A Perfect City for Couples to Travel: Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city brimming with artistic charm, blending historical heritage with modern vibes. Here’s a carefully curated Xiamen travel guide covering attractions, food, transportation, and itinerary suggestions to help you make the most of your trip to Egret Island!

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### **1. Must-Visit Attractions**
**1. Gulangyu Island**
- **Highlights**: A UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial architecture and a musical island vibe.
- **Recommended Route**: Sanqiutian Pier → Most Beautiful Corner → Bagua Building (Organ Museum) → Sunlight Rock (panoramic island views) → Shuzhuang Garden (Piano Museum) → Haoyue Garden (Koxinga Statue).
- **Ferry Tickets**: Book in advance on the "Xiamen Ferry+" WeChat official account (¥35 round-trip). Tourists depart from **XiaGü Pier**.
- **Tips**: Early 7 AM ferries are less crowded. No vehicles on the island—wear comfortable walking shoes.

**2. Xiamen University & Nanputuo Temple**
- **XMU**: Reserve 1-3 days in advance via the "XMU Visitor Booking System." Don’t miss the graffiti at Furong Tunnel and Shangxian Sports Field.
- **Nanputuo Temple**: Free entry with complimentary incense. Famous for vegetarian cuisine. Climb Wulao Peak for a bird’s-eye view of XMU.

**3. Cycling Along Huandao Road**
- **Route**: Baicheng Beach → Zengcuo’an → Music Square → Huangcuo Beach (best sunrise spot) → Coconut Wind Village.
- **Transport**: Rent a shared bike or e-bike for stunning coastal views.

**4. Shapowei**
- **Vibe**: A transformed fishing port turned artsy district, with retro shops and creative markets. Perfect for golden-hour photos.

**5. Other Recommendations**
- **Botanical Garden**: ¥30. Must-see: Succulent Zone and Rainforest World (fog spray times: 9:30-11:30 AM / 2:30-4:30 PM).
- **Zhongshan Road**: Charming arcade nightscapes and iconic local snacks.
- **Jimei School Village**: Take Metro Line 1 (the "Sea Train" section) to admire Jiageng architecture and snack at Shigu Road.

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### **2. Local Food Guide**
**1. Must-Try Snacks**
- **Shacha Noodles**: Try Four Li Shacha Noodles or Yuehua Shacha Noodles.
- **Tusun Jelly**: Head to Tianhe Ximen Tusun Jelly near Zhongshan Park’s west gate.
- **Ginger Duck**: Xinwutang or Haodelai.
- **Peanut Soup**: Huangzehe (sweeter) or She’s Auntie Peanut Soup (late-night option).
- **Seafood**: Buy fresh at Ba Shi Market (recommended: Shangqing Seafood, Ajie Wuxiang). Compare prices!

**2. Food Streets**
- **Ba Shi Market**: Authentic old Xiamen flavors—try Yousheng Snacks and Huiyuan Bakery.
- **Zhongshan Road**: Lianhuan Oyster Omelet, Jukou Mixed Noodles.
- **Zengcuo’an**: Tourist-heavy but worth a quick bite (A Xin Thick Toast, Mushroom Legend).

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### **3. Accommodation Tips**
- **Gulangyu**: Ideal for art lovers. Recommended: Lee Family Inn or Linggan Hotel. Pricier and requires luggage hauling.
- **Zhongshan Road/Sibei**: Central location with easy access to old-town eats. Chain hotels like Home Inn or Jinjiang are solid picks.
- **Zengcuo’an/Huangcuo**: Budget-friendly B&Bs near quiet beaches.
- **Train Station/XMU**: Mature commercial area, great for short stays or tight budgets.

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### **4. Itinerary Suggestions**
**3-Day Classic Route**
- **Day1**: Gulangyu (stay overnight or return downtown) → Zhongshan Road night views.
- **Day2**: Nanputuo Temple → XMU → Shapowei → Huandao Road cycling → Zengcuo’an.
- **Day3**: Botanical Garden → Zhonggu Cableway → Jimei School Village (Sea Metro) → Ba Shi Market dinner.

**5-Day In-Depth Trip**
- Add a day trip to Volcano Island (Instagrammable Monument Valley) or Yunshuiyao Tulou (book via Trip.com). Explore hidden gems like the Mountain-Sea Health Trail or Hua Xin Road’s vintage villas.

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### **5. Practical Tips**
1. **Transport**: Airport is on the island. For trains, choose **Xiamen Station** (downtown). Xiamen North Station is farther but reachable by metro. Use Alipay’s "Xiamen eTransport Card" for buses/metro.
2. **Avoid Scams**: Be wary of taxi drivers pushing "island tours" or seafood joints. Gulangyu souvenirs are cheaper online.
3. **Weather**: Hot and humid summers; Oct-Nov is ideal. Winters are mild but windy.
4. **Essentials**: Sunscreen and mosquito repellent! Paper maps help navigate Gulangyu.

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Xiamen is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace—sip coffee, listen to the waves, and unwind. Plan ahead and avoid peak seasons (National Day/Spring Festival) for a smoother experience!