Xiamen Gulangyu 5 days 4 nights for 2400 RMB, not just making do, but a model of refined budget travel

As a travel blogger focused on high cost-performance deep travel, I am happy to customize for you 📍 Xiamen Gulangyu 5 days 4 nights slow travel guide 📅 Duration: 5 days 4 nights 💰 Budget: within 2400 RMB (including transportation, accommodation, meals, attractions, experiences) 🏝️ Style: artistic island, slow life, photo-worthy, authentic food, light vacation. This itinerary not only covers the classics of Gulangyu but also integrates the essence of Xiamen main island (Zengcuoan, Huandao Road, Shapowei, Nanputuo Temple, Botanical Garden), suitable for students, freelancers, or anyone wanting to slow down. Worth the spend, good stay, delicious food, beautiful photos! ✅ Highlights Stay in boutique guesthouses on Gulangyu, enjoy the quiet old streets in the early morning Climb Sunlight Rock for a panoramic view of the island, stroll through Shuzhuang Garden listening to the sea Experience a traditional handmade class (stuffed pancake or coffee) Cycle around the island, watch the sunset, visit artistic markets Eat all the local specialties: satay noodles, oyster omelet, tubeworm jelly, seafood stalls 🎒 Detailed itinerary (artistic slow travel version) D1: Departure → Xiamen Station → Gulangyu Island | First encounter with the sea garden ✈️/🚄 Transportation: Book tickets in advance, off-season round-trip flights often cost ¥500-700 (e.g., from Changsha/Nanchang/Hangzhou) If taking high-speed train (e.g., Fuzhou → Xiamen ¥84.5), round trip about ¥170 Recommend choosing early trains to start the trip the same day 🚇 After arriving in Xiamen: Xiamen Station → Xiamen Cruise Center Xiagulangyu Pier (taxi ¥15 or bus ¥2) ⛴️ Ferry tickets: Buy the "Tourist Line" towards Sanqiutian Pier Price: ¥35 (round trip) ✅ Buy in advance on the "Xiamen Ferry" WeChat public account 🏡 Accommodation: Recommended boutique guesthouse on Gulangyu, standard room ¥380/night (can share room to split cost) Recommended areas: Neicuo'ao, near Longtou Road, quiet and convenient 🍜 Dinner: Longtou Road Snack Street: Satay noodles ¥15, oyster omelet ¥18, fish ball soup ¥10, peanut soup ¥8 Total: ¥50 🚶 Activities: Evening: Go to Gangzaihou Beach to watch the sunset (free) Night: Listen to piano music in the alleys, feel the "Island of Music" 💡 Tips: Motor vehicles are banned on the island, luggage should be light, can be stored at the pier. D2: Full day deep tour of Gulangyu, international architecture + most beautiful corners 🗺️ Recommended walking route (clockwise around the island + climb): 1. Most beautiful corner (filming location of the movie "The Left Ear", must for photos) 2. Bagua Building (Organ Museum) (free outside, inside ¥15 optional) 3. Former Japanese Consulate → Lin Yutang Former Residence (¥10) 4. Shuzhuang Garden (ticket ¥30, includes Piano Museum + Forty-four Bridge) ✅ Highly recommended! 5. Haoyue Garden (Statue of Zheng Chenggong, ticket ¥15) 6. Sunlight Rock (highest point, ticket ¥50) ✅ Climb to the top for panoramic island view 🍱 Lunch: Bring your own snacks or rice rolls from street stalls ¥12 🌅 Afternoon: Walk along the coastal trail (from Gangzaihou to Dadeji Beach) Visit old villas like Fanzailou, Huang Rongyuantang, etc. 