Best Places to Visit in Xiamen: Xiamen Island, Jimei District

Xiamen boasts picturesque scenery and a seamless blend of sea and sky, attracting a large number of tourists every year. However, while most people know that Xiamen is divided into areas "on the island" and "off the island", few are truly familiar with its administrative divisions or the unique landscapes and characteristics of each places. Following are the best places to visit in Xiamen.

Top 1: Xiamen Island

Xiamen Island, also known as "Egret Island", is located in a bay in the southern part of Fujian. Legend has it that long ago, many egrets made their home here, and the island itself resembles a graceful egret gliding over the shimmering waters of southern Fujian, hence the name "Egret Island". The outer harbor of Xiamen is dotted with islands, while the inner harbor is surrounded by mountains, leading to a wide, deep, and ice-free port year-round. Its unique geographic location gives Xiamen Island a seemingly endless summer, just like the city's ever-blooming flowers, from the flamboyant phoenix blossoms cascading like waterfalls to the vibrant bougainvillea in full flourish, passionate and captivating

Covering a total area of 158 square kilometers, this island comprises two administrative districts: Siming District in the south, known for its bustling commercial areas, and Huli District in the north, a rising zone for industrial investment.

The fame of Xiamen Island is so widespread that for many people, it is the first place that comes to mind when they think of Xiamen. Here boasts both European-style villas and Chinese traditional red-brick buildings. There is Gulangyu, known as the "Island of Pianos", there is Xiamen University, nestled against mountains and facing the sea, as well as Shuzhuang Garden, South Putuo Temple, and Zengcuo'an Village. Baicheng Beach faces southwest, while Huangcuo Beach looks southeast. A scenic coastal road loops around the island, connecting all the major sights, where both sunrise and sunset cast brilliant light across the sea.

Top 2: Jimei District

By the shores of the Min Sea lies the village of Jimei; with splendid mountains and graceful waters, it is unrivaled in southern border. Jimei District, blessed with stunning landscapes and vibrant spirit, shines like a radiant diamond set along the Min Sea coast.

Jimei District is located in the northwest of Xiamen, facing Xiamen Island across the sea to the south. It is a renowned hometown of overseas Chinese, with migration dating back to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. Today, over 60,000 overseas Chinese trace their roots here, and it is also the hometown of the famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader, Mr. Tan Kah Kee.

Looking out from the Xiamen Bridge, the scenery unfolds like a beautiful painting, filled with remarkable attractions. The most famous is Jimei School Village, whose architecture harmoniously blends Chinese and Western styles. Whether it's the grand and imposing school buildings or the elegant and delicate pavilions and corridors, all feature glazed tile roofs, dragon-back ridges, phoenix-eaved gables, and intricately carved beams, yet each unique and crafted with ingenuity. Here, Daonan Building and Nanxun Building stand tall and proud, appearing ready to soar. With the vibrant greenery of Horticulture Expo Garden, the rippling waters of Xinglin Bay, and the gentle romance of the Mile Long Dike, every scene in Jimei tells a story of the hometown of Tan Kah Kee and the century-old school village pulsing with youthful energy.

Top 3: Haicang District

Before the towering buildings rose skyward, this place was a fishing village surrounded on three sides by the sea. Here, the great Jiulong River from inland Fujian flowed into the vast ocean, giving rise to the name "Haikou (seaport)", which was later changed to "Haicang".

Haicang District lies in the western part of Xiamen, located on the Haicang Peninsula entirely. To the east, the Haicang Bridge connects it to Xiamen Island; to the north, it borders Jimei District across Maluan Bay. In the Tang dynasty, Haicang began as a coastal settlement, with a stream within its bounds named Cang River.

When speaking of Haicang, one cannot overlook the Haicang Bridge. Representing the pinnacle of China's bridge-building achievements in the 20th century, this structure is a breathtaking sight from any angle. Rising into the sky and spanning the sea, it stuns from afar with its grandeur. Above it, the azure Xiamen sky; below it, the deep blue sea, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape. Picturesque Haicang Bay and Maluan Bay, the lush and scenic Tianzhu and Caijianwei Mountains, the mist-shrouded Riyuegu Hot Springs, the postcard-like Haicang Avenue, and the bustling Songgu Wharf all give Haicang its unique charm. Though it may not shine as brightly as Siming District, Haicang holds a gentle elegance and a quiet mystique all its own.

Top 4: Kinmen Island

Strolling through the villages of red brick walls and swallowtail roofs, you can hear the wind whispering past the eaves of century-old houses. Let your footsteps follow the guidance of Shisa, as you explore the vibrant life on this island. This is Kinmen, where the essence of Minnan culture flows quietly through time, each brick and tile telling the story of home.

Kinmen Island lies to the east of Xiamen Island, the third-largest island in Fujian Province and a renowned hometown of overseas Chinese. Shaped like a dumbbell, the island stretches about 20 kilometers from east to west, with its narrowest waist in the central hilly area measuring about 3 kilometers wide.

Kinmen has long been known as a "fairyland on the sea". Facing Xiamen across the water, its closest point is only 310 meters away. The island is divided into Greater Kinmen and Lesser Kinmen, with most of the attractions located on the main island. Jincheng Town, situated on Greater Kinmen, holds the highest concentration of cultural and historical landmarks. Rusty artillery shells, bullet-ridden ruins, and timeworn red-brick buildings preserve a deep imprint of war history. Yet, beyond the remnants of conflict, Kinmen is also a charming village rich in Minnan heritage, a window into the cultural heart of southern Fujian.