Qiang Huang
Quick Navigation
“Wait, there’s a cable car inside the botanical garden?” That’s what I hear from almost every first-time visitor. Yes, it exists — but it’s not inside the garden proper. The Xiamen Botanical Garden cable car (locals call it Zhonggu Cable Car) runs along the western edge of the garden, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the lush valley below. I’ve taken this ride at least a dozen times with clients, and here’s my straight-up advice: it’s worth it, but only if you know how to do it right.
Most tourists either queue for an hour in the sun or miss the entrance entirely. I’ll show you how to avoid both.
Why This Cable Car Is Unique
First, it’s not a typical theme park cable car. This one is old-school — single-seat, open-air (no glass), and it glides slowly over the treetops of Xiamen’s botanical garden. You’ll see the entire city skyline, the sea, and even Gulangyu Island on a clear day. The ride takes about 40 minutes round trip, and the best part? It’s cheap.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route length | 1 km one way (round trip ~40 min) |
| Type | Open-air, 2-person chairlift |
| Views | Botanical garden, Xiamen skyline, sea, Gulangyu |
| Price (adult) | 70 RMB one way / 100 RMB round trip |
| Price (child 1.2–1.4m) | 35 RMB one way / 50 RMB round trip |
| Payment | Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash (exact change) |
⚠️ Heads-up: international credit cards are NOT accepted anywhere here. Load up your Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go. If you’re stuck, bring 100 RMB in small bills.
How to Buy Tickets (Without the Headache)
You cannot buy tickets online easily — the official mini-program is in Chinese only, and it’s a pain to navigate even for me. Here’s what I tell my clients:
- Go directly to the ticket counter at the cable car entrance. It’s located at the southwest gate of the botanical garden (not the main gate!). Use this address for your taxi or Didi:
Address: No. 25, Huyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen (near the Botanical Garden West Gate)
Show the driver: “请到钟鼓索道售票处，植物园西门附近” - Bring your passport. They’ll scan it when you buy the ticket. No passport = no ride.
- No advance reservation needed (as of my last visit), but weekends can get busy. Arrive before 9:30 AM to avoid the worst queues.
💡 Pro tip: If the line is more than 30 people, skip the round trip and buy a one-way ticket to the top station. The line for one-way is usually shorter, and you can walk down through the botanical garden for free.
Best Time to Ride – I Learned the Hard Way
My first time? I showed up at 2 PM in July. Big mistake. The queue was 75 minutes, the sun was brutal, and the metal seats were scorching hot. Now I swear by these windows:
- Early morning (8:30–10:00 AM): Cool air, mist over the garden, and hardly any queue. The light is soft for photos.
- Late afternoon (4:00–5:00 PM): Golden hour light, but be aware — the ride closes at 5:30 PM. If you go at 4, you’ll catch the sunset from the top, but you might miss the last return car. Buy a one-way and walk down.
- Avoid 11 AM–3 PM: Peak heat, harsh shadows, and long queues. I’ve seen tourists literally give up and leave.
🔥 Another thing: check air quality before you go. If it’s hazy, views will be disappointing. Use an app like AirVisual or just look at the sky in the morning.
Step-by-Step: From Queue to Summit
- Get to the southwest entrance (Zhonggu Cable Car station). It’s about a 15-minute walk from Xiamen University’s main gate, or a 10 RMB Didi ride from Zhongshan Road.
- Queue up. Have your passport and payment ready. The ticket counter moves fast but still expect 5–15 minutes.
- Ride up. You and one other person (or alone) sit in an open chair. No seatbelts — hold your hat! The ride is gentle but can sway a bit in wind.
- At the top station, you can either:
— Get off and explore the small platform (a few souvenir shops, no real viewpoint), then re-queue for the return.
— Stay on the chair and go straight back down (if you bought round trip).
— Walk down through the botanical garden (if you bought one-way).
🚶 I always recommend the walk-down option. The garden itself is beautiful with a huge cactus collection, a waterfall, and peaceful paths. The descent takes about 30–45 minutes and saves you the return queue.
Where Does It Drop You? Plus Nearby Sights
The top station is basically a small clearing with a few benches. Not much to do up there. But once you walk down through the garden, you’ll hit these highlights:
| Spot | Distance from cable car top station | Why visit |
|---|---|---|
| Cactus & Succulent Garden | 15 min walk downhill | Massive cacti, great photos, indoor area for shade |
| Palm Garden | 20 min walk | Tropical vibe, nice picnic spot |
| Dripping Rock Waterfall | 25 min walk | Mini waterfall, good for cooling off |
| Main Garden Entrance (West Gate) | 40 min walk / 10 min shuttle | Exit to the city, taxis available |
📱 Navigation note: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Use Apple Maps or Baidu Maps. To avoid confusion, I tell my clients to screenshot the Chinese name of the cable car station: “钟鼓索道”. Then show it to any taxi driver.
FAQs About the Xiamen Botanical Garden Cable Car
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
No comments yet.