First time in Xiamen? Just follow this itinerary. Enjoy a fantastic trip for just 1.5k per person!

✨ Budget options:

✅ Budget-friendly (1k-1.5k/person): Stay in hostels/B&Bs (100-200 RMB/night), travel by bus/bike, focus on street food.

✅ Comfort option (2k-3k/person): Chain hotels/seaview B&Bs (300-500 RMB/night), taxis/subway, enjoy seafood feasts.

🌴 Must-visit spots｜Locals' picks + summer edition

1. Gulangyu Island
- Highlights: Snap photos at "Most Beautiful Corner" at 7am📸→Sunlight Rock (35 RMB) panoramic view→Piano Museum at Shuzhuang Garden🎹→Free evening concerts (Music Festival 7/13-22).
- Tip: Book ferry tickets 3 days in advance via "Xiamen Ferry+"! Choose "Xiamen International Cruise Center→Sanqiutian" route (35 RMB roundtrip).

2. Xiamen Botanical Garden
- Must-see: Head straight to "Rainforest World" (fog period 14:30-16:00💦 magical atmosphere)→"Cactus Zone" for desert-style photos🌵→Take shuttle bus (10 RMB) to save energy.
- New night activity: Firefly lights & nocturnal animal tour (reservation required, 80 RMB).

3. Island Ring Road Cycling
- Route: Baicheng Beach→Music Square→Huangcuo Beach (less crowded!)→Yefengzhai for sunrise🌅.
- Transport: Rent e-bikes (50 RMB/2hrs) for flexible photo stops.

4. Jimei School Village + Sea-view Metro
- Experience: Take Metro Line 1 "Gaoqi→Jimei School Village" section (Spirited Away-style sea view🚇)→Explore Chenggong architecture→Dragon Boat Pool photos.

📅 4D3N itinerary｜Lazy copy-paste version

Day1: Gulangyu immersion
- AM: Island hopping→Sunlight Rock
- PM: Shuzhuang Garden→Organ Museum (live performances at 10:00/15:00)
- Night: Zhongshan Road snacks (Lianhuan Oyster Omelet + Huangzehe Peanut Soup).

Day2: Urban art walk
- AM: Botanical Garden rainforest + cactus zone
- Noon: Zhonggu Cableway (80 RMB) mountain-sea view🌄
- PM: Shapowei Art Zone→Cat Street→Baicheng Beach sunset
- Night: Baxian Seafood Market (Shangqing Seafood, ~80 RMB/person).

Day3: Coastal + campus tour
- AM: Island Ring Road cycling→Huangcuo Beach relaxation
- PM: Xiamen University (book 3 days ahead!)→Furong Tunnel graffiti
- Evening: Nanputuo Temple vegetarian meal→Wulao Peak night view.

Day4: Jimei culture day
- AM: Jimei School Village→Tan Kah Kee Residence
- PM: Sea-view bike path cycling→Departure.

🦞 Food guide｜Eat like a local!

🔥 Must-try:
- Shacha Noodles: Sili Shacha Noodles (Sibei) + Yuehua Shacha Noodles, rich broth.
- Seafood: Baxian's "Shangqing Seafood"🦀️, must-order pepper salt mantis shrimp + soy sauce fish!
- Traditional: AJie Five-Spice Rolls (4 RMB/pc), Zhonglijuan Pancake, Sibei Peanut Soup.
- Desserts: Green Train Puffs (pecan flavor), Yeshi Mochi (cash only on Gulangyu).

🚫 Avoid: Zengcuoan snacks (overpriced), Gulangyu seafood stalls, Zhangsanfeng Milk Tea.

🏠 Accommodation｜Location > stars!
📍 Zhongshan Road: Transport hub! "Lujiang Hotel" with island views🌃 (500+ RMB/night).
📍 Zengcuoan: Artsy B&Bs, great value! Choose "Xiamen Homeinn Sorbonne Cloud Hotel" near bus stops (300+ RMB/night).
📍 Island Ring Road: Seaview lovers! "Xiamen Yuehua Hotel" with private beach + sunset views (700+ RMB/night).

💡 Summer tips
- Sun protection trio: Sunglasses + hat + UV clothing! Strong UV here🌞.
- Mosquito repellent: Essential for Botanical Garden/Gulangyu.
- Transport tip: Ignore taxi drivers' "island tour" offers! Buses/Didi are better.
- Typhoon alert: Occasional July typhoons, follow "Xiamen Weather" official account.