What's on in Xiamen, China through the year

Peak crowds — Xiamen Marathon, Winter break (around Chinese New Year) in China

• Festival

  Xiamen Marathon

  11 JanMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  One of China's oldest big-city races, run along the island's sea road in the first half of January. Hotels on the ring road and the ferry side of town go early for it. Source ↗

• Rule

  Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked

  1 Jan – 31 DecBook earlyClosures

  The island runs on a daily visitor limit and timed ferry tickets bought online, and visitors sail from the cruise terminal rather than the pier opposite it. Buy before you arrive in the city. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Spring Festival

  15–23 FebLunar New YearCrowdedBook early

  Xiamen is a domestic holiday city and this is its biggest week. Gulangyu's daily allocation sells out days ahead and the causeway traffic onto the island backs up from mid-morning. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Spring Festival, Winter break (around Chinese New Year) in China

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Spring Festival (15–23 Feb)

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Spring Festival (15–23 Feb)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Nature

  Flame trees in flower

  20 May – 10 Jul · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  The phoenix trees along the ring road and through the university go scarlet for about six weeks at the start of summer. It is the one thing here worth timing over the weather.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Flame trees in flower (20 May – 10 Jul (usually))

Busy — Summer break in China, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Hazard

  Typhoon season

  1 Jul – 30 Sep · usuallyClosures

  This coast takes direct hits, not glancing ones, and the city has been shut for days by them. Ferries stop first, then flights, then everything with a shopfront. Source ↗

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Flame trees in flower (20 May – 10 Jul (usually))

Busy — Summer break in China, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Typhoon season (1 Jul – 30 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Typhoon season (1 Jul – 30 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — National Day Golden Week, National Day Golden Week in China

• Holiday

  National Day Golden Week

  1–7 OctCrowdedBook early

  The best weather of the year and the worst crowds. Gulangyu is at its cap every day of it, and the beach hotels price the week like Spring Festival. Source ↗

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Gulangyu is capped and pre-booked (1 Jan – 31 Dec)