Xiamen Jimei: A Family Travel Guide for Summer Vacation

Do you, like me, think of Gulangyu and Zhongshan Road when it comes to Xiamen travel? They are too popular. […]

Do you, like me, think of Gulangyu and Zhongshan Road when it comes to Xiamen travel? They are too popular. This time, led by a friend, I visited a hidden gem – Jimei District.

Speaking of traveling to Xiamen, I had been busy with work for a week before, and I was quite tired. After finishing my work, I wanted to find a place not far from Shanghai to relax for a few days, and Xiamen was the first choice. It only takes 2 hours to fly from Shanghai to Xiamen, which is not long, meeting my requirement of not wanting to sit on the plane for too long. My friend said they would take me to a hidden gem this time. Isn’t Xiamen travel about visiting Gulangyu, Zhongshan Road, eating satay noodles, and seafood? My friend said, ‘You’ll see when you get there,’ which was quite mysterious.

Upon landing, we took a taxi and arrived at the Crowne Plaza Xiamen Jimei Sea View Hotel in less than 30 minutes. The hotel is located on Xingbin Road in Jimei District, bustling outside and quiet inside. It is the first five-star high-end conference hotel of the InterContinental Hotel Group in Jimei District. Opening the curtains of my luxurious executive king room with floor-to-ceiling windows, I had a panoramic view of the sea. The welcome card, welcome snacks, and fruit plate in the room were very warm-hearted. The large bottle of Borghese amenities was used with confidence. I particularly liked the luxurious suite my friend stayed in, with a 180-degree sea view and a room size of 108 square meters, a set of rooms where you can see the sunrise. Taking photos in the room was very picturesque, and the room was decorated in a stylish, simple, and high-end manner, which is the style I like. This sea view hotel in Jimei District is really good.

I have been to Xiamen so many times, but it was my first time in Jimei District. I really regret not knowing about this hidden gem earlier. The hotel’s location is also good, within a 30-minute drive from Xiamen Station and Xiamen North Station. Nearby attractions include Xiamen Garden Expo Park, Jimei Academy, and Xinglin Bay Sea Bike Path, which are only 10 minutes away by car, making it convenient to go anywhere.

I was very satisfied with the rooms at the Crowne Plaza Xiamen Jimei Sea View Hotel, so I was quite looking forward to their restaurant. The fact is, it did not disappoint me.

The second-floor Chaofengxuan Chinese Restaurant mainly serves Cantonese cuisine, combined with the local food culture of Xiamen, allowing us to taste a variety of exquisite, delicious, and creative innovative dishes. The 绣球菌鲍鱼炖土鸡 is light and nutritious, and the 绣球菌 is my favorite mushroom, crisp and smooth. The 沙茶明虾球配乳香饼 is very special, with satay sauce at the bottom and a Q-elastic shrimp ball on top. I, who never eats pig’s trotters, ate my first pig’s trotter at the Crowne Plaza Xiamen Jimei Sea View Hotel. The 铁观音茶香猪手, with the addition of Tieguanyin tea, has a tea fragrance and is not greasy at all, but very delicious and chewy. There are also Chaofeng Sancai Dish, Puning Binghua Mindong Yellow Croaker, Pepper and Jade All-Flower Bacon Rolls, Onion Oil Meat Juice Baked Lipu Taro, etc., all of which are very distinctive and delicious.

The Cantonese dim sum at Chaofengxuan Seafood Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Xiamen Jimei Sea View Hotel is exquisite and delicious. The Cantonese lunch and dinner tea buffet has a high cost-performance ratio, and there are many dishes to choose from. There are Chaofengxuan Shrimp Dumplings, Abalone Rice, Imperial Shrimp Balls, Pan-fried Buns, etc. The sea view environment is very comfortable for enjoying tea and snacks.

After enjoying Chinese-style afternoon tea at Chaofengxuan Bay View 22 Cantonese Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Xiamen Jimei Sea View Hotel with friends, a few salty snacks taste very good, and the desserts are not too sweet, just right. Looking at the sea view outside the window and the flying egrets, it’s a comfortable afternoon.

After dining at Chaofengxuan, I was also looking forward to the all-day buffet dinner at Yuemei Restaurant, which did not disappoint me, and the buffet dinner has a high cost-performance ratio. Just looking at it makes people’s mouths water, hot dishes, sashimi, and seafood in the sauce,Although everyone was full, they still didn’t miss the high-value and delicious desserts. This hotel’s restaurant really captures the guests’ stomachs, no wonder the occupancy rate is so high.
Every day I eat very satisfied, afraid of gaining weight. Then don’t forget to exercise, the hotel’s leisure facilities are also very complete, go to the gym and the pool to play!
There is also a children’s paradise loved by children here, parents finally have their own time, let the children play to their heart’s content!

