Xiamen University (厦门大学) — China's Prettiest Seaside Campus + the Furong Tunnel & How to Book a Visit 2026

Q: Is there an entry fee for Xiamen University?

Entry is free, with no ticket, but everyone must reserve ahead. From 20 January 2026 the university switched from first-come, first-served to an 'online reservation plus random lottery' (摇号) system, because slots were being snapped up and there were problems with people booking on others' behalf. You reserve through the official WeChat mini-program called 'Visit XMU (参观厦大)', run by the official 'Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System' account. It is the only official channel. Registration opens roughly three days ahead, then the system allocates a time slot by lottery.

Q: Can foreign visitors book and enter with a passport?

Yes. When you fill in the reservation, choose 'passport (护照)' as the document type, enter your English name exactly as it appears in your passport, and your passport number. Once your booking is confirmed and your time slot arrives, the lead booker must tap in with their physical passport at the gate turnstile first; only then can companions enter. Everyone enters through the New South Gate, which has a visitor centre. The whole system is in Chinese and tied to WeChat, so if you are not comfortable with WeChat or Alipay, it helps to have a Chinese friend or a guide book for you, or to study the steps in advance.

Q: Is it really harder to get in during term-time, and what is the daily quota?

Yes. On weekdays during term, the quota is much smaller, around 2,000 people a day, concentrated in midday and afternoon slots so that teaching is disrupted as little as possible. On weekends and during the winter and summer holidays the campus opens more widely, around 8,000 a day, and on public holidays it is largest, around 15,000 a day. These figures change with the university's own announcements, so check the latest slots and quota in the reservation system before you go.

Q: What is the Furong Tunnel (芙蓉隧道), and what else is worth seeing on campus?

The Furong Tunnel is a road tunnel through the hill, about 1.1 km long, whose walls are covered in graffiti painted by the students themselves. Many pieces are skilful and full of meaning, and it is a favourite photo spot for young visitors. Other highlights are the 'Jiageng' architecture, with red Minnan tiled roofs on Western-style stone buildings; Furong Lake (芙蓉湖) with its black swans; Jiageng Lake; and the Yanwu field (演武场) right by the sea, with wide open views.

Q: How do you get to Xiamen University, and does Xiamen have a metro?

Xiamen has a metro and Line 1 is handy, but no station sits right at the campus gate. The usual way is to take Metro Line 1 to Zhenhai Road (镇海路) station near Zhongshan Road, then a short bus or taxi to the New South Gate. Alternatively, several bus routes stop near Xiamen University and Nanputuo Temple. The campus sits right beside Nanputuo Temple and Baicheng Beach, so you can easily string all three together in one day.

Get to know it

Why a university campusbecame a sight people queue to enter

Picture a university where you can walk out of a lecture and reach the sea, where black swans really do glide on a lotus lake in the middle of campus, where a road tunnel through the hill is covered wall-to-wall in students' bright paintings, and where red-tiled teaching halls line a bay. This is Xiamen University (厦门大学), which the Chinese shorten to "Xiada" — the campus the whole country tends to name as the most beautiful in China, and one of the sights visitors to Xiamen most want to get into.

It was founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee (陈嘉庚), an overseas-Chinese businessman who made his fortune in Singapore and Malaya and poured it back into building schools for his hometown. The style he commissioned is known as "Jiageng" architecture: curved red Minnan tiled roofs set on Western-style stone buildings — a look the Chinese describe as "a Chinese hat on a Western suit." It is so handsome that it has become the backdrop for the whole city's graduation photos and pre-wedding shoots.

The first thing to understand: this is still a working university, not a theme park, so the rules for visiting keep tightening. Right now it is free to enter, but everyone has to reserve a slot ahead, and from early 2026 the system also runs a lottery. We lay out how to book, the time slots and everything you need to know below — because without knowing the system, it is entirely possible to reach the gate and not be let in.

