A Southern Coastal Gem · Where Sea Breeze Meets Culture

Xiamen, a city born by the sea and enriched by culture, offers a unique blend of balmy climate, open spirit, and profound heritage. Once a vital maritime hub for international trade, this graceful island city today is a harmonious fusion of elegance, vitality, and inclusiveness, welcoming travelers from all around the world.

Island Stories · Where History and Culture Converge

For centuries, Xiamen has served as a key stop along the Maritime Silk Road, connecting East and West through commerce and culture. This legacy gave rise to the city’s unique ‘Overseas Chinese culture.’ Strolling through the streets of Gulangyu or Zengcuoan, you’ll find European facades, Southeast Asian influences, and traditional Minnan architecture blending seamlessly—an enchanting walk through layered history.

Flavors of the City · Gifts from the Sea

Xiamen’s cuisine is a delicate conversation between land and ocean.

• Shacha Noodles: A local classic with rich, savory sauce paired with fresh shrimp, clams, and other seafood delights.

• Oyster Omelette: Crispy on the outside, tender within—a perfect mix of oysters, sweet potato starch, and egg.

• Five-Spice Rolls: A street-side favorite, filled with seasoned meat and fried to golden perfection.

• Grass Jelly Dessert (Shaoxian Grass): A sweet-and-savory childhood memory, refreshing and comforting.

Every dish here tells a story, both of the sea and of the people who live by it.

Folk Rhythms · Gentle Living

Xiamen embraces a philosophy of life that is both slow and refined. Locals take their tea at sunrise, walk along the seafront at dusk, and end their day with a comforting bowl of Shacha noodles under the ocean breeze. During the Lantern Festival season, you might even witness the traditional ‘Wangchuan’ (Boat Burning Ceremony), a coastal ritual honoring the sea with reverence and gratitude.

City Highlights · Must-See Sights in Xiamen

• Gulangyu Island: A UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as ‘Piano Island,’ it features European mansions, concert halls, and art museums, all exuding an air of nostalgic elegance.

• Nanputuo Temple & Xiamen University Beach: Hike to a sacred Buddhist temple and descend into a serene coastal view, where history and nature meet.

• Jimei School Village: Founded by renowned overseas Chinese philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, the area blends Western and Minnan styles, affectionately called ‘wearing a suit with a bamboo hat.’

• Huandao Road & Huli Fortress: Ride along coastal greenways with ocean waves at your side, embracing Xiamen’s freedom and vibrancy.