Xiamen Garden Expo Park
Address: Jimei District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, Xinglin Bay Sea Dike East Section Garden Expo Park Scenic Area
Ticket: Free
Transportation: Take Xiamen Metro Line 1 to Garden Expo Park Station to arrive.
Xiamen Garden Expo Park is 10 minutes away from the hotel, very close. It is in Xinglin Bay, a national 4A-level scenic spot, a national key park, and a national urban wetland park, five times as large as Gulangyu, so we hired an electric car.
It is also known as the ‘Water Grand View Garden’, with the main exhibition island, Fujian-Taiwan Island, Education Island, Hot Spring Island, Ocean Island, etc. The main exhibition island is the largest, and we took an afternoon to walk only one-third. We visited the National Customs Garden, Water Wheel Garden, Beijing Garden, Jinan Garden, and you can appreciate the characteristics and customs of various cities here.
Friends from Shanghai thought I went to Thailand when they saw this photo of me. You can take photos of different styles here, and the key is that the ticket is free.
It’s very suitable for taking photos here, and there is a Jiangnan Water Street suitable for taking photos in Hanfu. It turns out that you can experience the charm of Jiangnan in Xiamen. It’s a pity that the park is too large and I didn’t go, leaving regret for the next visit to make up for.
I harvested a large purple flower field on Ocean Island, playing the piano in the romantic sea of flowers, the sweet fragrance of flowers penetrated the tip of the nose, strongly recommended for taking photos and taking cards.
You can also harvest a group of beautiful portrait photos like me here.
The eight scenes of the Garden Expo Park should not be missed, and you can also experience the voice-controlled flowers. In the evening, when people stand under the flowers, they will bloom, which is very interesting. In the evening, it is also a good place for Xiamen citizens to take a walk, and the night view is also very beautiful. In addition to electric cars, you can also choose to take a small train, this way of appreciating the Garden Expo Park is also very good.

Xinglin Bay Sea Bike Path
The sea bike path is located on the coastline of Xinglin Bay, Jimei, Xiamen, with a total length of 20.6 kilometers. It is a waterfront leisure belt with the theme of ecological sports. We set off from the hotel and drove a Tesla to go there. Seagulls cross the sea surface, and the sea breeze blows the long hair, cycling on the sea bike path is a special experience.
This kind of leisure travel method is what I like, and it is not something you can experience in Shanghai. The high-intensity work pressure sometimes makes it hard to breathe. Looking at the beautiful sea view, choosing Xiamen, I know I have made the right choice.

Jimei Academy
Address: No. 183, Yinjiang Road, Jimei District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province
Transportation: Subway Line 1 Jimei Academy Station.
Xiamen friends have long told me that this place is worth visiting, with many beautiful buildings, which is very suitable for me who likes to take photos of buildings. It was founded by Mr. Tan Kah Kee in 1913 and is the general term for all kinds of schools and various cultural institutions in Jimei, a century-old academy. Located on the Jimei Peninsula in Jimei Village, Xiamen, there is the most beautiful middle school here. The architectural style here combines Chinese and Western elements, which is a typical Southern Fujian overseas Chinese architectural style, also known as the ‘Tan Kah Kee style’.

Dragon Boat Pool
The dragon boat pool here, the Jimei Academy Dragon Boat Race is almost held here every year on the Dragon Boat Festival. In addition to commemorating Qu Yuan, the dragon boat race is especially to promote the spirit of ‘sincerity and perseverance’, and Mr. Tan Kah Kee hopes that students will not only study well but also have a strong physique.

Return Hall
Entering the former residence of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, this is aTan Kah Kee Park is a hidden gem located on the north side of Ao Garden, connected to it seamlessly. The park is a marvel of Chinese-style architecture, featuring red pillars, flying eaves, and glazed tile pavilions and towers. These structures are connected by winding corridors, creating a majestic dragon display. Within the park, you’ll find not only these architectural wonders but also pools, curved bridges, stone railings, and expansive lawns.

The architecture in Tan Kah Kee Park is truly astonishing. In addition to the traditional Chinese elements, the park also offers a serene environment with its pools, bridges, and railings. While the beach is still under construction and inaccessible, the park provides a beautiful sea view, adding to its charm.

Adjacent to the park, Jimei Academy boasts a variety of gardens such as Ao Garden, Return Garden, and Cultural Creative Garden. These are highly recommended for a visit, offering a rich cultural and historical experience. Xiamen’s cultural history and humanistic atmosphere can be felt throughout these spaces.

Previously, I thought that three days were enough to explore Xiamen’s attractions. However, after discovering Jimei, I found myself still wanting more after four days and three nights. Next time, I will plan better and explore Jimei District more thoroughly. Xiamen is an ideal destination for a family vacation. With its historic Gulangyu buildings, the picturesque Xiamen University, and the culturally rich Jimei Academy, there is plenty to explore with children and family. This summer vacation, consider a trip to Xiamen for a memorable parent-child adventure.