Written by Natalia |
Enjoying a family trip to Xiamen with kids can be a great experience as the seaside city recharges you and offers many coastal pleasures for your kids. Located on China’s southeastern coast, Xiamen will delight you with sunny days, soft sandy beaches, and postcard-worthy scenery and many cultural delights.
To help your trip go as smoothly as possible, here is some fast travel information you will need.
- How long to stay: two to four days
- Best time to go: October through April
- Where to stay: Siming District, Gulangyu Island (if budgets allowed), Jimei District
- Daily budget: around ¥ 1000-2800 ($ 140-410), which covers accommodation, meals, traffic, and attractions for a family with 2 kids per day.
- Family-friendliness: 5-star (a leisurely pace, well-planned city, and accessibility everywhere)
Content Preview
- Travel Essentials for International Families
- Family-friendly Activities & Attractions in Xiamen
- How Long to Stay & Sample Xiamen Family Itineraries
- More Essential Tips for Visiting Xiamen with Family
- Plan Your Xiamen Family Trip with China Xian Tour
- FAQs about Visiting Xiamen
Travel Essentials for International Families
Getting to Xiamen
As one of China’s first special economic zones, Xiamen has excellent international flight connections. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is the main gateway to enter the city.
- From the Americas:A direct Los Angeles‑Xiamen flight is now available, and you can also connect via Shanghai to reach other major US cities.
- From Europe:Fly nonstop to Xiamen from Amsterdam (Netherlands) or Paris (France), and you can transit through Doha (Qatar) to arrive at many other European hubs.
- From Oceania:Direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, bring you straight to the city.
- From domestic cities: There are frequent domestic flights connecting Xiamen with majore cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chongqing, Chengdu, etc. If you are traveling to Xiamen from nearby cities, like Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, high-speed trains are also readily available.
Best time of Year to Visit Xiamen with Family
Free from scorching summers and freezing winters, Xiamen welcomes visitors in every season. When it comes to weather, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are suitable for outdoor activities, with the temperatures between 15°C and 25°C (59°F–77°F).
If you’re planning around school holidays, summer (June to August) is a solid alternative, with plenty of water sports and relaxed beach days. Do keep in mind that typhoon season runs from July through September, which can occasionally suspend ferry services to Gulangyu Island and temporarily close some attractions. Check weather forecast before traveling.
Where to Stay & Family-friendly Hotels
Three areas, such as Siming District, Gulangyu Island, and Jimei District, are highly recommended because of their family-friendly facility and easy access to the attractions in your itinerary. Here’s all the practical information for you.
Hotel |
Star |
Address |
Highlights |
Xiamen Haiyue Resort |
★★★★★ |
No. 3999 Huandao South Road,
Siming District |
1. Features family-themed rooms, multiple swimming pools, and a children’s water park. 2. Within walking distance to Huangcuo Beach; the hotel provides complimentary sand toys. |
Xiamen Binhai Yuehua Hotel |
★★★★ |
No. 199 Hui Zhan Er Road,
Siming District |
1. Attentive service with highly praised family-themed rooms featuring bunk beds that kids love. 2. Right outside is an uncrowded beach with fine sand, perfect for toddlers. |
Xiamen Meilun Hotel (Huangcuo Beach) |
★★★ |
No. 368 Huangcuo Tatou, Huandao South Road,
Siming District |
1. A great-value, home-style hotel offering family suites themed around cartoon IPs like B.Duck and the Octonauts, full of childlike fun. 2. A 10-minute stroll to Huangcuo Beach, with many snack shops nearby for added convenience. |
Le Méridien Xiamen |
★★★★★ |
No. 7 Nanshan Champion Road, Huli District |
1. Offers family-friendly three-bed rooms with a balcony, plus an outdoor children’s playground. 2. Nestled on a hillside next to a park, boasting a pleasant natural environment. 3. Close to the airport and cruise terminal for easy access to Gulangyu Island; just a 10-minute drive to the Science Museum. |
Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Jimei Xiamen |
★★★★ |
No. 121 Ligong Road,
Jimei District |
1. Spacious rooms equipped with complete family amenities, and a children’s playground in the surrounding area. 2. Only an 8-minute drive to Lingling Circus City and a 10-minute drive to the Old Courtyard Scenic Area. |
Xiamen Lingling Hotel |
★★★★ |
No. 358 Xingjin Road, Xinglin, Jimei District |
1. A variety of themed rooms to choose from, making you feel like you are staying in an animal world. 2. Located near Lingling Circus City for ultimate convenience. |
Lin Family Mansion Hotel Gulangyu |
★★★★★ |
No. 11-19
Lujiao Road, Gulangyu Island |
1. Converted from a century-old mansion, featuring spacious family suites and an exquisite breakfast. 2. Located on the eastern side of Gulangyu, within walking distance to Shuzhuang Garden and the Piano Museum for easy sightseeing. |
92 Castle Villa Hotel Gulangyu |
★★★★ |
No. 92
Fuxing Road, Gulangyu Island |
1. The family suite is a 45 m² duplex, with a living area downstairs and sleeping area upstairs, perfect for families. 2. Boasts a large courtyard of over 3,000 m² equipped with children’s swings, very popular with kids. 3. Just steps from Shuzhuang Garden and Sunlight Rock, extremely convenient for sightseeing; strollers are available. |
Family-friendly Activities & Attractions in Xiamen
Xiamen is a family vacation paradise, where people of all ages enjoy seaside fun and immerse themselves in Minnan culture. Want to know what attractions are popular with children and where to find total relaxation for families? You will find useful information below.