The main gate of Xiamen University (厦门大学) with gold Chinese characters carved into the stone archway — The main gate of Xiamen University — the seaside campus widely called the prettiest in China, free to enter but reservation-only

🎫

Entry

Free (no ticket)

But everyone must reserve ahead · lottery system

📱

How to book

WeChat 'Visit XMU'

参观厦大 mini-program · open ~3 days ahead

🪪

Foreigners

Passport works

Choose 'passport (护照)' as the document type

🎨

Highlights

Furong Tunnel + lotus lake

Student graffiti · black swans · red-roofed halls

🕐

Time slots

By allocated slot

Weekdays midday-afternoon · holidays all day

⏱️

Time needed

1.5–2.5 hours

Pair with Nanputuo Temple + Baicheng Beach in a day

What to see

5 best cornerson the Xiada campus

From the graffiti tunnel to the black-swan lake, the red-roofed halls and the field by the sea — know them before you go in and you won't miss the good spots.

1

The Furong Tunnel (芙蓉隧道)

graffiti tunnel ~1.1 km long

The corner many young visitors come for specifically. It is a road tunnel through the hill, about 1.1 km long, whose walls have been painted by generations of students — cartoons, quotes, farewell messages to graduating seniors, right through to serious art. Many pieces are genuinely skilful, and because they keep being painted over you see something new each time. It is one of the most famous graffiti tunnels in China.
2

Furong Lake and Jiageng Lake

black swans · mirror reflections of red roofs

In the middle of campus is a large lake called Furong Lake (芙蓉湖), where black swans really do swim. The still water mirrors the red-roofed halls and the hills behind them, and it is a beautiful scene — a favourite spot for students and visitors alike to sit, stroll the shore and take photos. Nearby is Jiageng Lake (嘉庚湖), just as calm and leafy.
3

Jiageng architecture (嘉庚建筑)

red Chinese roofs on Western buildings

The heart of Xiada's good looks is the group of buildings Tan Kah Kee designed, placing curved red Minnan tiled roofs on Western-style stone structures. The most celebrated cluster is the Qunxianlou group (群贤楼群), lined up facing the seaside field. At a glance they look more like a palace than a set of teaching halls.
4

The Yanwu field by the sea (演武场)

open sea views · sunset

The seafront side of campus is the Yanwu sports ground (演武运动场), a big field facing the water with wide open views out to the sea and Gulangyu island in the distance. The light is lovely in the late afternoon, and many people like to sit at the edge and watch the sunset. It is the "university by the sea" image that sets Xiada apart from other Chinese campuses — and from here it is a short walk out the gate to Baicheng Beach.
5

Walk straight out to Nanputuo Temple + Baicheng Beach

keep the day going next door

Xiada's location is a real bonus, because Nanputuo Temple (南普陀寺), an old Buddhist temple at the foot of Wulao Peak, sits right beside the campus, and Baicheng Beach (白城沙滩) is just on the other side of the gate — both within easy walking distance. Many people plan all three in one day: pay respects at Nanputuo, walk the Xiada campus, then finish at the sea at Baicheng.

Good to know: the university only opens its common areas — the lakes, the tunnel and the outdoor courts. The library, indoor gyms, office buildings, research buildings, student dormitories and canteens are off-limits and not open to visitors. Stick to the open routes and remember that students still live and study here.

How to book a visit

Reserving a slot at Xiadaand the new 2026 lottery system

📌 From Jan 2026: it switched to online reservation plus a lottery

This needs saying plainly before you plan — from 20 January 2026, Xiamen University dropped first-come, first-served and moved to an online reservation plus random lottery (摇号) system. The reason was that the old method was being snapped up so fast that older tourists couldn't get a slot, with scalper and agency bookings on top, so the university switched to randomly allocating time slots instead.

There is only one official booking channel: the WeChat mini-program called "Visit XMU (参观厦大)", inside the official "Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System" account. Registration opens roughly three days ahead, then the lottery assigns slots; you enter at whichever slot you draw — so don't count on booking on the spot at the gate.

🪪 What foreign visitors do

Foreigners can enter. When you fill in the booking form, choose "passport (护照)" as the document type, enter your English name exactly as it appears in your passport, and your passport number. Once it is confirmed and your time slot arrives, the lead booker must tap in with their physical passport at the gate turnstile first; only then can companions enter. Everyone goes in through the New South Gate, which has a visitor centre.

The whole system is in Chinese and built around WeChat. If you are not comfortable with WeChat or Alipay, it really helps to have a Chinese friend or a guide book it for you, or to study the steps in advance so you don't miss your slot.

