First Time in Xiamen: What You Must Know

🌴✨【May in Xiamen | The Romantic Impact of Sea Breezes Kissing Bougainvillea】✨🌴

📍Location: Xiamen is located on the southeastern coast of Fujian, boasting a magical collision of islands and plains. The artistic vibe of Kulangsu Island, the freedom of the Island Ring Road, and the down-to-earth atmosphere of Shapowei make this "Garden on the Sea" the most heart-stirring destination in May!

📅【Three-Day, Two-Night Detailed Itinerary】
Day 1: Artistic Foodie Power Walking Mode
☀️Morning: Kulangsu Island sunrise check-in

Take a ferry from Xiamen Cruise Center to Kulangsu Ferry Terminal (35 yuan round trip). First stop is Sunlight Rock (entrance fee 50 yuan). Climb to the top to overlook the island's red rooftops—every casual photo looks like a movie scene!
Stroll along Longtou Road, duck into "Ye's Mochi" and "Lin's Fish Balls"—soft, glutinous mochi + bouncy fish balls, a perfect sweet and savory combo!
🌙Afternoon: Shapowei art tour

Take Bus No. 11 to "Shapowei Art West District" and check out the rainbow wall and giant capsule toy machine. The old fishing port by the sea has transformed into a trendy district with so many coffee shops and boutiques your legs will give out!
Step into "Not in Bookstore," enjoy an iced Americano by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and watch egrets glide over the harbor.
🌅Evening: Lujiang night chat

Take the ferry to Zhongshan Road—the arcade buildings look even more enchanting at night than during the day! "Grandma Ba's Grass Jelly" with ice and taro balls will fill you up for just 3 yuan. Duck into "A-Qing Spring Rolls" for crispy skin and delicious fillings that'll make you stamp your feet with joy!
Day 2: Mountain and Sea Impact Healing Journey
🌿Morning: Botanical Garden oxygen guide

Take Bus No. 1 to "Botanical Garden West Gate." The rainforest area with its mist feels like a fairyland (entrance fee 30 yuan). Focus on photographing the cactus area—wear a light-colored dress for instant perfect shots!
Don't miss the "Succulent Plant Area" where adorable little monsters raise their chubby hands waiting for you to pet them~
🌊Afternoon: Island Ring Road cycling adventure

Rent an electric bike (15 yuan/hour) and zoom from Baicheng Beach to Coconut Village. The Yanwu Bridge observation deck is the king of photo spots—when the tide rises, the waves crashing against the bridge piers are spectacular!
If you happen upon "Music Square," feed the seagulls—the moment you scatter breadcrumbs, white wings will flutter around you in circles!
🌃Evening: Eighth Market seafood battleground

Take Bus No. 10 to "Kaihe Road Intersection" and dive into Xiamen's version of "Top Fresh Market." Freshly caught striped shrimp, butterflied, coated in flour and fried—so delicious you'll want to suck on the shells!
On your way, grab some "A-Jie Five Spice" fried snacks mixed with crispy water chestnuts—perfect with satay noodles!
Day 3: Niche Experiences Hidden Bonus Level
⛩️Morning: Jimei School Village wandering

Take Metro Line 1 to "Jimei School Village." The Jiageng architecture with red walls and green tiles is super photogenic! Feed the koi in the Dragon Boat Pool for academic blessings!
The glutinous rice rolls + peanut soup on "Shigu Road Food Street" create an explosion of sweet and savory happiness~
🌇Afternoon: Wuyuan Bay relaxation time

Take Bus No. 105 to "Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park." Black swan boats glide slowly through the reed marshes—pretend you're in Venice!
Enjoy afternoon tea on the rooftop terrace of Wanyue City, where the sea breeze turns your bangs into seaweed dance~
🌌Evening: Eighth Market night market ultimate celebration

All stalls open after 6 PM! "Grandma's Earth Bamboo Jelly" is crystal clear—dip it in wasabi soy sauce and it's so fresh your eyebrows might fall off!
"Fresh Seafood" offers made-to-order salt and pepper mantis shrimp, so crispy you'll want to take the shells home too!
🏨【Top Accommodation Recommendations】
🏆Xiamen Yuhua Hotel (Five-star)

Address: 101 Yuehua Road, Huli District | Reference price: 1,200+ yuan/night
Features: A forest palace hidden at the foot of Phoenix Mountain! The rooftop starry sky pool overlooks the lake view, and the executive lounge afternoon tea comes with its own fairy filter~
Highlight: Free children's play area vouchers—parents with kids will be thrilled!
🚌【Transportation Pitfall Guide】
✅Public Transit Tips:

BRT Fast 1/Fast 6 lines (10 yuan): Direct from airport/high-speed rail station to Island Ring Road
Routes 1/29 (1 yuan): Covers all old town attractions
Night ferry (25 yuan): After 8:00 PM, Kulangsu Island's night view is breathtakingly beautiful!
💔Lessons Learned:
You'll regret wearing flip-flops on Kulangsu Island! The stone pavements get so hot your soles will burn—wear sneakers + sun protection socks instead!

🍜【Must-Eat List】
1️⃣ Four-Fruit Soup: Icy and bouncy! Seaweed jelly + taro balls + watermelon + grass jelly, sprinkled with crushed ice like eating clouds☁️
2️⃣ Ginger Duck: Ginger aroma that makes your soul tremble! The caramel-colored duck meat melts in your mouth—you can devour three bowls of rice with it🍚
3️⃣ Peanut Soup: So thick it's hard to use a straw! Huangzehe's peanuts are cooked until they bloom—perfect sweetness💯
4️⃣ Oyster Omelet: Crispy outside, tender inside, and bursting with juice! A-Jie Five Spice's sweet and spicy sauce is so fresh your eyebrows might drop👀
5️⃣ Earth Bamboo Jelly: A game for the brave! Crystal clear "jelly" hiding sipunculid worms—eat it raw with wasabi for a mind-blowing experience!

💰【Expense List】
Accommodation: Yuhua Hotel 2 nights ≈ 2,400 yuan
Dining: 80-120 yuan/day per person (seafood feasts calculated separately)
Tickets: Kulangsu Island combo ticket ≈ 200 yuan (select a few key venues)
Transportation: Bus + ferry ≈ 100 yuan
Other: Souvenirs + snacks ≈ 300 yuan
👉About 5,000 yuan per person for a super refined experience!
💌【Girl's Private Tips】
🌺Temperature varies greatly in Xiamen in May! Sunscreen + sun hat during the day, jacket needed for the windy seaside at night~
🚴♀️Choose dusk for cycling on the Island Ring Road—the sunset turns the sea surface into orange soda color, every casual shot has Instagram vibes!
🎫Students look here: Some attractions on Kulangsu Island offer student ID discounts, remember to bring your ID!

🌟【Ultimate Temptation】
When purple bougainvillea cascades meet sea breezes, when the aroma of satay noodles mingles with the sound of waves, when old villas on Kulangsu Island awaken in the twilight—Xiamen is May's most addictive "earthly utopia"! Grab your suitcase and embark on a spontaneous romantic escape~💃