Gulangyu 24 Hours｜I Found the Right Way to Avoid the Crowds!

People say Gulangyu is heavily commercialized, but this time I specifically chose early morning and evening to spend a day rediscovering this "Garden on the Sea," and I found: it’s still romantically heartwarming. 📍7:30 AM｜Get on the island from Sanqiutian Pier, fewer people means better photos I purposely took the early boat (departing at 7:10 from the Cruise Center), the round-trip ticket is 35 yuan, and you can board by scanning your ID. Once on the island, head straight to the [Most Beautiful Corner]. It was not even 8 AM, the sunlight was just right, with blue walls and red flowers as the background. I took 20 photos without a single passerby in the frame! 📷 I recommend wearing a light-colored dress; it really feels cinematic. On the way, turn into [Bagua Building], the red dome looks like a castle from a fairy tale. The entrance fee is 10 yuan, and from the top, you can overlook a sea of red rooftops—super soothing. 📍10:00 AM｜Hide in Shuzhuang Garden, listen to the whispers of the sea and garden [Shuzhuang Garden] is my top pick on Gulangyu! The ticket is 30 yuan, totally worth it. The Hidden Sea Garden blends the sea into the garden, with the Forty-four Bridge winding into the sea. When the wind blows, the sound of waves hitting the bridge pillars sounds like piano music. Don’t miss the [Piano Museum] inside the garden, where century-old pianos are neatly displayed, and even the air feels musical. 📍12:00 PM｜Snack street on Longtou Road, only trust these few shops ✅ Ye’s Mochi: a mobile stall, sticky mochi coated with peanut powder, 18 yuan/box, cash only! ✅ Lin’s Fish Balls: broth is fresh and sweet, fish balls are bouncy enough to jump, 15 yuan per bowl. ✅ Zhang Sanfeng Milk Tea: perfect for photo check-ins, signature foam black tea 25 yuan, taste is average. ✅ Su Xiaotang: macarons and nougat make great souvenirs, with exquisite packaging. 📍3:00 PM｜Climb Sunlight Rock for a panoramic view of Xiamen [Sunlight Rock] ticket is 50 yuan, the highest point on Gulangyu. It’s recommended to climb after 4 PM to avoid the scorching sun and tour groups. The view from the top is unbeatable: red-roofed houses, old villas hidden among green trees, the skyscrapers of Xiamen Island in the distance, and the historical stories of the Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall—every step reveals a new scene. 📍6:00 PM｜Watch the sunset at Neicuo’ao Pier, fewer people and full of romance Most people leave the island from Sanqiutian, but this time I walked to [Neicuo’ao Pier], strolled along Gangzaihou Beach, and sat on the rocks watching the orange sea sunset. The sea breeze gently brushed by, almost no one disturbed me, it felt like I owned the whole island. 📌Useful Tips: Wear comfortable flat shoes! The island is full of stone paths and steps; Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen, the UV rays are very strong; Buy boat tickets in advance on the “Yu Jian Xiamen” mini program, choose “Cruise Center → Sanqiutian” for the most convenience; It’s okay not to stay on the island, I suggest arriving by 10 AM and leaving before 5 PM, the timing is just right. Gulangyu isn’t as bad as you might imagine. As long as you’re willing to get up early, walk slowly, and look carefully, it’s still an island that makes people fall in love. What was your first feeling when you visited Gulangyu? Let’s chat in the comments~