Ruth Haines
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is conveniently located close to downtown Xiamen, making it easy for travellers to explore the city during extended layovers. Xiamen and its surrounding areas have plenty to offer, from historical streets to scenic islands. Those with a long layover at Xiamen Airport can visit the city's top attractions, including the famous Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Road, and the Nanputuo Temple. Xiamen also offers visa-free transit for up to 72 hours for citizens of designated countries, making it a convenient destination for travellers looking to explore a new city during their layover.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nearby Attractions | Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Road, Xiamen Botanical Garden, Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University, Xiamen Piano Museum, Xiamen Shuzhuang Garden, Riguang Mountain, Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center, SM Town Plaza, Haiwan Park |
| Nearby Hotels | Lujiang Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone, Xianglu Grand Hotel, Fliport Garden Hotel Xiamen Airport |
| Nearby Landmarks | Jimei School Village, Xiamen University, Kulangsu Huandao Road, Zhongshan Road Walking Street, Xiamen Bailuzhou Park |
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What You'll Learn
Visit the nearby Xiamen University
Xiamen University is a public university in Siming, Xiamen, Fujian, China. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China and is considered one of the best universities in the country. The campus is known for its beauty, featuring the ancient and aesthetic Jiageng architecture, the majestic Jiannan Auditorium, and the picturesque Furong Lake, where you can often spot black swans. The university is also home to the Furong Tunnel, where you can admire student graffiti.
The university is located 16 km from the Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, making it a convenient destination if you're looking for things to do nearby. To visit the campus, you will need to make a reservation on your phone a few days in advance. While there, you can enjoy the greenery and find nearby places to relax with a cup of coffee or tea.
Xiamen University has a rich history, founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee, a Chinese patriotic expatriate businessman in Singapore. The university has been proactive in international exchanges and collaborations, forging partnerships with numerous universities worldwide. In 2015, Xiamen University expanded its global presence by establishing a branch campus in Malaysia, becoming the first Chinese university to pioneer an independent campus overseas.
If you're looking for other attractions near Xiamen Airport, there are several options to consider. These include Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen Botanical Garden, and Zhongshan Road Walking Street.
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Explore the city's botanical gardens
Xiamen is known for its beautiful gardens and diverse plant life. The Xiamen Botanical Garden, also known as the Wanshi Botanical Garden, is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, hikers, and those interested in plant life. Covering 1.9 square miles (4.93 square kilometres) of land, it is home to a vast array of plant species, including bamboo, palm, magnolia, peony, azalea, cherry blossom, osmanthus, maple, lily, lotus, and jasmine. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn, when you can enjoy pleasant weather and blooming flowers.
The botanical garden is easily accessible from the airport and is located at No.25 Huyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen, China. It is a short taxi ride from downtown Xiamen, and you can also take a bus or rent a bicycle to get there. The garden is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and the ticket price is around CNY 40 for adults and free for children under 1.2 metres (around 4 feet) in height.
As you enter the garden, you will find yourself surrounded by lush greenery and a variety of themed gardens. The West Gate of the main entrance welcomes you with the Stone and Green Garden, the Deng Xiaoping Tree Planting Place, and the Araucaria Lawn. As you explore further, you will discover the Hundred Flower Hall, the Curious Garden, Palm Island, the Rose Garden, and the Pine and Fir Garden. Don't miss the Bamboo Path, where you can learn about the different types of bamboo and their significance in Chinese culture.
The botanical garden also offers stunning views of the city and the district, especially from the top of the hills within the garden. The Rainforest World, covering 16 hectares, is a highlight, featuring two old scenic spots, "Zi Yun De Lu" and "Gao Du Qin Dong", and the Qiaoxi Bridge, a municipal cultural relic protection unit built during the Ming Dynasty. The Palm Garden on the east side of Wanshi Lake presents a unique coconut forest island scenery, with coconut trees, lakes, and mountains.
After exploring the botanical garden, you can visit other nearby attractions, such as the Hulishan Fortress, located about 3 miles (5 km) away, or the South Putuo Temple, a renowned Buddhist temple just 2 miles (3.2 km) from the botanical garden. Xiamen University, known for its beautiful campus, is also within easy reach, just 2.1 miles (3.5 km) away.
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Take a ferry to Dongdu pier
Xiamen Airport is a great place to stop over, with the city centre and its attractions just a short distance away. One of the most popular things to do is to take a ferry to Dongdu Pier, which is the gateway to the beautiful Gulangyu Island.
Getting to Dongdu Pier
To get to the pier, you can take an airport bus from Xiamen Airport to the International Cruise Terminal, also known as the Xiamen Drum Pier or Dongdu Matou (East Ferry Pier). This bus costs RMB10 and takes around 30 minutes. You can also take a taxi, which will cost around RMB50.
