butter flavored broth with shrimp and beef slices. Try at Caijia Sha Cha Noodles - they offer kid-sized portions.

2. Oyster Omelette

Crispy pan-fried oysters with egg batter and sweet chili sauce. Yuyuan Snack Shop prepares kid-friendly versions with less spice.

3. Thousand-layer Cake

Multi-hued steamed cake from Cengcuo'an. Visit Hai Bing Tang bakery for colorful children's sizes.

Xiamen 3-Day Family Itinerary

DAY 1

Ferry to [[Gulangyu Island]]:Take early morning ferry to avoid crowds. Rent stroller at码头入口.

🍳Breakfast at [[Shuzhuang Garden Restaurant]]:Scenic seaside dining with dim sum and tropical fruits

Visit [[Xiamen Piano Museum]]:Interactive exhibits where children can play historic instruments

🥗Lunch at [[Caijia Sha Cha Noodles]]:Sample local specialty with optional seafood additions

Explore [[Sunlight Rock]] trails:Easy jungle pathways with observation decks offering island views

DAY 2

Visit [[Xiamen Science and Technology Museum]]:Hands-on exhibits including earthquake simulator and planetarium shows

🥗Lunch at [[Baowang Vegetarian Restaurant]]:Healthy plant-based meals with fun vegetable-shaped dumplings

Explore [[Zhongshan Road Walkway]]:Shop for souvenirs and try street snacks like peanut brittle

🍽️Dinner at [[Yuyuan Snack Shop]]:Family-friendly setting serving adapted local specialties

DAY 3

🍳Breakfast at hotel:Enjoy international breakfast buffet

Bike rental along [[Huandao Road]]:Family-friendly cycling with dedicated bike lanes and scenic ocean views

🥗Lunch at [[Baicheng Beach]] cafe:Light meals with oceanfront seating while children play

Visit [[Huli Mountain Fortress]]:Interactive historical site with daily cannon demonstrations

🍽️Dinner at [[Xiamen Ocean Restaurant]]:Dine surrounded by marine life with special children's menus

Xiamen Travel FAQs

Best Plan

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