Hong Kong and Xiamen itinerary: 7-Day Contrasts

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve guided travelers through these two cities. Hong Kong’s neon jungle and Xiamen’s laid-back lanes — they seem worlds apart, yet the ferry between them is surprisingly doable. Here’s the catch: most online itineraries will kill your feet and wallet. I’m here to fix that.

I’ve been guiding foreign tourists in China for over a decade, and this Hong Kong and Xiamen itinerary is the one I keep refining. Let’s break it down day by day, with all the nitty-gritty you won’t find in generic blogs.

Why Combine Hong Kong and Xiamen?

These two cities are an odd couple – but that’s exactly why they work together. Hong Kong is intensity: skyscrapers that scrape clouds, a subway that never sleeps, and a pace that can overwhelm. Xiamen is the antidote: a small island city with beaches, colonial architecture, and a tempo that forces you to slow down. In 7 days, you get both extremes without feeling rushed. Plus, the travel time between them is under half a day.

Days 1-3: Hong Kong – The Vertical City

Day 1: Arrival & Getting Your Bearings

Land at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Pro tip: Skip the taxi – take the Airport Express to Central (24 mins, HK$115). Buy an Octopus Card at the station; you’ll use it for everything: subway, buses, convenience stores, even some taxis. Most foreign cards work at the vending machines – just tap.

3 PM – Check into your hotel. I recommend the Mong Kok area because it’s gritty, authentic, and cheap. Try Hop Inn on Portland Street – a clean, no-frills guesthouse for about HK$600/night. They speak basic English and accept Alipay.

Evening – Temple Street Night Market. Address: Temple Street, Jordan. Hours: 6 PM – midnight. Grab a bowl of wonton noodles at Traditional Wonton Noodles (HK$50). Cash only here – make sure you have small bills. The stalls sell everything from fake watches to jade trinkets. Haggle hard – offer 50% of asking price.

Day 2: Island Contrasts

9 AM – Victoria Peak. Take the Peak Tram from Central (HK$88 round trip). Important: The tram queues get insane by 11 AM – arrive before 9:30 AM. The view from Sky Terrace 428 is iconic, but honestly, the free walking trail right below the viewing deck offers equally stunning shots without the crowd. Don’t waste money on the paid observation deck.

12 PM – Sheung Wan & Man Mo Temple. Address: 126 Hollywood Road, free entry. This incense-filled temple is a calm escape from the city buzz. Around the corner, grab a coffee at Halfway Coffee – they use retro Hong Kong cups. Use Apple Maps for directions; Google Maps here is unreliable.

3 PM – Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui. One of the cheapest (HK$4) and most scenic rides in the world. Once across, walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for a breathtaking skyline view. If it’s hot (and it will be), duck into the Hong Kong Museum of Art (free entry, air-conditioned).

7 PM – Dinner at a dai pai dong. Try Sing Heung Yuen in Central for their legendary tomato noodle soup (HK$40). Cash only. Be prepared to queue for 20 minutes – it’s worth it.

Day 3: Lantau Island & Departure Prep

9 AM – Ngong Ping 360 cable car to Tian Tan Buddha. Address: Tung Chung. Round trip HK$235. The cable car ride over the sea and mountains is spectacular – sit on the right side for the best views. But here’s what many don’t tell you: the cable car can shut down in strong winds (common in summer). If that happens, take bus 23 from Tung Chung to the Buddha – it’s cheaper (HK$27) but takes 45 minutes with hairpin turns. Pack motion sickness pills.

1 PM – Back to Hong Kong Island for last-minute shopping. Head to Causeway Bay – Times Square or Sogo for electronics, cosmetics, and local snacks. Don’t buy tea here – overpriced. Wait for Xiamen.

6 PM – Evening at Victoria Harbour. The Symphony of Lights show at 8 PM is free but cheesy. Instead, book a sunset cruise on the Aqua Luna (from HK$290) – includes a drink and way fewer crowds.

Day 4: Travel Day – Hong Kong to Xiamen

Take the morning high-speed train from West Kowloon Station to Xiamen North. Travel time: about 4.5 hours. Ticket price: around CN¥350-500 (HK$400-550). Book on Trip.com (foreigner-friendly) or at the station. Don’t use the Chinese railway app – it’s Chinese-only.

Border crossing: You’ll exit Hong Kong and enter mainland China at Shenzhen. If you’re a foreigner, ensure you have a valid Chinese visa (unless you’re from a visa-exempt country like Singapore, Japan, or Brunei – check your nationality). The immigration process is smooth; just have your passport and visa ready. No need to fill arrival cards anymore – it’s digital.

