Top 20 Family-friendly Attractions in Xiamen

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M50***57

Memories of Xiamen Botanical Garden On December 19th, I visited the Xiamen Botanical Garden and made a special trip to the National Bougainvillea Germplasm Resource Bank. I was surprised to learn that bougainvillea, botanically known as a climbing shrub in the Nyctaginaceae family, is native to South America. It is vigorous, thrives in warm climates, and typically blooms in November. Due to its vibrant colors and long flowering period, it has been widely introduced and cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and is now the city flower of more than 30 cities in my country, including Xiamen. The Bougainvillea Germplasm Resource Bank is a "gene bank" of bougainvillea genetic resources, currently housing nearly 500 varieties, accounting for almost half of the world's varieties and ranking first in China. It consists of a bougainvillea germplasm resource conservation base and a bougainvillea exhibition garden. The exhibition garden fully utilizes the natural landscape of the botanical garden, including mountains, rocks, and water, with "flowers and rocks" as its design theme. It highlights both the vibrant beauty of bougainvillea and the unique characteristics of Wanshi Mountain. Following the natural contours of the mountain, the bougainvillea are arranged at varying heights, dividing the area into several zones, including a flower sea area, a bonsai area, a variety area, and a leisure area. Stepping into the flower sea area is like entering a dreamlike wonderland. Hundreds of bougainvillea varieties bloom in competition, their colors ranging from fiery reds and brilliant oranges to dazzling yellows and pure whites. They cascade down the terraced terrain in tiers like waterfalls, creating a magnificent sea of ​​bougainvillea flowers. The walkways meander through this floral paradise; strolling along them, the layers of blossoms resemble colorful waves, swaying gently in the breeze. The invigorating fragrance carried on the breeze is refreshing and unforgettable. Entering the variety area is like stepping into a natural kingdom of bougainvillea. Here, the bougainvillea grows intermittently alongside the rocks, blending perfectly with the surrounding natural environment. Strolling along the winding paths, one encounters numerous "bougainvillea beauties"—varieties like Snow White, Mona Lisa, Hong Kong Beauty, Orange Ice, and River Lotus, each with its own unique charm: some stand gracefully on either side of the path; others nestle against the rocks, all alluring. Among them, the "Red-Bud Beauty" series is the most abundant, with varieties like Yi Hong, Pink Little Elf, Double-Petaled Jujube Red, Golden Deer Crimson, and Deep Red Wrinkled Leaves, each possessing its own distinct character. The "green foliage" adorning these "beauties" is also unique, with varying shades of green, sizes, and even patterns—silver-edged, gold-edged, variegated, and wrinkled leaves creating a delightful contrast. Immersed in the garden, appreciating the rich variety of bougainvillea varieties, and fully enjoying nature's bounty, one's heart is filled with comfort and happiness. Stepping into the leisure area, one enters a tranquil resting place amidst the sea of ​​flowers. Here, you'll find a meticulously crafted "Love Corridor," with vibrant red hearts strung together to form archways, and animal shapes woven from bougainvillea, their graceful forms creating a romantic atmosphere. Lawns, flagstone paths, and rest pavilions are scattered throughout, complementing each other beautifully. Strolling along, you can stop to take photos, enjoy panoramic views of the magnificent terraced flower fields, and gaze at the stunning scenery of Wanshi Mountain and the bougainvillea's graceful, climbing blossoms. Against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, colorful flowers, and green grass, you can truly appreciate the harmonious beauty of humanity and nature. In short, the bougainvillea flower sea is one of the most visually stunning biological landscapes I've ever seen on my travels.

Anonymous user

The exhibits are rather limited, but the performances are a highlight! The fort itself isn't large, but it's steeped in history, offering good views of the ancient cannons and the coastline. However, the most outstanding feature is the live-action "Krupp Cannon" performance, which simulates loading and firing—a truly awe-inspiring experience that instantly brings history closer, making the visit lively and engaging. Visiting during the performance time will greatly enhance the experience.

_We***79

My child was so excited about the whale specimen, and was immediately overwhelmed by its sheer size. He cried... a true example of "Lord Ye's love of dragons" (a Chinese idiom meaning someone who professes to love something but is actually afraid of it)... hahaha. The guide was incredibly gentle and patient, and I thoroughly enjoyed the explanations! A million thumbs up!

