Gulangyu Island
Gulangyu faces Xiamen across the sea. Its original name was Yuanshazhou (Round Sandbank). Waves striking the sea caves sounded like drums, so during the Ming dynasty it was renamed Gulangyu,…
Gulangyu Island, Xiamen · AI illustration for China Trip
Key facts
- Admission
- Free admission to the island; the five-attraction combo ticket is ¥110 (includes Sunlight Rock, Haoyue Garden, Shuzhuang Garden, Organ Museum and International Engraving Museum)
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Getting there
- To reach Gulangyu, visitors take a tourist ferry; fares depend on the departure pier and range from ¥35 to ¥50. The island's sightseeing bus around the island costs ¥50, and tickets for sightseeing buses to individual attractions range from ¥20 to ¥40
- Guidebook rating
- 5 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1544. Open in Google Maps
About Gulangyu Island
Gulangyu faces Xiamen across the sea. Its original name was Yuanshazhou (Round Sandbank). Waves striking the sea caves sounded like drums, so during the Ming dynasty it was renamed Gulangyu, meaning "Drum Wave Island".
The island's human landscape is its greatest attraction. The villas that have survived intact are mainly in styles from the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, giving the island a distinct Southeast Asian flavour. There are also 13 former foreign consulates, and the British Consulate you see as you disembark is the first you will notice, which is why the island is known as the "Exhibition of Architecture from Many Nations". In addition, almost everyone on the island seems to be musical, and many members of China's largest symphony orchestra came from here.
In July 2017, Gulangyu was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Gulangyu Island cost?
Admission to Gulangyu Island is Free admission to the island; the five-attraction combo ticket is ¥110 (includes Sunlight Rock, Haoyue Garden, Shuzhuang Garden, Organ Museum and International Engraving Museum), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Gulangyu Island?
To reach Gulangyu, visitors take a tourist ferry; fares depend on the departure pier and range from ¥35 to ¥50. The island's sightseeing bus around the island costs ¥50, and tickets for sightseeing buses to individual attractions range from ¥20 to ¥40
How long should I spend at Gulangyu Island?
Plan on 1–2 days for Gulangyu Island.
Where is Gulangyu Island?
Gulangyu Island is in Xiamen, Fujian Province, in the East China of China.
More places in Xiamen
Shuzhuang Garden
Shuzhuang Garden combines the elegance of a Jiangnan-style garden with the surrounding natural scenery, earning it the description “a garden on the sea, and the sea within the garden.” Inside is Asia's largest piano museum, which displays more than 100 antique pianos from 19th-century Germany and Austria. Next door, the Organ Museum is the only organ museum in China and the largest in the world, with organs in many different styles. Be sure to visit it.
¥30
Underwater World
Stepping inside feels like entering a wondrous undersea world. Although China already has a number of ocean-themed parks, this aquarium is arguably the most biodiverse of them all in terms of species. So don't hesitate to spend a little extra on the experience.
¥117 · 1–3 hours
Xiamen Botanical Garden
The botanical garden is centred on rock formations and subtropical plant landscapes. It is a place to enjoy the charm of Wanshi, admire countless famous flowers and trees, and reflect on historical stories and the travels of the ancients. The beauty of Wanshi Botanical Garden is hard to put into words; you need to experience it in person to appreciate its charm.
¥30 · 2–4 hours
Xiamen University
The campus is very beautiful, with attractions such as Furong Lake (芙蓉湖) and Qingrengu Reservoir (情人谷水库). Its atmosphere is quiet and romantic, and it is said that “love is talked about at Xiamen University.” At present, the university does not allow visitors to enter on their own. Lu Xun taught here from September 1926 to January 1927, and his former studio has since been converted into the Lu Xun Memorial Hall.
1–2 hours
Nanputuo Temple
A famous ancient temple in southern Fujian, renowned for its Taixu Library and its Buddhist Academy. Its buildings are set into the hillside, rising tier upon tier with a solemn and dignified grandeur.
1–3 hours
Hulishan Fortress
The Rongguang Treasure Museum, housed here, displays rare stones from around the world, ancient firearms, swords and cannons from different eras, and fossilised ancient trees, several of them heirloom treasures.
¥25 · 1–3 hours