Arrive around 2 PM at Xiamen North. Take Metro Line 1 to the city center (about 30 min, CN¥7). Avoid taxis – they overcharge tourists. Use Didi app (similar to Uber) with Alipay payment. If you don’t have Didi, the metro is your best friend.

Check into your hotel. I strongly recommend staying near Zhongshan Road Walking Street or Gulangyu Island itself. For a budget option, 7 Days Inn (Zhongshan Road) – CN¥250/night, clean, and central. For a splurge, Xiamen Seaside Resort on Gulangyu – CN¥800/night but worth every penny for the colonial vibe.

Evening: Stroll along Zhongshan Road. Try the street food – oyster omelet (CN¥15) and peanut soup (CN¥10). Use cash or WeChat Pay – many stalls don’t take cards. VPN warning: Make sure your VPN is working before crossing into mainland China; once you’re in, it’s harder to set up. I recommend ExpressVPN or Astrill – pre-install it in Hong Kong.

Days 5-7: Xiamen – Coastal Serenity

Day 5: Gulangyu Island – A Step Back in Time

8 AM – Ferry to Gulangyu. Depart from Zhongshan Road Pier (also called Gulangyu Ferry Terminal). Tickets: CN¥35 round trip (for daytrippers). Critical: Buy your ticket in advance via the WeChat mini-program “厦门轮渡” – which is only in Chinese. Ask your hotel staff to help you book, or use Trip.com. You’ll need your passport number. Without a pre-booked ticket, you may wait 2+ hours.

Once on the island, walk up to Sunlight Rock (CN¥50) for a panoramic view. Then explore the winding alleys – every turn reveals a colonial villa covered in bougainvillea. Don’t miss the Organ Museum (CN¥20) – one of the world‘s largest collections of player pianos. English descriptions are limited, but the music speaks for itself.

Lunch: Lin’s Fish Ball on Longtou Road – they’ve been making fish balls for 80 years. About CN¥20 for a bowl. If you’re vegetarian, try the fried spring rolls at Zhao’s – CN¥5 each.

4 PM – Return to Xiamen. The last ferry back is at 5:30 PM (summer) or 5 PM (winter). Don’t miss it – staying overnight on Gulangyu is only possible if you have a hotel booked on the island.

Evening: Head to Nanputuo Temple (free entry, open until 6 PM). It’s still at southern Xiamen, near the university. The temple complex is active – you’ll see monks chanting. Climb the hill behind for a sunset view of the city. Insider tip: Instead of the main gate, enter from the side road off Siming South Road – no crowd, and you’ll bypass the ticket check (though it’s free anyway).

Day 6: University & Art

10 AM – Xiamen University. Campus is open to the public (free, need passport). Walk through the lush campus to the beach at the south gate. The architecture is a mix of Chinese and Western styles – great photo ops. Afternoon, visit the Xiamen Art Museum (CN¥20, open 9-5). Not huge, but the rotating exhibitions are always interesting.

1 PM – Lunch at the University area. Try Wu Zai Ji for their braised pork rice (CN¥18). They have an English picture menu – point and smile.

3 PM – Huandao Road bike ride. Rent a bicycle (CN¥10 per hour) along the coastal road. The route from Xiamen University to the International Exhibition Centre is about 7 km, flat, and gorgeous. There’s a dedicated bike lane – rare in China!

Evening: Experience a traditional Tea ceremony at Yuchu Tea House on Zhongshan Road. Prices start at CN¥80 per person. The owner speaks some English and will explain the gongfu tea process. Bring cash – no card.

Day 7: Last Morning & Departure

9 AM – Jimei District. Take Bus 959 or taxi (CN¥40) to see the late Mr. Tan Kah Kee’s architectural legacy – the Jimei School Village. It’s a beautiful collection of buildings with intricate carvings. Free entry. Most tourists skip this, so you’ll have it almost to yourself.

12 PM – Final lunch. One last bowl of shacha noodles at Min Nan Lao Di Fang on Zhongshan Road. They have a combo set (CN¥35) that includes noodles, a spring roll, and a drink. Load up on their house-made chili sauce – it’s addictive.

2 PM – Head to the airport. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) is about 20 minutes from the city center. Taxi costs around CN¥40. For domestic flights, arrive 1.5 hours early; for international, 2.5 hours.

Where to Stay

Important note for hotels: Most mid-range places in Xiamen have front desk staff who understand basic English but not fluency. Download a translation app (Baidu Translate works offline). Also, confirm Wi-Fi speed at check-in – some budget hotels have weak signals. For a stable connection, bring your own pocket Wi-Fi (rent from HK airport).

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