4 Days 3 Nights to Experience a Different Xiamen

Title: Xiamen 4 Days 3 Nights Travel Guide｜Enjoy a Premium Feel with 5000 RMB! Insider Islands + Artistic Slow Life Full Guide🔥 Hello everyone, I’m your travel inspiration machine~ This time, I’ll take you to explore a different Xiamen with a 5000 RMB budget—no squeezing into crowds on Gulangyu Island, no staying in overpriced trendy homestays, eating the most authentic Minnan flavors, and capturing photos that get over 100 likes on your social feed! 📍 Itinerary Overview: 4 days 3 nights｜About 5000 RMB per person (cheaper for two travelers) ✅ Suitable for: Couples / Best friends / Family trips ✅ Style: Artistic + Island + Food + Light luxury slow travel ✅ Transportation: High-speed train or plane both work, high-speed train recommended for best value 📅 Day 1: Arrive in Xiamen + Shapowei Art District + Nanputuo Temple + Xiamen University Night View 🚄 Arrive at Xiamen North Station (if coming from out of town, second-class high-speed train ticket costs about 300-600 RMB) 🛏️ Recommended stay: Boutique homestay near Zhongshan Road (walking distance to major attractions, average 400 RMB/night, breakfast included) 🎨 Afternoon check-in at [Shapowei]: Old fishing port transformed into an art street! The sheltered cove is perfect for photos, with art galleries, rainbow walls, and graffiti alleys all giving a cinematic vibe. 🍜 Dinner: Seafood stalls at Bajie Market! Recommended “A Jie Five-Spice” and “You Sheng Flavor Snacks” — try satay noodles, oyster omelet, and pork jelly, about 60 RMB per person to eat until you’re full. 🌃 Evening stroll around the outer area of [Nanputuo Temple], free! On the way, catch a glimpse of the [Xiamen University] west gate night view (currently closed to the public, but photos at the gate are very atmospheric) 💰 Daily expenses: Accommodation 400 + Food 120 + Transport 50 ≈ 570 RMB 📅 Day 2: In-depth Gulangyu Island Tour｜Avoid crowds, only the highlights! ⛴️ Depart before 8:30 AM! Buy tickets for [Dongdu Ferry Terminal → Sanqiutian Wharf] at 35 RMB (purchase in advance on the “Xiamen Ferry” WeChat official account! Don’t buy the tourist group’s 136 RMB overpriced package) 🎒 After arriving on the island, head straight to [Most Beautiful Corner → Sunlight Rock (unbeatable summit view) → Shuzhuang Garden (home to the piano museum) → Gangzaihou Beach] 📸 Insider tip: [Yanwei Mountain Ecological Park] cliff trail overlooking Twin Towers and Lujiang River, 99% of tourists don’t know about it! 🍽️ Lunch: Skip the lines at Longtou Road snacks! Recommended “Lin Sixi Minnan Satay Noodles” and “Shen’s Rice Rolls” 🌇 Return to the city from Sanqiutian Wharf at dusk, stop by [Bay Park] for a super romantic sunset 💰 Daily expenses: Ferry 70 + Tickets (Sunlight Rock + Shuzhuang Garden total 90) + Food 100 + Homestay 400 ≈ 660 RMB 📅 Day 3: Ring Island Road Cycling + Zengcuoan + Huangcuo Beach + Underwater World or Baicheng Beach 🚴 Rent a shared bike to cycle around the island! Start at [Hulishan Fortress] → pass through [Zengcuoan] (quick pass-through, very commercialized) → end at [Huangcuo Beach], less crowded with clear water, perfect for stunning photos! 🐠 Optional: [Xiamen Underwater World] or take kids to [Baicheng Beach] to feed pigeons 🍤 Dinner recommendation: [Lin’s Minnan Cuisine] or [Little Glasses Food Stall], authentic local flavors certified by locals, about 80 RMB per person 🌃 Return to Zhongshan Road, check out [Qilou Night Market], buy souvenirs: pork floss cake, pineapple cake, coconut cake 💰 Daily expenses: Cycling 10 + Food 160 + Tickets 80 + Accommodation 400 ≈ 650 RMB 📅 Day 4: Jimei School Village + Return or Last-minute Check-ins 🚇 Must ride the Metro Line 1 “Sea Metro” section! From Gaoqi to Jimei, the sea is right outside the window, like traveling in a cartoon! 🏫 [Jimei School Village] founded by Tan Kah Kee, unique Kah Kee architectural style, Dragon Boat Pond, Guilai Hall, and Aoyuan are all worth visiting ☕ Lunch at [Jimei Shimao Plaza], after meal ride a bit on [Xinglin Bay Bridge] 🎒 Afternoon flexible based on return time, can retake photos on Gulangyu Island or have a coffee at Shapowei 💰 Daily expenses: Food 100 + Transport 50 + Souvenirs 200 ≈ 350 RMB 🧮 Total estimated cost (for two people, sharing saves more): Transport (round trip + local): 1200 RMB Accommodation (3 nights boutique homestay): 1200 RMB Food + snacks: about 1000 RMB Tickets + ferry + entertainment: about 400 RMB Shopping + miscellaneous: 600 RMB 👉 Total: about 4400-5000 RMB, easily within budget! ✨ Blogger Tips: 1️⃣ Don’t trust “low-price one-day tours,” they’re all shopping tours! 2️⃣ Xiamen weather is humid and hot, bring sunscreen + mosquito repellent! 3️⃣ Want to shoot empty-scene photos? 7 AM on Gulangyu Island and Ring Island Road is your prime time!