Gulangyu Island: What to See and Do

Written by Veronica | Updated March 11,2026

Gulangyu Island is a small island located off the coast of Xiamen, China. It is known for its beautiful scenery, historical architecture, and peaceful atmosphere, being listed as a top attraction to visit in any Xiamen tour.

• Location: off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian Province in southeastern China. It can be reached by an 8-minute ferry ride from downtown Xiamen.
• Opening time: all day.
• Ticket price: entering the island is free, some attractions on the island require an entrance ticket.
• Time Needed: 1 day
• Best time to visit: March to May and from September to November
• individuals seeking a peaceful escape from urban hustle and bustle, young families, and couples looking for a relaxing getaway.

Content Preview

• Overview of Gulangyu Island
• What to See and Do on Gulangyu Island
• Essential Travel Information about Gulangyu Island
• History of Gulangyu Island
• Attractions Nearby Gulangyu Island
• Enjoy a Carefree Xiamen Tour with China Xian Tour

Overview of Gulangyu Island

Cars and bicycles are banned here, making it a pedestrian-friendly destination where visitors can explore on foot.

There are many things to see and do on this island, such as visiting the Shuzhuang Garden, which is a beautiful garden filled with rocks, streams, and buildings; the Piano Museum, which houses a collection of more than 100 pianos from around the world; and the Sunlight Rock, which is the highest point on the island and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Gulangyu Island is also famous for its local food and traditional handicrafts, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Overall, Gulangyu Island is a must-visit destination in China for anyone who loves nature, history, and culture.

What to See and Do on Gulangyu Island

Visit the Historic Buildings

Gulangyu Island is home to many historic buildings, including colonial-style mansions, churches, and museums. Some of the must-visit attractions are the Gulangyu Piano Museum, the Shuzhuang Garden, and the Hi Heaven Villa.

Enjoy the Natural Scenery

Gulangyu Island has some beautiful natural attractions, such as Sunlight Rock, the highest point on the island, and the rocky coastline. Visitors can also take a stroll through the island’s lush greenery at the Xiamen Botanical Garden.

Relax on the Beaches

Gulangyu Island has some of the best beaches in China, including Guxiangli Beach and Huxi Beach. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

Explore the Local Culture

Gulangyu Island is known for its unique culture, including the local dialect, music, and arts. Visitors can explore the island’s cultural heritage at the Gulangyu Museum and attend traditional music performances at the Organ Museum.

Experience a Round Island Tour

It will be the highlight of your Xiamen tour to travel around the island by walking or sightseeing bus. The Huandao Road in Gulangyu Island is about 6 km long and takes about 2 – 3 hours to complete by walking. Along the way, you can explore the outer coastline and the inner alleys freely. But it may be tiresome, so it is recommended to break it up into segments and combine it with the scenic spots. The sightseeing bus will drive along the main road. It is more relaxing and efficient, especially suitable for elders, kids and tourists with a tight schedule.

Essential Travel Information about Gulangyu Island

Best Time to Visit Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island is best visited from March to May or September to November when the weather is pleasant. These months are the time when visitors can enjoy the historic attractions and natural beauty without being affected by extreme heat or cold. Exploring the island takes at least 4 hours, making it an ideal weekend escape. Must-see attractions include Shuzhuang Garden, Piano Museum, Organ Museum, and Sunlight Rock Scenic Area.

Tickets and Opening Hours of Main Scenic Spot

How to Travel Around

With no bicycle rentals and motor vehicles prohibited, taking a sightseeing bus and walking are the two main means.

The sightseeing bus route is Sanqiutian Terminal → Yanwei Mountain Ecological Park → Neicuo’ao Terminal → Gulang Villa → Shuzhuang Garden → Sanqiutian Terminal. The whole journey takes about 1 hour and costs CNY 50. There are also tickets for sectionalized routes with a cost of CNY 10 – 40 based on the different stops. It usually operates from 09:00 – 18:00. Tourists who buy the full price ticket can get off at Shuzhuang Garden for a visit and then get on the bus at the same stop after the visit. Other tickets are not allowed to get off randomly.

Walking allows you to explore the island freely. You will also find many international architectures and characteristic stores that are not covered by the sightseeing bus. The journey will make you truly feel the charm of the island. It is recommended for most tourists.

Getting to Gulangyu Island

To get to Gulangyu Island, visitors need to take a ferry from Xiamen. There are four ferry terminals in Xiamen and two ferry terminals in Gulangyu Island. Visitors can take a taxi or a bus to the ferry terminal and then take a ferry to Gulangyu Island. The ferry generally takes about 10 – 20 minutes. The detailed schedule is listed below for your reference.

For most tourists, Sanqiutian Ferry Terminal is more recommended, it is closer to the most prosperous area with the most concentrated scenic spots on Gulangyu Island. Neicuo’ap Ferry Terminal is closer to the residential area and offers a quieter and more primitive experience. It is suitable for leisurely walking.

History of Gulangyu Island

Before the Song Dynasty, there were already fishermen living there, and it was named “Yuansha Island” at that time. Till the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Gulangyu Island. The turning point is in 1842 when Xiamen was opened as a port. Since then, many countries have successively established consulates and built churches, hospitals and schools. Western culture was introduced. During 1902 – 1941, a large number of overseas Chinese returned here and constructed over a thousand villas of various styles that combine Chinese and Western elements. An international community was formed. After the reform and opening up, the tourism industry gradually emerged. In 2017, it was listed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

Attractions Nearby Gulangyu Island

Xiamen is a vibrant city with many attractions and activities nearby Gulangyu Island. Some of the best nearby attractions are as follows:

• Nanputuo Temple: a Buddhist holy land open for free. It is famous for the exquisite buildings and vegetarian dishes.
• Xiamen University: reputed as the most beautiful university in China with a history of over 100 years. The Furong Lake and Furong Channel are representative scenic spots.
• Hulishan Fortress: a well-preserved Qing Dynasty fortress, where the world’s largest existing 19th-century coastal cannon – the “Krupp Cannon” is located.

Enjoy a Carefree Xiamen Tour with China Xian Tour

Gulangyu Island has attracted numerous tourists because of its charming scenery. After the tour there, you may want to explore the nearby attractions or other famous scenic areas in Xiamen. If you are confused about how to plan the tour, China Xian Tour can help you. Our travel consultant can give you practical advice and tailor a reasonable itinerary based on your interests. Also, we will try our best to meet all your requirements. Every year, we provide service for over 6,000 international travelers and have been recommended by the majority of our clients on TripAdvisor. So we can be your reliable choice. Just contact us now.