"Xiamen Budget Travel Guide: 3 Days for 500 RMB, Complete Tips for Food, Accommodation, and Transportation"

Xiamen Money-Saving Budget Travel Guide (2025 Latest Edition)

Budget: 500-1200 RMB/person (3-5 days)

1. Money-Saving Transportation Tips

· Airport/High-Speed Rail to Downtown:
· Airport → Downtown: Take the Airport Express Line (15 RMB) or Metro Line 2 (20 minutes).
· Xiamen North Station → Downtown: Metro Line 1 (20 minutes), avoid illegal taxis.
· City Transportation:
· Bus 1 RMB/ride (get the "Xiamen Electronic Bus Card" on Alipay).
· Shared bikes (2 RMB/hour), cycling on Huandao Road is super cost-effective.
· BRT Rapid Bus, cheaper than taxis.

2. Budget Accommodation Recommendations

· Zengcuoan/Zhongshan Road Hostels: 100-150 RMB/night, close to attractions.
· Train Station Business District: 100+ RMB/night, direct bus to attractions.
· Gulangyu Island Guesthouses (off-season): 300+ RMB/night, recommended to stay 1 night to experience the nighttime tranquility.

3. Must-Visit Free Attractions

✅ Nanputuo Temple (free incense offered, vegetarian cakes 18 RMB/box).
✅ Xiamen University (book 3 days in advance, Furong Tunnel is a must-visit).
✅ Huandao Road (free cycling, Huangcuo Beach sunrise is stunning).
✅ Shapowei + Cat Street (artistic photo spots, free to visit).
✅ Bajie Seafood Market (experience local life, buying and processing seafood yourself is cheaper).

4. Low-Cost Must-Try Foods (under 30 RMB per person)

🍜 Bajie Zhong Lijun Fried Cake (7 RMB/piece).
🍤 Jiawei Zaitian Snack Shop (Taro Bun + Shrimp Noodles 25 RMB).
🍢 Ajie Five-Spice Skewers (5 RMB/stick, in Zhongshan Road alleys).
🍧 Bapo Grass Jelly (7 RMB/cup, half the price of scenic spots).

5. Ticket Money-Saving Tips

· Gulangyu Ferry Ticket: Grab a 35 RMB round-trip ticket 3 days in advance on the "Yu Jian Xiamen" WeChat official account (choose Xiamen-Gulangyu Dock → Sanqiutian).
· Botanical Garden: Free entry before 6:30 AM, or get 5-10 RMB discount by booking online.
· Shuzhuang Garden + Sunlight Rock: Only visit these two spots to avoid package ticket traps.

6. Pitfall Avoidance Guide

❌ Gulangyu "Free Photos" → Forced 20 RMB charge after taking photos.
❌ Taxi drivers recommending "Island Tour" → May take you to black shops.
❌ Zhongshan Road flower tea tasting → 1 RMB per gram, bill may reach hundreds.
❌ Seafood Market → Confirm pricing method (per jin/piece), drain water from bags.

7. 3-Day Budget Travel Itinerary Reference (800 RMB per person)

Day 1: Nanputuo Temple → Xiamen University → Cat Street → Shapowei (free).
Day 2: Gulangyu Island (ferry 35 RMB + Shuzhuang Garden 30 RMB).
Day 3: Huandao Road cycling → Huangcuo Beach → Zengcuoan snacks.

Summary: The core of budget travel in Xiamen is public transportation + free attractions + local snacks. Avoid internet-famous overpriced spots, and you can have a great time with just 500 RMB per person!