Gulang Yu Island
- Location: Siming District, southwest outside Xiamen
- Opening hours: The island is open 24/7; operating hours vary for individual attractions.
- Ticket: Island entry is free. A combo ticket for the core sights costs around ¥ 90–100 ($ 14-15). Round‑trip ferry ticket is ¥ 35 ($ 5) per person.
- Tips:
- Ferry tickets can be booked up to 15 days in advance. Book early via official platforms like “Xiamen Ferry” or “Yujian Xiamen” (real‑name registration required).
- The island is completely car‑free – you’ll get around entirely on foot, so comfortable shoes are a must, and a stroller is highly recommended for young children.
Covering just 1.88 square kilometres, Gulangyu is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site celebrated as a “Museum of International Architecture”. Here you’ll find attractions such as Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, and Haoyue Garden, all brimming with artistic charm and a rich sense of history.
Xiamen Science & Technology Museum
- Location: No.95 Tiyu Road, Siming District
- Opening hours: Tue to Sun 09:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00); Closed on Mon (except public holidays)
- Ticket: Ticket prices vary by the areas you visit, ranging from ¥ 30 to ¥ The most popular combo ticket – covering the main exhibition halls and the children’s gallery – costs about ¥ 140 ($ 20.5); free for children under 1.2m.
With an exhibition area of 1.2 square kilometers and over 400 interactive exhibits, the museum houses five themed galleries: Ocean Cradle, Exploration & Discovery, Harmonious Development, Creation & Civilization, and Children’s Future. Dubbed a “Science Disney”, it is a family‑friendly science education base in East China.
Xiamen Botanical Garden
- Location: No.25 Huyuan Road, Siming District
- Opening hours: 06:30–18:00 (May 1st to Oct 7th); 0:30-17:30 (Oct 8th to Apr 30th)
- Ticket: Standard ¥ 30 ($ 4.5), Children (aged 6-18) ¥ 15 ($ 2.5); free for children under 6 or within 1.4m
Covering 4.93 square kilometers, the Xiamen Botanical Garden combines curated plant collections with natural wonders. It is home to over 10,000 plant species, spread across 16 themed zones — including the Palm Zone, Exotic Flora Zone, Succulent Zone, and Rainforest World. The latter two are especially popular, serving as the garden’s most Instagram‑worthy photo hotspots.
Huangcuo Beach
- Location: No.70 Huangcuo Road, Siming District
- Opening hours: The beach is open 24/7; swimming area runs between 09:00 and 17:00
- Ticket: Free
Stretching for kilometers along Xiamen’s southeastern coast, this soft, golden-sand beach is a dreamy playground for little ones to dig and splash, and a perfect spot for the whole family to take in a stunning sunrise. Find the iconic “Lonely Tree”, an “Amoy” photo sign, and seaside swings when you walking along the shore. Don’t forget to take a family snapshot here.
Fantawild Dreamland
- Location: No.1111 Shixunnan Road, Tong’an District
- Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10:00–17:30; Sat to Sun 10:00-18:00 (check official website calendar for exact hours of entertainment events)
- Ticket: Standard ¥ 299 ($ 45), Children (1m-1.4m) ¥ 220 ($ 33); free for children within 1.1m
Featured high‑tech, interactive experiences, the theme park fuses international entertainment trends with iconic Chinese cultural symbols. Its 27 major themed attractions include Soaring Beyond Limits, Enchanted Castle, Qin Tomb Adventure, Cosmic Little Warriors, and Kids’ Dreamland, making it a proven family favorite.
