City in Fujian, China
Xiamen
A relaxed, clean seaside city with cafés, Gulangyu island, easy transit and mild winters. Good for a first China trip or a slow stay; summer is hot and Gulangyu fills with day-trippers.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,190–2,090Comfortable, one person · ¥8,000–14,000Details
- Value for money62/100Better value than 61% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 31°CDetails
- Air quality18.8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · PollutedDetails
- Internet238 MbpsFixed broadband, China medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink tap water; hotels and hostels supply kettles and bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–89Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundDiDiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessAlipay and WeChat Pay work almost everywhere, including metro and buses; keep a little cash as backup.Details
Where to stay in Xiamen
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Zengcuoan and South Putuo | Backpackers: hostels, cafés, snack streets, university area |
| Zhongshan Road and Lundu | Central, near the Gulangyu ferry and old arcades |
| Shapowei | Arty harbour district with cafés and galleries |
| Huandao Road and Wuyuan Bay | Seafront runs, upscale apartments and sea views |
Apps that work in Xiamen
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Works via Alipay; most drivers and airport pickups |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meituan | Widest restaurant choice; Chinese-language app |
- Maps: Amap or Apple Maps (Google Maps is blocked and inaccurate)
- Messaging: WeChat
- Alipay: Payments, DiDi rides and metro QR codes
- WeChat Pay: Backup payments and mini-program bookings
- Trip.com: Train and hotel bookings in English
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and honest; DiDi is cheaper. Black cabs near the ferry terminals quote inflated fares.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in China.
- Practically cashless Alipay and WeChat Pay work almost everywhere, including metro and buses; keep a little cash as backup.
- Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY). US$1 ≈ ¥6.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC and other big-bank ATMs take Visa and Mastercard; per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary.
- Tipping: Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign Visa or Mastercard work almost everywhere; small fee on larger payments. Apple Pay rarely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
Plugs
Type A, C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in China
Going to Xiamen solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Xiamen meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.