Xiamen University: Visitor Guide – Reservation, Campus Highlights & Tips

If you are planning a trip to Xiamen, Xiamen University should be on your list. Founded in 1921 by the famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee, Xiamen University is one of the most prestigious higher education institutions on the southeastern coast of China. It is backed by Wulao Peak, facing the sea, with traditional red‑brick, green‑tiled buildings and modern teaching facilities. It is known as “one of the most beautiful universities in China.” This article provides detailed information about Xiamen University, how to book a visit, campus highlights, and nearby attractions.

Basic Information about Xiamen University

Founded in 1921 by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, a well‑known patriotic overseas Chinese leader. The university has a history of more than 100 years.
Status: Xiamen University (abbreviation XMU) is a national key comprehensive research university directly under the Ministry of Education of China. It is a “Double First‑Class” university, part of the “Project 211” and “Project 985” initiatives. In the 2026 Soft Science Chinese University Ranking, XMU ranked 25th.
Academic fields: It covers 11 disciplines, including philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, medicine, management, and arts.
Campuses: Xiamen University currently has four campuses – Siming Campus, Xiang’an Campus, Zhangzhou Campus, and Malaysia Campus.
- Siming Campus (No. 422, Siming South Road, Siming District, Xiamen) is the oldest and most beautiful main campus, and the one open for visitors.
- Xiang’an Campus (No. 4221, Xiang’an South Road, Xiang’an District, Xiamen) is a newer campus.
- Zhangzhou Campus (No. 300, Nanbin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Zhangzhou, Fujian).
- Malaysia Campus (Salak Tinggi, Sepang, Selangor, just south of Kuala Lumpur) is the first overseas campus established by a Chinese university.

How to Book a Visit to Xiamen University

Important: Entry to the Siming Campus requires advance online booking. Walk‑in visits are not accepted. Xiamen University is a teaching and research institution, not a tourist attraction, and booking is free of charge.

Official Booking Channel

Search and follow the WeChat public account “Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System” (厦门大学访客预约系统), or use the WeChat mini‑program “Visit Xiamen University” (参观厦大). This is the only official channel. Do not use any third‑party travel agents or intermediaries.

Booking Process (Two Steps)

Xiamen University uses an online registration + lottery system (no longer first‑come, first‑served). The process has two steps:

Step 1 – Register: The system opens registration for visits 3 calendar days in advance. Registration starts at 12:00 AM (midnight) each day. Visitors submit their application, choosing a date and time slot. Applications completed before 4:00 PM on a given day enter that day’s lottery pool.
Step 2 – Wait for the lottery: The lottery runs at 4:00 PM daily. Results for the next day’s visits are announced at 8:00 PM. Visitors can check results in real time on the system—only those who win the lottery gain entry.

Quotas (Number of Visitors)

Weekdays: 2,000 people per day, divided into three entry time slots.
Weekends and summer/winter breaks: 8,000 people per day, divided into three time slots.
Public holidays: 15,000 people per day, divided into five time slots.

Entry Time Slots for Visitors

Weekdays: 10:30–11:30 / 13:00–14:00 / 16:30–17:30
Weekends and school breaks: 8:30–12:00 / 13:00–16:00 / 16:00–17:30
Public holidays: 8:00–10:00 / 10:00–12:00 / 12:00–14:00 / 14:00–16:00 / 16:00–18:00

Times may be adjusted according to the university’s academic schedule. Always check the official booking page.

Special Note for Foreign Visitors

Foreign visitors with a passport can also book through the “Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System” WeChat public account after completing real‑name verification. After successfully booking, you must bring your original passport and enter through the dedicated Xiamen University Visitor Center channel, where staff will manually verify your identity. Passports are the only valid identification – copies or photos are not accepted.

Must‑See Spots on Campus

Furong Lake & Black Swans

Furong Lake is in the center of the campus. The water is clear, shaded by green trees, with flowers blooming all year round. Elegant black swans live on the lake – one of Xiamen University’s iconic sights. Walking along the lake and watching the black swans glide across the water is a memory shared by many visitors and students.

Jia Geng Building Complex

Named after the university’s founder, Mr. Tan Kah Kee, the Jia Geng Building complex is located by Furong Lake and is a landmark of Xiamen University. Five connected buildings form a symmetrical layout, with the central building, “Song’en Building”, being the most magnificent. Underneath the building, the university’s motto is inscribed: “Self‑discipline and Social Commitment” (in Chinese: “自强不息，止于至善” – meaning “Constantly strengthen oneself, and strive for perfection”).

Furong Tunnel

Furong Tunnel is one of the most popular spots for young tourists. It is a tunnel through a mountain, about 1.1 km (0.68 miles) long, for pedestrians and non‑motorized vehicles only. The walls are covered with graffiti created by Xiamen University students over many years. The styles range from realistic to abstract, with themes including campus life, anime characters, science fiction dreams, and emotional expressions. Each piece of graffiti is full of the creativity and youthful energy of university students, and the tunnel is known as “the most artistic tunnel in China.”

Shangxian Stadium (Upper String Field)

Shangxian Stadium is the main sports field of Xiamen University, named because its shape resembles a crescent moon (upper string moon). The stadium is built against a hill, with stands curving outwards, able to hold tens of thousands of spectators. From the stands, you can look out over the sea and Gulangyu – an excellent spot to enjoy the ocean view.

