If you’ve been thinking of relocating to China and growing culturally or professionally there, but are still unsure about where to go, have a peek at all the good reasons why Xiamen, a city on the southeast coast, should be among the eligible places to live in. Xiamen is still not as famous among China-lovers as Guangzhou or Shanghai, but I’ve heard many non-Chinese friends talking about it as one of the best cities in China, and I stayed there for six years myself. Here are some of the reasons why people fall in love with Xiamen. For a complete travel guide to Xiamen, read my article “Xiamen City“.
View from the top of Nanputuo Temple hill[/caption]
XIAMEN WEATHER
Xiamen has subtropical weather. It will allow you to go out in sandals and t-shirt up to December. There are a couple of months of mild cold and wind every year, just to remind you what it means to wear a jacket. Mostly you will have sunny days with amazing sunsets, especially from August to November. The climate is hot and humid. There are a few weeks of constant rain, usually after the Chinese New Year.
Taking advantage of the warm, enjoyable weather, locals engage in the custom of spending time in the streets drinking tea. You’ll watch them also playing chess, exercising (tai-ji, dancing, long walks), eating snacks and, most of all, laughing loudly. Xiamenese are “southern people”, and have a rich local tradition they are proud of. The local dialect is also the local language of Taiwan. I’d say in Xiamen you experience an amazing mix of Chinese and South-East Asian cultural vibes. Locals talk worlds to you and ask a lot of questions. This will make you learn Chinese faster! They smile often and show their feelings, and will expect you to do the same. Xiamenese are eager to connect and to experience that connection and friendship to the fullest.
XIAMEN’S OUTDOORS AND NATURE
The main town and historical center of Xiamen are on the island of the same name, which is connected to the mainland by beautifully designed bridges and an underwater tunnel. Half of the perimeter (Huangdao Road), starting in the proximity of Xiamen University, is surrounded by a walkable path on the beach and a bike trail conceived for sports activities and spending time looking at the sea. The lush subtropical vegetation overflows from rooftops, bridges, rocks, and private and public gardens. The massive limestone blocks which form the island offer opportunities for climbing and observing the beautiful coastal landscape. The city hosts a huge botanical garden and temples with nature walks. Fujian Region provides plenty of opportunities to hike and explore too, just a short train of bus ride from Xiamen: read this guide on Fujian Province China outdoors and activities.
YOU CAN LIVE IN XIAMEN AND WORK AS AN ENGLISH TEACHER
Due to its past as one of the first harbours where foreign trade and residency were allowed, and thanks to the investments of the overseas Chinese launched during the government of Deng Xiaoping, Xiamen is one of the richest cities in China. It is common to see families with more than one child, and Xiamenese love that their children study English. Bilingual kindergartens abound. If that is the kind of job you are looking for, it won’t take long before a school hires you.
Pagoda in the Nanputuo Temple
LIVE IN XIAMEN AND HAVE ACCESS TO ANY KIND OF BARS AND CAFES
There’s no possibility of feeling lonely or isolated in Xiamen. Locals are friendly and there are plenty of places to get together. There are clusters of pubs and bars throughout the city; the well-known areas around the Marco Polo Hotel and Haiwan Park and the recently developed Minzu Road and Daxue Road near Xiamen University´s main campus are a sequence of cafeterias, beer stations and food shops for any taste. You’ll never stop discovering new attractions!
XIAMEN’S STRATEGIC LOCATION
Just as the foreigners found this Fujianese island-city a convenient harbour to conquer during the XIX century, they still make use of it today. If you need to leave China periodically for Visa reasons, you should know that in Xiamen you can get a 30-minute ferry ride to the Taiwanese Island of Jinmen. In Jinmen, you can get a stamp in your passport and be back to Xiamen within two hours. You left and entered again China without too much hassle and saving a lot of money. If you get bored of China and need a change of environment, you can easily book a flight, spend your Friday and Saturday night in Taipei and come back at the end of the weekend. Xiamen is also a convenient starting point for exploring South-East Asia. The train ticket to Hong Kong is around 20 Euros for a 5-hour trip. Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Singapore are just a few hours away. If you’re interested in traveling to southeast Asia, have a look at the reasons to visit Singapore in 2019.
Lu Xun Museum inside Xiamen University
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MORE PHOTOS OF XIAMEN HERE
4 landscapes in XIAMEN, China
I’m sure that you’ll find more reasons to live in Xiamen once you’ve stayed there for a while… let me know what you think in the comments!
What did you do in Xiamen? I lived in Shanghai for 4 years and made a couple of trips there and did really appreciate the much milder climate. From your post it also sounds like the people there are much more open, it’s something I struggles with in Shanghai, but there were also so many things to love there!
I worked as an Italian and English teacher and studied Chinese. I did a couple of weekends in Shanghai and loved it, especially foodies, it’s a city that should never be skipped on a trip to China! Xiamenese are special, I guess it’s the weather and the fact they live on an island.
