Xiamen in 3 days — city plus a day trip
Three days lets you do the city properly and still take one day trip without rushing. Days 1–2 cover Gulangyu, the temples and the coast; day 3 is the choice between Jimei School Village and Tianzhu Mountain Forest Park. Both are easy and quiet compared with the island core.
Set up Alipay for metro QR, DiDi and bikes. Book the Gulangyu ferry real-name ticket before you fly (up to 15 days ahead) on the "Yujian Xiamen" mini-program. The Xiamen University reservation is a separate online lottery — apply a few days ahead. For day 3, charge your phone and wear real hiking shoes if you pick Tianzhu Mountain.
Day 1 — Gulangyu & the island core
Same as the 2-day plan: the headline sights.
- 08:00 Gulangyu Island by ferry 20 min crossing; book the ordinary cabin ($4.90) ahead.
- 09:00 Sunlight Rock 1 hr — the island's best 360° view.
- 10:30 Shuzhuang Garden & Piano Museum 1.5 hr — one $4.20 ticket covers both.
- 12:30 Lunch on the island lanes Snacks and seafood near Longtou Road.
- 14:00 Nanputuo Temple 1 hr — free, but book the real-name time slot ahead.
- 15:30 Xiamen University 1.5 hr — free, with an online reservation and lottery.
- 17:30 Zhongshan Road Dinner and the lit arcades.
Day 2 — Garden, fortress & the coast
The greener Xiamen rhythm.
- 09:00 Xiamen Botanical Garden 2.5 hr — the misty rainforest greenhouse is the highlight.
- 12:00 Lunch near Nanputuo Vegetarian options by the temple gate.
- 13:30 Hulishan Fortress 1.5 hr — the Krupp cannon and the sea wall.
- 15:30 Island Ring Road 1.5 hr — flat coastal bike or walk.
- 17:30 Shapowei & Zengcuo’an Sunset, cafés and seafood.
Day 3 — Option A: Jimei School Village
Southern-style campuses over the sea, about 30–40 min by metro.
- 09:00 Metro line 1 over the sea to Jimei Sit by the window for the sea-bridge view; ~30–40 min from the core.
- 10:00 Jimei School Village 2.5 hr — southern-style halls, the Tan Kah Kee memorial and the river embankment.
- 13:00 Lunch near the village Simple Fujian canteens and cafés by the gate.
- 15:00 Wuyuan Bay 1 hr — marina and wetland walk on the way back north.
- 17:30 Return to the core Easy metro back for a final Zhongshan Road dinner.
Day 3 — Option B: Tianzhu Mountain Forest Park
A real forest hike in west Xiamen, about 20 km out.
- 08:30 DiDi to Tianzhu Mountain (Haicang) ~20 km west; start early to keep daylight for the return.
- 09:30 Tianzhu Mountain Forest Park 3 hr — lake loop plus a moderate trail; cooler than the coast.
- 13:00 Lunch near the gate Bring snacks; stalls inside are limited.
- 15:00 Return to the core DiDi back; a relaxed evening on Zhongshan Road.
Practical notes
- Day 3 is one trip, not both. Jimei or Tianzhu Mountain — pick by energy and interest.
- Two bookings before you fly. The Gulangyu ferry and the Xiamen University lottery are separate; sort both early.
- Keep Gulangyu on day 1. It is the one fixed ferry booking; the rest flexes around the weather.
Shorter stay? See the 1-day or 2-day plan, or return to the Xiamen hub.
Itinerary last reviewed: 2026-10-18. Routes are written from established traveller itineraries and the city's own geography; adjust for weather and opening hours on the day.