_TI***2d

Loved it. Lots to do, you could spend all day there. Also make sure you hire a buggy. This place is huge.

M50***57

Memories of Shuzhuang Garden ★ Discover a Beautiful Scene Shuzhuang Canghai (Hidden Sea in Shuzhuang) is one of Xiamen's famous scenic spots, referring to Shuzhuang Garden on Gulangyu Island. The garden is divided into two parts: "Hidden Sea" and "Supplementing the Mountain," a modern garden that combines concealment, borrowing, and ingenuity. Upon entering the garden, your view is initially blocked by a yellow wall, allowing only a glimpse of the small courtyard. Passing through an archway, the sea suddenly unfolds, a delightful surprise thanks to the design of first concealing and then revealing. Next, walk to the Forty-Four Bridge, an excellent spot for viewing the sea, named after the garden's owner who was forty-four years old when he built the bridge. A sluice gate under the bridge calms the turbulent sea, cleverly concealing a corner of the ocean within the garden. Strolling along the Forty-Four Bridge, you can enjoy views of the sandy beach and azure sea nearby, the distant Nan Taiwu Mountain, and the silhouette of Sunlight Rock. The surrounding mountain and sea scenery is fully captured within the garden's view, showcasing its open and transparent beauty. Stepping into the piano museum within "Tingtaoxuan," a variety of antique pianos come into view, as if entering a secret realm sealed with time and melody. I was filled with awe and fascination, only regretting missing the scheduled live performance. Walking to the latter part of the garden, I learned that the name "Bushan" (补山) implies "a broken country in urgent need of repair," revealing the garden owner's deep patriotism. The core landscape of Bushan Garden is the Twelve Caves, constructed of reddish-brown sandstone, divided into twelve caves, each containing a statue of one of the twelve zodiac animals. The caves are interconnected, with winding paths, resembling an intricate maze. Seeing many children playing and frolicking freely in the caves filled me with a sense of carefree joy. ★Encountering a Sunset In my memory, sunset is around six o'clock in the evening, but unexpectedly, just after five o'clock, I witnessed a magnificent sunset. At first, the sun hung high above the sea, its midday heat fading to a soft, warm hue. Gradually, the red sun rose above the water, painting the horizon a rich orange-red. The sea and the beach, washed by the waves, transformed into a delicate canvas, bathed in the glow of the sunset. The shimmering waves were filled with flowing gold and red, as if God had spilled his palette, unrestrained yet harmonious. On the beach, people were enveloped in a warm glow, the daytime hustle and bustle gone, replaced only by the sounds of the waves and laughter. Some gazed quietly, some captured moments with cameras, some chased the waves barefoot, family and friends sat side by side, a scene of heartwarming human warmth, comfortable and peaceful. Finally, the red sun slowly sank into the sea, leaving only a faint afterglow on the horizon, the sky gradually turning indigo. This enchanting sunset blended the bridges, pavilions, rocks, sea, and trees of Shuzhuang Garden into the poetic beauty of twilight. It was just an ordinary dusk, but the garden scenery, embraced by the setting sun, made it exceptionally beautiful, making people reluctant to leave and filled with a healing warmth.

Anonymous user

One of the most satisfying itineraries in Xiamen. After the holidays, I enjoyed the experience of chartering a boat. The boatman enthusiastically introduced the beautiful scenery on the sea. The trip ended in half an hour. It is worth recommending!

鸢尾###

First of all, if you go there for the first time without someone to guide you or make a plan in advance, it will be a bit nonsense. Apart from watching the performance and taking pictures, there are too few things to play, especially for young children. They can't understand the performance and can't sit still.

Surya Adi Guna

If you have time at least 2 hours, it is good to spend it here. Really enjoyable, and good performance.

Charles

impressive! very well organized..lot of funfood is really good! we had an amazing day!

Anonymous user

The Cloud Observation Deck is worth a visit, especially with children. There are exciting aerial projects on it, which require an additional fee. The view from above is great, you can see Gulangyu Island and take photos of the sunset.