City in Fujian, China
Xiamen for solo travelers
Is Xiamen good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Safe and comfortable for solo women. Harassment is rare, even late at night. |
How to meet people in Xiamen
Hostels in Zengcuoan, language exchanges at universities, running along Huandao Road, surf and climbing groups, and day tours to the tulou.
Good things to do alone
- Take the first ferry to Gulangyu
- Run or cycle the Huandao Road seafront
- Eat peanut-soup noodles and seafood at Zengcuoan
- Day trip to the Fujian tulou by train
- Browse Shapowei galleries and cafés
Where to stay in Xiamen
| 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 |
Solo travel across China
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 5/5 | Limited |
| Beijing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Shanghai | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Xi'an | 4/5 | Limited |
| Chongqing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 | Limited |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lijiang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Xiamen | 4/5 | Limited |
| Dali | 4/5 | Limited |
| Huangshan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kunming | 4/5 | Limited |
| Qingdao | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nanjing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Changsha | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pingyao | 4/5 | Rare |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Guilin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 | Rare |
| Suzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Harbin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Sanya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Lhasa | 3/5 | Rare |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 | Rare |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 | Rare |
| Kashgar | 3/5 | Rare |
| Wuhan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Tianjin | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Xiamen good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A relaxed, clean seaside city with cafés, Gulangyu island, easy transit and mild winters.
How do you meet people in Xiamen?
Hostels in Zengcuoan, language exchanges at universities, running along Huandao Road, surf and climbing groups, and day tours to the tulou. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Xiamen?
Limited.
Is Xiamen safe for solo female travelers?
Safe and comfortable for solo women. Harassment is rare, even late at night.
More about Xiamen
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
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.