Lingling International Circus City
- Location: No.366 Xinglinxinjin Road, Jimei District
- Opening hours: Generally 10:00-17:00；Peak seasons 10:00-21:30
- Ticket: Standard ¥ 280 ($ 41), Children (1m-1.4m) ¥ 180 ($ 26.5); free for children within 1m
The circus city is made up of the Lingling International Circus Grand Theatre, Lingling Animal Kingdom, and other entertainment sections. Lingling Animal Kingdom is home to hundreds of rare animals, including giant pandas, giraffes, brown bears and white tigers.
Certified as the world’s largest circus theatre by Guinness World Records, the Lingling International Circus Grand Theatre delivers a spectacle of world‑class acrobatics and performances to audiences.
Old Courtyard Scenic Area
- Location: No. 9 Huaxia Road, Jimei District
- Opening hours: Generally 09:30 to 18:00 (extra opening hours at peak season)
- Ticket: Scenic area admission ¥ 100 ($ 15)；Admission & show ticket ¥ 240 ($ 36)；Children (1.2m–1.4m) admission ¥ 50 ($ 7.5)；Children (1.2m–1.4m) admission & show ticket ¥ 190 ($ 28); free for children within 1.2m
The Old Courtyard Scenic Area comprises the Folk Culture & Customs Park, the live‑action Legend of Minnan show, the Cute Penguin Zoo, Tongmeng Water Park, “Hi Fun” Family Town, and the Sky City Water Slide.
Experience fishing village life at the Folk Culture & Customs Park and immerse yourself in Minan Culture by watching the Legend of Minnan show. The Cute Penguin Zoo is Xiamen’s first hip, family‑friendly attraction that combines penguins, adorable animals, and a children’s playground.
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
- Location: Zhongshan Road, Siming District
- Opening hours: 24/7
- Ticket: free
Xiamen’s most popular food street, packed with iconic local food like Meat Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), peanut soup, satay noodles, and ginger duck. As you stroll along, you’ll pass Nanyang‑style arcade buildings, browse a dizzying array of Minnan snacks, and discover wonderfully photogenic streetscapes. This is an ideal foodie stop after visiting Gulangyu Island.
Yongding Tulou (Earthen Buildings)
- Location: Hongkeng Village, Hukeng Town, Yongding District, Longyan City
- Opening hours: 6:30-21:00 (Jun 1st to Sep 30th); 6:30-21:00 (Oct 1st to May 30th)
- Ticket: Standard ¥ 90 ($ 13.5), Children (2m-1.5m) ¥ 45 ($ 7); free for children within 1.2m
The Tulou are architectural wonders created by the Hakka people during their historic migrations, whose remarkable structures embody a cultural tradition of communal living. Tulou come in a variety of forms like rectangular and circular styles, while the cylindrical shape is the most iconic.
A single Tulou can house hundreds of residents, integrating functions of dwelling, defense, ancestor worship and education all under one roof. Most surviving Tulou date back several centuries, with the oldest — Jiqing Lou — having stood for 600 years. Because of its unique culture and profound history, the Fujian Tulou have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, standing as a powerful icon of Chinese culture. And Yongding Tulou is just one of the top examples of Fujian Tulou.
How Long to Stay & Sample Xiamen Family Itineraries
Compact and easy to explore, Xiamen has its key sights nicely clustered together. It is perfect for family to spend 2 to 4 days enjoying a leisurely vacation here. To help you make the most of your stay, here are two ready-to-use itineraries.
4-Day Xiamen Cultural Deep-Dive (Aged 10+)
Day 1: Xiamen Science & Technology Museum → Xiamen Botanical Park → Huangcuo Beach
Day 2: Gulangyu Island → Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Day 3: Yongding Tulou/Nanjing Tulou
Day 4: Old Courtyard Scenic Area → Lingling International Circus City
2-Day Classic Xiamen Itinerary (Aged 0-4)
Day 1: Gulangyu Island → Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Day 2: Xiamen Science & Technology Museum → Lingling International Circus City → Huandao Road (a coastal road with sea views)
More Essential Tips for Visiting Xiamen with Family
Must-eat food & Snacks
Satay Noodles (Shacha Mian):
A breakfast staple for locals. The rich, reddish-brown broth is simmered from satay paste, peanut butter, and either shrimp or bone stock, giving it a deep, savory flavor. The noodles are chewy, and you can customize your bowl with a generous selection of toppings like shrimp, squid, pork, and tofu.
