How to Get to Gulangyu, Xiamen: Gulangyu Ferry Tickets & Routes

Xiamen International Cruise Terminal (Hot Daytime Port)

• Location: No.2, Donggang Road, International Cruise Center Plaza, Huli District, Xiamen (东港路2号厦门国际邮轮中心广场，厦门邮轮中心湖里区厦鼓码头), about 11km and half an hour by car from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

Xiamen International Cruise Terminal is also known as Xiamen Dongdu Port and Xiamen Xiagu Port. It not only provides ferry service to/from Gulangyu, but also to/from Japan. For tourists going to visit Gulangyu Island during the day, they like this port most, because it is the closest one to the airport and train stations in Xiamen and has ferry routes to all the two ports on Gulangyu Island.

Xiamen Lundu Port (Popular Night Port)

• Location: No.15, Lujiang Road, Siming District, Xiamen (厦门市思明区鹭江道15号，轮渡码头), about 15km and half an hour by car from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

Xiamen Lundu Port is very popular after night falls, because it is the only port in Xiamen that has ferry to/from Gulangyu Island at night. And when compared with Xiamen International Cruise Terminal, Xiamen Lundu Port is relatively closer to other main attractions in Xiamen, like South Putuo Temple, Xiamen Huandao Road, Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, etc. Therefore, it may be also a good choice for those visitors heading to take a Xiamen tour first before visiting Gulangyu Island.

Xiamen Songgu Port (Seldom Chosen)

• Location: No.2188, Jiangang Road, Haicang District, Xiamen (厦门市海沧区建港路2188号, 嵩鼓码头), about 21km and 45 minutes by car from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

Xiamen Songgu Port is located in Haicang District of Xiamen, which is relatively farther from Xiamen airports and train stations when comparing with the above ports. And thus very few visitors go to this port to catch the ferry. However, it is also a good alternative option during the peak season.

Sanqiutain Port (Most Popular)

Sanqiutian Port (三丘田码头) has one daytime ferry route and one night ferry route to/from Xiamen. It is more popular than Neicuoao Port, because it is closer to Xiamen Island, the area with airport, train station, main attractions and also the best accommodation options in Xiamen. Besides, it is the only port on Gulangyu Island that you can take a ferry back to Xiamen at night.

Neicuoao Port (Good Alternative)

Neicuoao Port (内厝澳码头) is a very good alternative option. It has two day ferry routes to/from Xiamen, including one from Xiamen International Cruise Terminal and another one from Xiamen Songgu Port.

For the Chinese, they usually book the ferry tickets online. There is an official ferry website offered by Xiamen Ferry Co., LTD. And there are applets on Alipay and Wechat. However, all of the website and applets are in Chinese, which may be unfriendly for foreigners. You can also book it at the port on your travel day, but it may be not a good idea when considering the long queues. Sometimes about 1~3 hours may be needed to get a ticket at the ports.

The best way for foreigners to book a Gulangyu ferry ticket is asking the travel agencies for help. And then you can get your tickets in convenient after paying a slight fee. We China Discovery also provided such warm service. Besides, we also offer Xiamen tour to Gulangyu Island in unbeatable price. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us for help!

Warm tip: you are suggested to book your ferry ticket at least one day in advance. Three days in advance will be suggested if you are going to visit Gulangyu during the weekends, Chinese holidays like the first week of May and October and the months for the student vacations, which usually happen in July, August, January and February.

Since ferry is the only way to get to Gulangyu Island. Tourists going from Xiamen Airport to Gulangyu are required to arrive at the Xiamen ports first. You can easily find a taxi to the ports at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, which will charge you for about CNY 30~70 to the ports. The fee varies according to the traffic situation and the port you are going to catch the ferry. Besides, there are also airport shuttle bus lines opened between the airport and Xiamen International Cruise Terminal and Lundu Port. By taking the airport shuttle bus, you can get to one of these two ports in about half an hour. CNY 10 or so will be charged then.

Xiamen has two railway stations, including Xiamen Railway Station and Xiamen North Railway Station.

Xiamen Railway Station is closer to the ports, especially when it comes to Xiamen International Cruise Terminal and Xiamen Lundu Port. The driving distances from Xiamen Railway Station to Xiamen International Cruise Terminal, Xiamen Lundu Port and Xiamen Songgu Port are 7 km, 7km and 16km in separate.

Xiamen North Railway Station is relatively far from those ports. However, it usually has more high speed trains from/to the rest cities in China. And it has direct tourist bus lines to Xiamen International Cruise Terminal and Xiamen Lundu Port for visitors to choose. Besides, it also allows visitors to get to Xiamen International Cruise Terminal by metro.

Usually, half-day or so is enough for a Gulangyu Island Tour. Tourists normally visit it during the day hours and then travel back to Xiamen downtown for the night stay. Since there is still enough time left, they also prefer to visit Nanputuo Temple on the same day. For the visitors looking for some nightlife in Xiamen, they also head to Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street after night falls. Such a Xiamen Gulangyu tour needs only 1~2 days.

2 Days Xiamen City Tour with Gulangyu Island

If you have 1~2 days more in Xiamen, you are highly suggested to extend your Xiamen tour to Fujian Tulou clusters, the unique earthen buildings of this region and sacred World Cultural Heritage that really worth your close visit.

Besides the Tulou Cluster, there is another wonderful site waiting for your visit in Fujian Province - the beautiful Wuyishan (Wuyi Mountain). Its amazing natural beauty and Dahongpao tea will be great gifts for your tour.

5 Days Xiamen, Nanjing Tulou & Mount Wuyi Discovery Tour

Photography enthusiasts? You should never miss the stunning Xiapu Mudflat, the real paradise for photographers of any level. 2~4 days more is recommended for a Xiapu tour!

4 Days Fujian Xiapu Mudflat Photography Tour