I heard a lot of good things about this place… cant wait to visit here one day…
A very informative article. You can just read this, pack your bag and go………
Thanks, Angela 🙂
That’s very informative, make me go to xiamen
Thanks, Hendro! I hope to go back there for a visit too!
If the weather is good – I AM THERE. This is basically the MAIN reason I live in Los Angeles and could never see myself moving anywhere else. The coldest degree I can handle is about 50! haha!
I’ve never been to LA. I know it from one of my favorite movies, the Big Lebowski 🙂 however… it’s on my bucket list!
My first to hear of it. One reason why I love blogs. It’s awesome to get introduced to new places.
Before I left Xiamen statistics announced there were more than 40000 thousands foreigners living on the island.I got to know the city it by word of mouth…But it’s very famous among Chinese
Wow, this place looks gorgeous. I am not sure I could live there, but traveling there for a visit would be incredible.
The weather and the great outdoors would be reason enough for me to want to live here. I’d love to retire somewhere, where the weather is more suitable than it is here.
Hi Terri, where are you staying now?
Hello, I have a 15 hour layover in Xiamen. Is going out of the airport and to the city easy? Are they friendly as well. Apprehensive of going out but I see it’s a nice city to explore! -aileen
Hello Aileen, yes yes yes! It’s totally worthy unless it’s raining heavily. What period will you be there? You might go directly to the center Zhongshan Road and get lost in the alleys and get the few minutes ferry to Gulangyu small island. Or, if you’d like to walk on the seaside, ask the taxi driver at the airport to bring you to Xiada Baicheng (Xiamen University Bai Gate) and start walking on the beach towards Zengcuo An. Another nice area is in Daxue Road/Minzu Road. You could go to the coffee street first and after start walking on the beach, wow I miss it! Enjoy Xiamen…
Dear Lizanna, Thank you for sharing your living experience in Xiamen. I am from India. These details are very useful for me as I am going to Xiamen at the end of this year. During my stay, my 3 year old son need to go Kindergarten. Is it possible to find a Kindergarten for foreigners in Xiamen. Kindly suggest me in this regard. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
There are many many bilingual kindergartens in Xiamen, but I only know frst person the ones for Chinese kids. I don’t know any which is exclusively for foreigners (I was teaching Chinese kids).
Dear Lizanna, Thank you for your information. I hope my Kid can get the admission in any one of the bilingual kindergartens. Thanks
Hi, I’m relocating with Xiamen with my 2 y/o next year. Have you had any success finding a good bilingual preschool for your Son?
Hi! Search for the “Xiamen International School” in Google. Good luck 🙂
Hey Liza, at what age did you move to China to start teaching?
Hi! I was already 26
Very informative blog, thank you! Wanted to know did you have a background in teaching, like a formal training/degree?
I did not have it for the English language… I used to find teaching jobs by word of mouth. Most of my friends who were teachers did not have it too. All they required was a demo class showing you were able to teach kids English.
Thanks Liza for your info sharing of Xiamen. I’m glad I have found your blog as I am coordinating a group to visit Xiamen for 4 days before making our way to Quanzhou for another 2 nights. What is your recommendation that we do in Xiamen as we’re a group of seniors visiting – youngest in the 60’s and oldest 75.
Hi! Thanks for the feedback 🙂 I would recommend absolutely to walk on the city ring road along the beach (Huandao Road), visit to the Nanputuo Temple (not everybody will be able to climb the hill, but the temple is a must-see), and the Taiwan-style street-food market at the back of Zhongshan Rd in the center. However, I’ve collected all my recommendation in this other post, please check it out /xiamen-city-china-things-to-do/
Thanks Liza for the very fast response to my query. I would definitely refer to your recommendations about Xiamen. Cheers!
Hi Liza
Many thanks for this article, a great way to learn about Xiamen and share your ideas. I am moving to Xiamen in July once Lockdown is over in the UK. I have been offered a job in a local school, very excited but at the same time anxious to settle down in a country when I don’t speak the language, very different culture from UK and food. But I am looking forward to exploring Xiamen. I will be staying in Siming District nearer to my workplace, but have not found any accommodation yet. I don’t drive and a vegetarian, kindly suggest how difficult to buy Indian spices, grocery etc. Thanks in advance for your kind help.
Hey Sam! It’s going to be such an adventure!!! I still miss Xiamen sometimes! I used to have curries all the time. I had a few Pakistani friends in Xiamen and they cooked Indian food as well. Xiamen food is spicy hot. You will find cheese in Western supermarkets, Siming is the best location 🙂 Ask your new Chinese friends to help you get all the Indian spices on the Chinese amazon which is called Taobao. Hit the Chinese supermarkets as well, because you could find spices there. Be sure to read my article “Xiamen City”! It’s the essential guide to town! Best wishes for your new job and life…
I was thinking of retiring somewhere in china it seems Xiamen is a good place.
Definitely! If you like sunlight and tea 🙂