🍻 Evening: Back to guesthouse for tea, or join Gulangyu night tour (optional, ¥68/person) D3: Gulangyu → Xiamen main island | Zengcuoan + Huandao Road cycling ⛴️ Morning ferry back to Xiamen (Sanqiutian → Ferry Terminal, ¥8) 🚕 Taxi or bus to Zengcuoan (¥15) 🏡 Accommodation: Change to Zengcuoan artistic guesthouse dorm bed ¥80/night (or upgrade to sea view room ¥200) 🍜 Lunch: Zengcuoan snacks: tubeworm jelly ¥15, shrimp cake ¥10, coconut jelly ¥12, satay grilled meat ¥18 🚴 Afternoon: Rent shared bike to cycle Huandao Road Route: Zengcuoan → Baicheng Beach → Hulishan Fortress perimeter → Seaside Bathing Beach → Music Square About 8 km, stunning scenery 🌅 Evening: Watch sunset at Baicheng Beach or Music Square 🍽️ Dinner: Seafood stall: spicy stir-fried clams ¥38, steamed sea bass ¥68, garlic water spinach ¥22 (shared by two, about ¥65 per person) D4: Xiamen main island cultural day | Nanputuo Temple + Botanical Garden + Shapowei 🌄 Morning: Visit Nanputuo Temple (✅ free, reservation required) Climb Wulao Peak for views of Xiamen University and the sea Stop by Xiamen University (currently limited access, can take photos outside) 🌿 Noon: Visit Xiamen Botanical Garden (ticket ¥30, student ¥15) Must-see: succulent area (cactus kingdom), rainforest world (spray time 10:00-12:00) 🍽️ Lunch: Snacks near Botanical Garden or bring your own meal ¥20 🌆 Afternoon: Head to Shapowei Art West District Art shops, graffiti walls, old fishing boats, independent cafes Recommended cafes: Reborn Coffee, Double Win 🍻 Evening: Join Shapowei night market/art market (weekends) Or go to Bay Park to listen to street music D5: Departure day | Zhongshan Road + return home** 🌅 Morning: Go to Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street White arcade buildings, great for photos Buy souvenirs: Huang Shengji dried meat ¥40/pack Aji stuffed pancake ¥25/box Gulangyu mung bean cake ¥30 Total controlled within ¥100 🍜 Lunch: "Yuehua Satay Noodles" or "Lianhuan Oyster Omelet" (about ¥25 per person) 🚄 According to train time: Head to Xiamen Station/North Station for return 💰 Budget details (based on double room sharing + student discount) Item Cost (RMB) Round-trip transportation (flight/train) ¥650 Gulangyu ferry tickets (round trip + island exit) ¥35 Accommodation (4 nights): Gulangyu guesthouse ¥380 (shared room ¥190) Zengcuoan hostel ¥80 ¥270 Meals (5 days × ¥80) ¥400 Attraction tickets (with student discount): Sunlight Rock ¥50 Shuzhuang Garden ¥30 Botanical Garden ¥30 Haoyue Garden ¥15 Lin Yutang Former Residence ¥10 ¥135 City transport (bus + metro + taxi) ¥60 Handmade experience (stuffed pancake or coffee class) ¥68 Water/snacks/souvenirs ¥120 Emergency fund ¥100 Souvenirs ¥100 Total ¥2338 ✅ Surplus: ¥62! *Can be used to upgrade a seafood meal or buy more specialties 📸 Travel blogger tips: 1. Student ID is a money saver: Botanical Garden, Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden all half price! 2. Best seasons: Spring (March-May): bougainvillea blooms, pleasant climate Autumn (September-November): cool and less rain, good for hiking Avoid typhoon season and high heat in July-August 3. Clothing advice: Bring a light jacket in spring and autumn, summer sun protection set (hat + sunglasses + arm sleeves) Wear comfortable shoes! Gulangyu is all stone pavement 4. Photo spots recommended: Most beautiful corner in the early morning Forty-four Bridge extending into the sea at Shuzhuang Garden Graffiti walls in Shapowei Art West District Succulent cactus forest in Botanical Garden Cycling silhouette on Huandao Road 5. Authentic snack list: Satay noodles (Yuehua, Sili) Oyster omelet (Lianhuan, Longtou) Tubeworm jelly (for the brave) Peanut soup with fried dough sticks Fish ball soup (old brand at Bajishi) 🎹 Conclusion: 2400 RMB to explore Xiamen Gulangyu for 5 days 4 nights, not just making do, but a model of refined budget travel. Listen to rain in red brick old houses, chase the wind on Huandao Road, write travel diaries in Shapowei cafes— This is what island slow life should be like. Spend smart, play fully, remember to bring a good mood, let's go!