Furong Canteen

If you feel hungry during your visit, you can go to Furong Canteen. This is one of the largest student dining halls at Xiamen University. The first floor mainly serves students, but some upper-floor areas are open to visitors. You can experience real student campus dining at very affordable prices.

How to Get to Xiamen University

The Siming Campus is in the southern part of Xiamen Island, very accessible. The only entry point for visitors is the dedicated channel at the Xiamen University Visitor Center.

Metro

Take Xiamen Metro Line 1 or Line 3 to Xiamen University Station. Then walk about 10 minutes to the Xiamen University Visitor Center.

Bus

There are several bus stops near Xiamen University. The following bus routes serve the area:

1, 15, 21, 22, 29, 45, 48, 86, 87, 96, 135, 857, 959.

Get off at “Xiamen University (Nanputuo)” station or “Xiamen University Baicheng” station.

Taxi / Ride‑Hailing

Tell the driver “去厦大访客中心” (go to Xiamen University Visitor Center). The visitor center has designated drop‑off and pick‑up areas.

Nearby Attractions

Xiamen University’s location is excellent, close to several famous attractions. You can visit them on the same day.

Nanputuo Temple

Located just outside the south gate of Xiamen University, only a wall away. Nanputuo Temple is a thousand‑year‑old Buddhist temple. Entry is free. The temple has strong incense and grand, beautiful architecture. You can climb Wulao Peak behind the temple for a panoramic view of the university campus and the city of Xiamen.

Baicheng Beach

Exit the Baicheng gate of Xiamen University, cross the footbridge, and you reach Baicheng Beach. This is one of the most popular beaches on Xiamen Island – the sand is gentle, the water clear, a great place to relax.

Huandao Road (Ring Island Road)

Walk west from Baicheng Beach, and you will arrive at Xiamen’s famous Huandao Road. This road runs along the southeastern coast of Xiamen Island, with beautiful coastal scenery and a cycling path. You can rent a shared bike and ride along Huandao Road to Hulishan Fort or Zengcuo’an.

Hulishan Fort

Located on Huandao Road, about a 20‑minute walk from the Baicheng gate of Xiamen University. The fort preserves a coastal battery built in the late Qing dynasty, including the largest ancient cannon in the world. The ticket price is about 25 RMB.

Shapowei

About a 15‑minute walk from Xiamen University, Shapowei is a well‑preserved old fishing harbor in Xiamen. Today it is filled with boutique coffee shops, designer stores, and specialty restaurants – a trendy area popular with young people.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Plan: Because of the lottery system, it is recommended to submit your application 3 days in advance and check the lottery results at 8 PM the day before your intended visit. During peak periods (holidays, summer break), the chance of winning the lottery is lower – you may need to try several times.
Arrive on time: Be at the Visitor Center within your booked time slot. If you miss your slot, you will lose your entry and cannot be rescheduled.
Bring your ID: All visitors (including foreign tourists) must bring the original, valid ID document used for booking. Foreign tourists must bring their original passports.
Entry channel: All successful visitors can only enter through the dedicated Xiamen University Visitor Center channel. Other gates are not open to visitors. Once you enter, you cannot re‑enter.
Be respectful: Xiamen University is a teaching and research institution with students and teachers in class. Keep quiet and do not disrupt normal academic activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to buy a ticket for Xiamen University?
A: No. Xiamen University does not charge any entry fee. Book for free through the official “Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System” WeChat public account. Do not trust any paid booking services online.

Q: I am a foreign tourist without a Chinese ID. Can I book a visit?
A: Yes. You can book by completing real‑name verification through the same WeChat public account. Use your passport as your ID. On the day of your visit, bring your original passport and enter through the manual verification channel at the Visitor Center.

Q: Can I show up and book on the spot?
A: No. Xiamen University does not accept on‑site bookings. All visits must be booked online through the official channel at least 1 day in advance (maximum 3 days) and go through the lottery.

Q: After booking successfully, can I bring family or friends?
A: Yes. The main applicant (age 18 or over) can book for up to 4 accompanying people. However, the main applicant must enter first and pass identity verification before the accompanying people can enter.

Q: Is Furong Tunnel inside the campus? Can I visit it freely?
A: Yes. Furong Tunnel is inside the Siming Campus. After you successfully enter the campus, you can freely visit Furong Tunnel. The tunnel is about 1.1 km long, filled with student graffiti – it is the longest graffiti tunnel in China.

Q: How long does a visit to Xiamen University take?
A: For the main highlights (Furong Lake, Jia Geng buildings, Furong Tunnel), about 1.5 to 2 hours. For an in‑depth visit of the entire campus, plan half a day.

Q: Are there places to eat on campus?
A: Yes. Part of Furong Canteen is open to visitors, where you can experience the student dining hall. Also, the Xiamen University Visitor Center has several restaurants and coffee shops. Nanputuo Temple is also famous for its vegetarian biscuits and vegetarian meals.

Q: Is it convenient to go from Xiamen University to Gulangyu?
A: Yes. From Xiamen University, take a taxi or ride‑hailing car to Xiagu Ferry Terminal (the tourist ferry terminal for Gulangyu). The trip takes about 15–20 minutes and costs about 20–25 RMB. You can also take a bus.

Q: Does Xiamen University offer English-guided tours?
A: Xiamen University currently does not offer official English-guided tours. However, most road signs and signs on campus are bilingual (Chinese and English), which should meet basic self‑guided visiting needs for foreign tourists.

Xiamen University: Visitor Guide – Reservation, Campus Highlights & Tips

Basic Information about Xiamen University