Xiamen Garden Expo Park | A Great Place for Family Outings

| A Great Place for Family Outings. Xiamen Garden Expo Park—this "Water Garden Museum" covering 3.31 square kilometers connects 9 islands and 2 peninsulas with 16 bridges, perfectly capturing the elegance of Jiangnan waterways, the homey feel of Lingnan ancient houses, the vibrancy of Southeast Asian culture, and the liveliness of wetland birds! Family travel guide ready to use—save this article and let your children run free in this natural classroom while parents relax! 👨👩👧👦✨ 🚇 I. Transportation & Entrance: One-Click Access to Hassle-Free Routes 1️⃣ Direct Subway Access, Seamless Connection 🚇 Take subway Line 1 to "Garden Expo Park Station," exit from Gate 2, and walk 149 meters to reach the West Gate! Recommended entrances are West Gate 1/West Gate 2, with connecting electric cart express service for just 5 yuan per person—easy and effortless for the whole family! 🚗 If driving, navigate to "West Gate 1 Parking Lot," closest to the service center and convenient for renting camping cars/bicycles! 2️⃣ Reservation Tips 📝 🆓 The children's play area is free but requires reservation one day in advance through the "Xiamen Tourism Distribution Service Center" WeChat official account! 🕒 Opening hours: 06:00-24:00 (night tours and bird watching are more peaceful, but some venues close after 17:30) 🎡 II. Must-Visit Routes: Nature + Education + Fun Three-in-One 🌳 Morning: Nature Class is in Session! 1️⃣ Insect Return Earth Museum—A Fantastic Journey of Cute Animals and Science 🦎 Location: Next to the Ethnic Culture Park 🔥 Highlights: First floor main exhibition hall: Star animal presentations (tiger parakeets/lizards/geckos), kids learn while listening with full attention! Second floor desert exhibition: Dust-free sandbox + dinosaur models, kids won't want to leave! Rainforest World: When the fog system activates, the Tyndall effect is breathtaking—take forest-style photos effortlessly! ⏰ Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours (fewer people in the morning for the best experience!) 2️⃣ Bird Watching Corridor—Say Good Morning to 158 Bird Species 🐦 Location: Opposite North Sea Garden extending to the Golden Shell Exhibition Hall 🔍 Activity: Rent binoculars (10 yuan/hour) to spot egrets/cormorants/red-billed gulls, with a chance to witness the spectacular "birds returning to forest" phenomenon! 📌 Tips: During bird-watching season (December-February), you can sign up for free public courses (nature notes/art creation/music integration)! 🍱 Noon: Lawn Picnic + Camping Break 🌞 Recommended spots: South Gate Green Space/Lingnan Garden Lawn 🍱 Picnic essentials: Sandwiches/fruits/mosquito repellent patches—spread out your picnic mat so kids can play while parents relax and watch shows! ⛺️ Camping equipment: Bring your own tent (free on shared green spaces) or rent park tents (50 yuan/day)! 🎢 Afternoon: Full Play Mode! 1️⃣ Children's Park—30+ Non-Powered Facilities for Endless Fun 🎡 Location: Next to the Ethnic Culture Park 🔥 Must-try activities: Flower Vine Tower (climbing challenge)/Bubble Fish Shallow (water play area)/Space Walk (interactive installation) Family Bird's Nest Swing: Parents and children swinging together—incredibly heartwarming! ⏰ Opening hours: 09:00-17:30 (reservation required, closed Mondays for maintenance) 2️⃣ Boating on the Lake—Claim Your Own Egret Paradise 🚣♀️ Location: Sky Dock 🛶 Boat options: "Swan Boats" (80 yuan/hour) are best for families—feed koi fish at the bow and chase egrets at the stern! Adventurous kids can try "Transparent Kayaks" (50 yuan/30 minutes) for an immersive wetland ecology experience! 🍜 III. Food Supply Stations: Garden Expo Park on Your Taste Buds 1️⃣ Lake Garden SKY HIGH—Waterfront Café 🍰 Location: Waterfront platform under Yunzhen Bridge 🍹 Must-order: Mango pomelo sago shaved ice + sea salt cheese croissant, enjoy the sparkling lake view while kids eat desserts and parents take photos! 2️⃣ Fangtianji Convenience Store—Energy Replenishment Station 🥪 Location: Wooden house in the Ethnic Culture Park 🌯 Recommendations: Minnan fried jujubes + five-spice rolls + grass jelly honey, freshly made snacks that are hot and crispy—perfect for tired legs! 📸 IV. Photo Spots: Secure Your Social Media Spotlight 1️⃣ Jiangnan Garden—Family Photos in a Chinese Ink Painting 🏮 Recommended spots: Suzhou Garden/Hangzhou Garden, wear Hanfu/qipao, kids carry lanterns, parents hold fans—instantly transport to Jiangnan! 2️⃣ Lingnan Garden—Ancient Architecture Meets Adorable Kids 🏯 Must-photograph: Moon-shaped gates/Wenfeng Tower/gray-tiled buildings with blue bricks, capture dynamic moments of kids running on stone steps! 3️⃣ Misty Wonderland—Ethereal Family Photos 🌫️ Location: Ethnic Culture Park ⏰ Opening hours: Weekends 09:30-12:00/14:30-16:00, when the mist rises, children look like little elves darting through the forest! 💡 V. Insider Tips: Details 99% of Parents Don't Know! 1️⃣ Transportation Warnings ⚠️ North Gate 1 is closed for construction until June 2025—don't navigate to the wrong entrance! In-park electric carts cost 10 yuan/person one-way, free for children under 1.2 meters. Consider buying the "Express Line + Loop Line" combo ticket for better value! 2️⃣ Time Management ⏳ The park is huge—easy to get lost! Recommended route: Insect Return Earth Museum → Children's Park → Boating → Jiangnan Garden, expect to walk over 20,000 steps, so wear comfortable athletic shoes! After 16:00, the light is softer—perfect for photos before heading back to avoid closing time crowds! 3️⃣ Hidden Benefits 🎁 Free guided tours: The Ecology Hall/Golden Shell Hall offer scheduled science presentations (10:00/15:00), and kids can collect stamps on task cards to exchange for small gifts! Plant mystery boxes: Get seed mystery boxes at the Horticultural Science Park (reservation required)—take them home to plant and create a spring ritual!