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Xiamen Layover Highlights day tour: UNESCO Gulangyu, Ancient Nanputuo temple & Shapowei Hidden Gems

Gulangyu

Gulangyu

Shuzhuang Garden

Piano museum

Shuzhuang Garden

Gulangyu Island

Piano museum

European styles building

Shuzhuang Garden

Xiamen Layover Highlights day tour: UNESCO Gulangyu, Ancient Nanputuo temple & Shapowei Hidden Gems

Day Trip

Joined 2025

Daslie W.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Xiamen

Chinese (Simplified) (Native), Chinese (Traditional), English, Japanese

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Daslie W.)

Up to 15 people

Make the most of your layover with a journey through Xiamen’s ancient traditions and modern iconic highlights in ONE day.

Start your morning at a thousand-year-old temple- Nanputuo. Then discover the hidden gems of the Old Port Area, rich with local life and coastal charm.

Enjoy a local lunch, then head to the UNESCO Gulangyu Island- “Island of Music”. Wander through the world-famous Garden and Piano Museum.

Combines sightseeing, culture, and local flavors into one unforgettable, efficient day!

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:30 AM

Meeting Point

Tourist's hotel lobby

- At tourist's hotel lobby or we can meet as per tourist demands (in Xiamen downtown Island)

09:00 AM

Xiamen’s Most Famous Thousand-Year-Old Buddhist Temple

Nanputuo Temple is the most famous and oldest Buddhist temple in Xiamen, with a history of over 1,000 years.

Located at the foot of Wulao Peak and facing the sea, the temple is known for its peaceful atmosphere, traditional architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings.

It is an important center of Buddhist culture in southern China and a popular place for both worship and quiet reflection.

10:00 AM

Xiamen Landmark: Shimao Twin Towers & Seaside Viewing Area

The Shimao Twin Towers are one of Xiamen’s most iconic landmarks, offering stunning views of the city and the sea. From the seaside viewing platforms, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the coastline, watch the waves, and even catch a breathtaking sunset. This area perfectly combines modern architecture with Xiamen’s natural beauty, making it a must-visit spot for photography, sightseeing, and experiencing the city’s vibrant coastal atmosphere.

10:30 AM

Shapowei Old Port Area — Hidden Alleys, Seaside Life & Local Flavors

Shapowei is one of Xiamen’s most atmospheric old port areas, you can see city’s maritime history and traditional fisherman culture. We’ll walk through old streets and hidden alleys that reflect Xiamen’s past as a harbor city, discovering corners many visitors would never find on their own. Along the way, we’ll stop by small food stalls and eateries loved by locals, giving you a chance to taste authentic Xiamen flavors and experience daily life the way locals do.

11:30 AM

Lunch

Lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant featuring authentic regional dishes

12:30 PM

Dongdu Ferry Terminal

01:30 PM

Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island is one of Xiamen’s most enchanting destinations, known for its coastal beauty, historic architecture, and relaxed, car-free atmosphere. Just a short ferry ride from the city, the island features winding alleys, lush gardens, and old colonial-style villas that reflect its international past.

Visitors can explore landmarks of Shuzhuang Garden and the Piano Museum. With its blend of culture, history, and charm, Gulangyu offers a peaceful escape and a deeper look into Xiamen’s heritage.

02:00 PM

Gulangyu landmarks of Shuzhuang Garden

Shuzhuang Garden the most elegant and well-known classical gardens on Gulangyu Island. Built in the early 20th century by a wealthy overseas Chinese merchant, the garden is uniquely designed to blend traditional Chinese garden aesthetics with the surrounding sea. Seawater is cleverly introduced into the garden, creating a rare layout of “the sea within the garden.”

The garden features winding paths, rockeries, pavilions, and quiet courtyards, offering beautiful ocean views at every turn. Walking through Shuzhuang Garden feels peaceful and poetic, reflecting the refined lifestyle and artistic taste of Gulangyu’s past.

02:30 PM

Gulangyu Piano Museum

The Gulangyu Piano Museum is one of the most unique museums in China, showcasing the island’s deep connection with Western music. It houses a remarkable collection of antique pianos from around the world, including rare and historic instruments dating back over a century.

Gulangyu is often called the “Island of Music,” and this museum reflects the island’s rich musical heritage and cultural exchange between China and the West. Visitors can learn about the history of piano development, see beautifully preserved instruments, and understand how music became an important part of everyday life on Gulangyu.

03:30 PM

Ferry terminal

Ending Point

At tourist's hotel lobby or as per tourist demands (in Xiamen downtown Island)

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

8-hour guided tour by a certified English-speaking local guide

The entrance tickets

Round trip ferry ticket to Island

Round trip transfer via taxi between port and hotel in downtown Xiamen

Government taxes & fees

Insurance

What‘s not included

Personal expenses

Food

Sightseeing Bus on Gulangyu

Tour Important Information

This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

If you prefer to upgrade into a private car for the round-trip instead of taxi for the trip, please contact me in advance — the additional fee depends on the number of people and the type of vehicle.

Important message from the supplier

Please contact me if you want a 100% customized tour plan.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2025

Daslie W.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Daslie W.

Your Certified Native Multilingual Guide | Xiamen Specialist & Experienced Southern China Host

Hi. 你好

Nice to meet you. I'm Wei. Your Certified, Multilingual Experienced Tour Guide based in Xiamen, Fujian, China.

With experience traveling across Fujian Province (including Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and Fuzhou) and can also arrange travel to neighboring regions, including Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta (Suzhou, Hangzhou), Guangdong (Cantonese and Hakka regions such as Chaozhou, Shantou, Meizhou and Guangzhou), and Jiangxi (Wangxian Valley, Wuyuan), and beyond.

Xiamen and its vicinity is full of life and colors — embraced by mountains and the sea, rich in history, charming architecture, and delicious local food & tea, and home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

My Background & Expertise

· Certified English-Speaking Tour Guide

· Deep Passion for Chinese History and Culture

· Multilingual — EN /CN / Hokkien / Cantonese / JP (basic)

Whether you're eager to explore lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path destinations, or simply want to taste, hear, and feel the city like a local — I’ve got you covered.

Feel free to reach out anytime. I’d love to show you the most authentic, flavorful, and unforgettable side of Xiamen, its vicinity and Southern China.

Reviews

Bing han C.

5 / 5

Jun 23, 2026

UNESCO Gulangyu Island Full-Day In-Depth exploration: History, Villas, Music & Hidden Gems

Jun 23, 2026

Xiamen

8 hours

“A wonderful family trip with Daslie”

One of the best family vacation that we had. Daslie is the most resourceful and considerate guide we’ve ever met. She is very proficient in both English and Mandarin which makes communication a breeze. The tour turned out well and everyone in our family enjoyed the tour and her company. I could tell that a lot of work went on behind her scenes. She pre-planned every tour, every detail and prepared for every contingency. She carries around a large backpack (must have been heavy!) with lots of stuffs to keep us comfortable, like fans and snacks in case anyone needs. She’s definitely well prepared. It must be her gentle nature and caring self that carried thru to the way she engages with everyone in the family and made everyone feel welcomed and at ease. As a result, we could focus on spending time and enjoying as a family and not having to worry about anything else. This valuable time together is something we treasure a lot. We could experience the many facets of Xiamen that we never would have seen by ourselves. Thank you, Daslie, for all the arrangements, for your friendship and most of all, for being you.