Fujian
Fujian is a southeast China province known for earth-walled tulou villages, tea-mountain trails and a subtropical coast facing Taiwan.
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Fujian is a coastal province in southeast China, across the Taiwan Strait from Taiwan. Its shoreline is long and indented, and mountains run inland from it. Two areas are the main reasons to go. In the southwest, tulou are large round or square earth buildings that housed whole families behind thick rammed-earth walls, and several clusters are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the north, the Wuyi Mountains have river valleys, rock cliffs and tea gardens that grow Wuyi rock tea.
Fujian suits a slower trip built around villages, hiking and tea, with the coast for seafood and sea views. Food is a reason to go too: Fuzhou cooking leans on seafood, light broths and red yeast rice, and Anxi is known for Tieguanyin oolong. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for hiking and moving between the coast and the mountains. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoons can disrupt coastal travel from summer into early autumn. Give the province at least a week.
Fujian in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you landMany shops, taxis and food stalls in Xiamen take mobile payment. Link a foreign card before you travel, and carry some cash for small vendors.Money and costs
- Use Amap or Baidu Maps, not Google MapsGoogle Maps does not work in mainland China. Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps are the usual choices for bus routes and walking directions.Phones and eSIM
- Get an eSIM before you reach XiamenMaps, ride-hailing and mobile payment all need data from the first hour. A local SIM needs your passport to register, so an eSIM bought before you fly is the simpler option.
- Book high-speed trains on the 12306 appThe official 12306 app or website sells high-speed tickets from Xiamen to Quanzhou and other Fujian cities. Register with your passport number before you book.Getting around
- Carry your passport for hotels and the islandHotels register foreign guests with a passport at check-in, and Gulangyu ferry and island entry may ask to see it. Keep it on you when you go out.
Things to do in Fujian
See all attractions in Fujian
Need to know
- Currency
- Renminbi (CNY), usually called yuan
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports on short stays; check your nationality Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, mixed
- FebruaryCool, damp
- MarchHumid, rainy
- AprilMild, some rain
- MayHumid, rainy
- JuneHot, rainy
- JulyHot, typhoon risk
- AugustHot, typhoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberMild, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Fujian
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Fujian
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°21°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed29°20°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu32°21°44%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Fri24°21°84%Friday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat24°20°29%Saturday: Rain. High 24°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sun26°20°24%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Mon25°19°20%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 20%.
Updated 12:48 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Quanzhouabout 1 hour by high-speed trainHistoric port city with Kaiyuan Temple and sites on the Maritime Silk Road.Read the guide
- Yongding tulouabout 3 hours by roadHakka round earth buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage site in rural Fujian.Read the guide
- Wuyi Mountainsmost of a day by road or trainRock tea gardens and cliff scenery, best seen over a full day or two.Read the guide
Before you go to Fujian
Rules for Fujian, checked
- Check visa-free eligibility and the allowed stay length with the National Immigration Administration before you fly.Source
- Declare cash and goods above the limits on your arrival card. Check the current limits before you carry large sums.
- Flying a drone needs permission in China, and some areas near military sites are restricted. Check the rules before you bring one.
Plan around Fujian
Gulangyu, the old town, the waterfront and day trips from the city
Read the guideAll of ChinaOther regions, rail links and the entry rules for the whole country
Read the guideGetting aroundMetro, buses, ferries and high-speed trains from Xiamen
Read the guideMoney and costsMobile payment, cash needs and typical prices for a day in Xiamen
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you book a flight
Read the guideWhere to stayOld town, Gulangyu island and the coastal road
Read the guideFujian FAQ
Is Xiamen worth visiting?
Yes, for a few days. Gulangyu island has historic villas and no cars, the waterfront is easy to walk, and the city works as a base for trips into Fujian.
How many days do you need in Xiamen?
Two to three days covers Gulangyu, the Zhongshan Road area and the seafront. Add a day for Quanzhou or the Tulou earth buildings in Yongding.
How do you get to Gulangyu from Xiamen?
By ferry from the Xiamen waterfront, a short crossing. Bring your passport and check the current ticket method on the official channels before you go.
Is Fujian worth visiting outside Xiamen?
Yes. Yongding's Hakka tulou are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing, and the Wuyi Mountains are known for rock tea gardens and cliff scenery. Yongding is about three hours by road from Xiamen, and Wuyi needs a full day or two.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card in Xiamen?
Often not at small shops and taxis. Mobile payment works best once linked, and some hotels and larger shops take foreign cards. Carry some cash for small vendors.
What is the best time of year to visit Xiamen?
October to December is the most comfortable window. July to September is the typhoon season, with heat and rain.
Do I need Chinese to get around?
Not for the main sights, but taxi drivers and bus signs often use only Chinese. Show the hotel name and address in Chinese characters on your phone.