Xiamen is a breezy coastal city in China's Fujian province, facing the Taiwan Strait and wrapped around an island of parks, beaches and old colonial villas. For many Singaporeans the trip carries a sense of homecoming, as a large share of Singapore's Chinese community traces its roots to southern Fujian, and Hokkien, the language you will hear in Xiamen's markets, is still familiar to many families here. Others come for the seafood, the car-free island of Gulangyu and the easy pace of a city known as one of China's cleanest. Flights to Xiamen are simple to compare on Traveloka, from direct departures at Changi to one-stop options through other Chinese cities.

About Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is the main airport for Xiamen and a busy gateway for the whole of southern Fujian, handling both international and domestic traffic.

Location

Gaoqi sits in the north-east of Xiamen Island, in Huli district, which puts it unusually close to the city. The downtown Siming district and the ferry piers for Gulangyu are a straightforward drive across the island.

Terminals

Passenger services are split across more than one terminal building, so international and domestic flights may leave from different halls. Check the terminal shown on your e-ticket, and allow extra time if you are connecting between an international arrival and a domestic departure.

Getting to and from the Airport

Metered taxis wait outside arrivals and are the most direct way to reach Siming, Zhongshan Road or the ferry terminals. Airport shuttle buses run to key parts of the city, and ride-hailing apps are widely used in China. Keep your accommodation address written in Chinese characters to show the driver.

Direct and Connecting Flights to Xiamen

Nonstop services link Singapore and Xiamen, and on the search results you can tick the direct filter to show only those. When direct seats are tight, for instance around Chinese New Year, connecting through a larger Chinese hub or elsewhere in the region can open more dates. If Xiamen is part of a wider Fujian trip, also consider flying into one city and out of another, and compare arrival times so you can make the most of your first evening on the island.

When to Fly to Xiamen

Xiamen has a mild subtropical climate. Autumn, from around October to early December, is the most comfortable time, with clear skies and low humidity. Spring is pleasant too but can bring fog and drizzle, while summer is hot and humid, and the typhoon season from around July to September can disrupt ferries and flights along the Fujian coast. Winters are cool rather than cold.

Chinese New Year is the biggest demand spike on routes between Singapore and Xiamen, as families travel for reunions and ancestral visits. China's own Golden Week in early October and the May Day holiday fill Gulangyu with domestic tourists, and Singapore's June and December school holidays add pressure from this end. Watch the fare charts on this page and set a Price Alert if your dates fall close to these peaks.

Popular Places in Xiamen

Gulangyu Island

A short ferry ride from downtown, this UNESCO-listed island has no cars, just winding lanes lined with colonial-era mansions, churches, gardens and a piano museum. Book ferry tickets ahead in busy seasons, as daily visitor numbers are managed.

Nanputuo Temple

This Buddhist temple at the foot of Wulao Peak is one of the most important in southern Fujian. Climb the trail behind it for views across the city and the sea.

Xiamen University and Furong Tunnel

Often called one of China's most beautiful campuses, the university blends lakes, palms and southern-style buildings. Its graffiti-covered tunnel is a favourite with students and visitors.

Huandao Road and Zengcuo'an

A seaside boulevard circles much of the island, ideal for cycling past beaches and sculptures. Along the way, the old fishing village of Zengcuo'an is now packed with cafés, snack stalls and small shops.

Fujian Tulou

Inland from Xiamen, the giant round earthen houses of the Hakka and Hokkien communities are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular day trip by road.

Where to Stay in Xiamen

Siming district is the heart of the action, with Zhongshan Road's pedestrian shopping street, the waterfront and the ferry piers for Gulangyu. The eastern coast around Huandao Road and Zengcuo'an suits travellers who want sea views and a relaxed beach feel. Huli district, in the north, is practical for the airport and business trips, while Gulangyu itself has charming guesthouses in restored villas for those who want a quiet night after the day-trippers leave.

Food to Try in Xiamen

Oyster Omelette

Small, briny oysters fried with egg and sweet potato starch until crisp at the edges, served with a sweet chilli sauce. Singaporeans will recognise it as the cousin of orh luak.

Shacha Noodles

Noodles in a rich, savoury broth made from shacha paste of dried seafood, garlic and spices, topped with your choice of pork, tofu, squid or innards.

Popiah

Thin wheat wrappers rolled around stir-fried vegetables, egg and seafood. The Xiamen version is a close relative of the popiah sold in Singapore hawker centres.

Peanut Soup

A sweet, silky dessert of slow-cooked peanuts that melt in the mouth, often eaten for breakfast with a fried dough stick.

Tusundong

A local delicacy of sea worms set into a clear jelly and eaten cold with vinegar, garlic and chilli. It sounds adventurous, but it is refreshing and very Xiamen.

Tempted by island strolls and Hokkien flavours? Search flights to Xiamen on Traveloka, compare direct and connecting options, and turn on a Price Alert for your dates.