- Recommended restaurants: Wu Zaitian Snack Bar (25-7 Meihu Road, Siming District)
- Reference price: ¥ 15-25 ($ 2-4)/bowl
Meat Zongzi (Braised Sticky Rice Dumplings):
Packed with pork belly, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, and salted egg yolk, it’s a taste of Xiamen you won’t find anywhere else.
- Recommended restaurants: 1980 Meat Zongzi, Zhongshan Road Branch (353 Zhongshan Road, Siming District)
- Reference price: ¥ 30-40 ($ 5-7)/person
Peanut Soup:
Wonderfully sweet, soft, and so tender it melts in your mouth, this is a dessert beloved by children. It pairs perfectly with youtiao (fried dough sticks) and other snacks.
- Recommended restaurants: Huang Zehe Peanut Soup, Zhongshan Road Flagship Store (22-24 Zhongshan Road, Siming District)
- Reference price: ¥ 5-10 ($ 1-2)/bowl
Ginger Duck:
Made with red-faced Muscovy duck, thick slices of aged ginger, sesame oil, and rice wine, this dish boasts a heady ginger aroma and a subtly sweet flavor. It’s revered as one of Xiamen’s “Three Culinary Treasures”.
- Recommended restaurants: Shiheli Ginger Duck, Minzu Road Branch (53 Minzu Road, Siming District, near Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street)
- Reference price: ¥ 60-80 ($ 10-13)/person
Highly-recommended Restaurants for Authentic Cuisine in Xiamen
Restaurant |
Address |
Price per Person |
Signature Dishes & Highlights |
Linjia Minnan Cuisine (Huandao Road Branch) |
308 Huandao South Road, Siming District |
¥ 110-130 ($ 16-19) |
· chicken broth with thin noodles (lao mianxian) and ginger duck
· set right along Huandao Road with delightful ocean views |
Zhongyi Steak
(Aoyong Plaza Branch) |
2F, Aoyong Plaza,
88 Tiyu Road, Siming District |
¥ 190-220 ($ 28-33) |
· meals in adorable shapes, like planes and teddy bears
· paired with pumpkin soup · excellent choice when coming back from the Circus City |
Qizao Stir‑fry Bistro (Gulangyu Branch) |
8 Longtou Road, Gulangyu
(next to 7‑Eleven) |
¥ 60-80 ($ 10-13) |
· Tong’an braised pork (feng rou) and ginger duck
· perfect spot for a satisfying meal while exploring Gulangyu Island. |
Packing list
Items you must take with you: umbrella, hat, sun cream, swimming suits and adapter.
Nice-to-have items: mosquito repellent (if you visit in summer), sandals that can get wet (if you go to beach), and power bank (in case you need to charge your smartphone when going out).
Plan Your Xiamen Family Trip with China Xian Tour
With deep roots in international tourism, we’ve spent 20 years welcoming visitors from across the globe and have extensive experience in ground operations across China. From dining and accommodation to transport and sightseeing, we take care of every detail so you can simply relax and enjoy a smooth, stress-free family vacation.
Xiamen itself is a refined, charming city with authentic human warmth — and through China Xian Tour’s passionate, professional service, we’ll make sure you feel genuinely welcome and well looked after, leaving you with truly unforgettable memories of your Xiamen tour. Contact us today and begin your family trip to Xiamen soon!
FAQs about Visiting Xiamen
Q1: Need I apply a visa in advance before traveling to Xiamen?
- 30-Days visa free policy (mutual or unilateral)– Citizens from over 70 designated countries can enter China visa‑free up to 30 days.
- 240-hour transit visa exemption– Travellers from 55 eligible countries can enjoy a visa-free stay of up to 240 hours when transiting through China.
- If you don’t qualify for any of the above, you still have an easy option: upon arrival at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, you can apply for a Xiamen Special Economic Zone Tourist Visaon the spot with a valid passport. This visa is valid for a stay of up to 5 days and allows travel exclusively within the Xiamen administrative area.
Q2: Is Xiamen’s public transport easy to navigate with a stroller?
In general, Xiamen’s public transport system is very stroller-friendly. When getting around with little ones, the metro is your best choice, followed by the BRT and selected accessible buses. Taxis and ride-hailing services, meanwhile, provide handy door‑to‑door convenience.
Every metro station is equipped with barrier-free elevators as standard, along with wide-aisle fare gates, boarding ramps, baby care rooms and accessible toilets. The metro also offers a “Red Cap” one-on-one assistance service that you can book in advance. When entering or leaving a station, always take the accessible elevator rather than the escalator. At the fare gates, it’s best to use the wide‑aisle gate or simply ask the staff for a helping hand.