Buying Ferry Tickets
At the terminal, you will need to buy a ticket for the ferry. There are two types of tickets available: a basic option for RMB35 and a luxury, more decorative ferry for RMB50. Tickets can be purchased on the spot at the ticket office, or online through Alipay or WeChat (this option is not available to foreign tourists). To buy tickets on the spot, go to the ticket office with your passport or travel document. The ticket will have your document number for the security check and boarding, so make sure to keep it safe.
Ferry Schedule
Ferries depart from the International Cruise Terminal every 20 minutes. It is recommended to arrive early, as there may be long queues during peak travel periods. The ferry ride to Gulangyu Island takes about 20-25 minutes, and it is a round-trip ticket, so be sure to keep it for your return journey.
Exploring Gulangyu Island
Gulangyu Island is a scenic spot famous for its architecture and natural beauty. The island is a no-vehicle zone, so the best way to get around is on foot or by electric golf cart. There is a circuit around the island's coastline, which costs 50 yuan for the whole journey of about 6km. The island has plenty of eateries and scenic views, especially at night. It is recommended to visit the western part of the island, which is more residential, and then make your way to the popular areas closer to the Sanqiutian Wharf.
So, if you're looking for a unique experience during your time at Xiamen Airport, taking a ferry to Dongdu Pier and exploring Gulangyu Island is a great option!
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Wander the shops and restaurants on Zhongshan Road
Zhongshan Road is a great place to wander, eat and shop. Located in the Fujian city's historic downtown, it is known as the "best shopping" commercial centre in Xiamen. The street is full of local eateries, street food stalls, and souvenir shops. It is also home to many trendy fashion brands and long-established "net celebrity shops". The rows of buildings along the street are impressive and worth a glance, with their gorgeous architecture.
The southern Fujian culture is long and profound, with ancient buildings and characteristic arcade streets as its representatives. These old buildings have been perfectly preserved, showcasing the past of Xiamen. The old streets in this area are distributed in "four verticals and one horizontal", including Zhongshan Road, West Xiahe, Datong Road, Siming West Road, Siming South Road, and Siming North Road.
Zhongshan Road is also part of a "food circle" between the three parallel streets of Shengping Road, Datong Road, and itself. Visitors can use this route to taste good local flavours. It is recommended to spend 2 days in Xiamen to explore its highlights, such as South Putuo Temple, Zhongshan Road, Zengcuo'an, and Hulishan Cannon Fort, and to taste some local delicacies.
Xiamen Airport is 15.5 km from Zhongshan Road. It takes about 30 minutes to travel between the two by taxi.
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Visit Nanputuo Temple
Nanputuo Temple is one of the eight scenic spots in Xiamen, and is a 1000-year-old Buddhist resort in southern Fujian. It is one of the most prosperous temples in Xiamen, and is the most famous temple in the southern part of Fujian province. The temple is grand in scale, covering an area of 258,000 square meters, and is a holy place for followers of Buddhism, who come to the temple to pray all year round.
The temple was first built during the Ming Dynasty between 1403 and 1424 and was destroyed in the war in the late Ming dynasty. It was rebuilt during the late Tang Dynasty and was called Sizhou Temple. Since the 1920s, Nanputuo Temple has been the centre of Buddhism exchange in China and internationally.
The temple is located at the foot of Wulao Peak in the southeast of Xiamen City and is next to Xiamen University. The Wulao Peak is a popular climb for visitors, offering an incredible view at the top. The temple is also situated by the seaside, so it is best to avoid the typhoon season when visiting.
Nanputuo Temple is free to enter and is easily accessible by bus. Visitors can take line 45, 87, 17, 1, 18, 29, or 47 and get off at the University of Xiamen, which is next to the temple. Visitors arriving by air can take the No. 37 bus from the airport to the Xiamen train station and then transfer to the No. 1 bus to get to the temple.
The temple is a great dining place for Buddhists and vegetarians, with sweet or salty cottage pudding and a special local product in Xiamen available to try. The South Putuo Vegetarian Menu is a great choice after visiting the temple.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are an American citizen or a citizen of one of the other designated 50 countries, you are entitled to a 72-hour visa-free transit in Xiamen if you fly to and out of Xiamen.
Attractions near the Xiamen airport include the Xiamen University, the Xiamen Botanical Garden, Nanputuo Temple, and the Xiamen Piano Museum.
Hotels near the Xiamen airport include the Fliport Garden Hotel and the Lujiang Hotel.
The city centre of Xiamen is quite close to the airport. It is recommended to leave the downtown area for the airport at least 3 and a half hours before your departure time.
During a long layover in Xiamen, you can visit the city centre, go to Gulangyu Island, walk around Zhongshan Road, or visit the Xiamen Botanical Garden.
