CN · Fujian · 24.45°N 118.06°E

gulangyu

Car-free island of colonial villas, piano lore and winding lanes just off Xiamen.

Best time
October to December and March to May are the most comfortable. Day-trippers pour in from mid-morning, so early mornings and evenings are calmest.
How long
1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Xiamen, about 4 hours. Tourist ferries to the island take about 20 minutes and mostly leave from the cruise terminal at Dongdu, not the downtown pier used by residents.
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CN · Fujiangulangyu24.45°N 118.06°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Car-free island of colonial villas, piano lore and winding lanes just off Xiamen.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGulangyuCN, Fujian
KLgulangyu
≈ 2,949 km from KL, as the crow flies
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Photo: -森屿- · CC BY 2.5

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small island just off Xiamen, where foreign consulates and Chinese families who made their fortunes in Southeast Asia built grand villas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Cars and bicycles are banned, so you explore on foot. It's nicknamed Piano Island for its many pianos and its music history.

Makan

  1. Fish ballsBouncy fish balls in soup, sold all over the island.Map ↗
  2. Oyster omeletteSmall oysters fried with egg and sweet potato starch, just like or chien back home.Map ↗
  3. Mung bean pastriesFlaky little cakes filled with sweet bean paste, a popular thing to take home.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Sunlight RockThe island's highest point, with views over the red rooftops to Xiamen.Map ↗
  2. Shuzhuang GardenA seaside garden with zigzag bridges, home to the Piano Museum.Map ↗
  3. The villa lanesWander lanes of colonial-era villas and old houses, many now cafés and small museums.Map ↗
  4. Haoyue GardenA garden with a giant statue of Koxinga looking out to sea.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book ferry tickets ahead with your passport, especially at weekends. Daily visitor numbers are capped.
  • The lanes are hilly and everything is on foot, so wear comfortable shoes.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.