Book cheap flights to Xiamen

The city of Xiamen enjoys a sub-tropical marine climate with temperatures fairly consistent all year round. The hottest month is July, while January is the coldest time of year. The ideal time to visit is in spring (March to May) and autumn (October-November). Spring brings a cool sea breeze and plenty of sunshine, making it a great time to take in the island’s scenery. Autumn sees cooler temperatures approaching, so pack in light sweaters and long-sleeved jackets. It is best to avoid travel to the city between July and September when typhoons are known to frequently occur. If you don’t like crowds, avoid going during the first weeks of March and October as this is peak tourist time.

South Africans travelling to Xiamen do require a visa to enter China. You’ll also need to make sure that your SA passport is valid for 6 months from the date of your departure and has 3 pages available for stamps.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa can be reached at the following address:

972 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

Tel: 0027-12-4316500

E-mail: reception@chinese-embassy.org.za

In light of the harsh (somewhat draconian) penalties for criminal activity, you’ll find that Xiamen, much like the rest of China, is a very safe city. Exercise the usual safety precautions, especially in busy restaurants and crowded areas. It is common to see people eating with their bags on their laps, as opposed to draped over their chair. Should you get pick-pocketed in public and see the culprit, make a big scene and the locals and policemen will assist you.

Should you wish to hire a bicycle for getting around, make sure you lock it securely if you stop anywhere, or even better, take it inside with you if possible.

Traffic is a nightmare on the island and there has been a significant increase of cars on the roads. Be extra cautious when crossing the roads, as drivers have little respect for pedestrians.

There are no required vaccinations for travel to Xiamen, although it is recommended to be up-to-date with regular immunizations. Vaccinations for Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Japanese Encephalitis are also recommended. Pharmacies are widely available, just look out for the green cross on the outside of buildings. Hospitals are well-maintained and easily located, though it is advised to take out medical travel insurance before travelling.

The city centre is where it’s hip and happening! Zhongshan Road has many hostels and hotels close to the local snack and shopping streets. The buildings along this road possess a European-style architecture reminiscent of the island’s Portuguese influences.

Unless you’re planning to hit the bars and explore the restaurants in Xiamen, another great option is to stay on Gulangyu Island, a 2-minute ferry ride away. You can find hostels and mid-range hotels amid the fascinating streets of this European-flavoured region. Try out the fish ball soup in Longtou Lane!

Traversing the island by bicycle is a great way to take in the attractions and scenery. The Island Ring Road has a designated bicycle lane and you’ll find many rental shops along here for around ¥30 per day.

Taxis are fairly cheap, especially during the day. You will need to haggle the fare as drivers will start off by charging quite a high fee, especially if you’re not a local. You may experience taxis not wanting to stop for you during rush hour – in this case, take a “black” taxi; these are operated by locals driving their own vehicles looking to make some extra money.

The BRT bus system is efficient but does not stop everywhere and the routes are not listed in English.

If you wish to ferry to Gulangyu, there is a quick ferry service departing from the waterfront, costing around ¥30 for non-locals.