📅 Daily quota — much tighter on term-time weekdays

The number allowed in per day varies with the university's own calendar. Roughly: weekdays during term, around 2,000 a day, mostly in midday and afternoon slots so teaching is disrupted as little as possible · weekends and the winter/summer holidays, around 8,000 a day · and public holidays, the most, around 15,000 a day.

So if you come on a term-time weekday, the quota is small and competition is fierce. If you can choose, weekends or the holidays are easier to book — though they are also busier underfoot. These figures and slots change all the time, so always check the latest policy and quota in the reservation system before you go.

Nanputuo Temple (南普陀寺) next to Xiamen University — a white pagoda and ornate pavilion beside a lotus pond at the foot of Wulao Peak — Nanputuo Temple (南普陀寺) sits right beside the Xiamen University gate — easy to visit on the same day (pictured: Nanputuo Temple)

🌤️ When to go and what to bring

Xiamen has good weather for most of the year. The most comfortable time to walk the campus is autumn (Sep–Nov): clear skies, not too hot. Summer (Jun–Aug) brings strong sun and the occasional typhoon, so carry an umbrella or hat and water — you walk in the open a fair bit, and there are limited shops inside the open areas.

On timing: because you book a slot ahead and quotas are limited, don't plan to just turn up and hope. Secure your slot first, then arrange the rest of your day around it. Over the long Chinese holidays (Lunar New Year, National Day 1–7 Oct, Labour Day) it is packed and quotas go fast, so if you want a relaxed walk, those are the weeks to avoid.

Getting there

How to reachXiamen University

Xiamen has a metro and Line 1 is handy, but the line has no station right at the campus gate. The usual route is to take Metro Line 1 to Zhenhai Road (镇海路) station near Zhongshan Road, then hop on a bus or grab a taxi/DiDi to the New South Gate, a few minutes away. Or skip the transfer and take one of the several bus routes that stop near Xiamen University and Nanputuo Temple, then walk about 10 minutes.

🚇

Metro Line 1

Alight at Zhenhai Road

镇海路, then a short bus/taxi to the gate

🚌

Bus

Several routes pass

Stop near Xiamen University / Nanputuo, ~10 min walk

🚕

Taxi / DiDi

Easiest option

Ask for 'XMU South Gate' (厦大南门)

Plan a half-day around here: because Xiamen University, Nanputuo Temple and Baicheng Beach are all next to each other, the smart move is to book your Xiada slot first, then slot in Nanputuo Temple (no reservation needed) and the beach before or after your campus time · Don't forget your physical passport to verify at the gate, and have WeChat/Alipay ready for payments.

Nearby

Pair Xiadawith more Xiamen sights

Around the university there's a famous temple, a coastal road and Gulangyu island waiting next.

Nanputuo Temple (南普陀寺)

An old Buddhist temple right next to the Xiada campus, at the foot of Wulao Peak, with a famous vegetarian restaurant and sea views

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Huandao Road (环岛路) & the beaches

The coastal ring road around the island — cycle for the views and stop at Baicheng and other beaches along the way

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All the best Xiamen sights

Gulangyu, Xiada, Nanputuo, Zhongshan Road and more in one guide, with a 2–3 day plan

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Frequently asked

FAQ · Xiamen University before you go

Is there an entry fee for Xiamen University?

Entry is free, with no ticket, but everyone must reserve ahead. From 20 January 2026 the university switched from first-come, first-served to an 'online reservation plus random lottery' (摇号) system, because slots were being snapped up and there were problems with people booking on others' behalf. You reserve through the official WeChat mini-program called 'Visit XMU (参观厦大)', run by the official 'Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System' account. It is the only official channel. Registration opens roughly three days ahead, then the system allocates a time slot by lottery.

Can foreign visitors book and enter with a passport?

Yes. When you fill in the reservation, choose 'passport (护照)' as the document type, enter your English name exactly as it appears in your passport, and your passport number. Once your booking is confirmed and your time slot arrives, the lead booker must tap in with their physical passport at the gate turnstile first; only then can companions enter. Everyone enters through the New South Gate, which has a visitor centre. The whole system is in Chinese and tied to WeChat, so if you are not comfortable with WeChat or Alipay, it helps to have a Chinese friend or a guide book for you, or to study the steps in advance.

Is it really harder to get in during term-time, and what is the daily quota?

Yes. On weekdays during term, the quota is much smaller, around 2,000 people a day, concentrated in midday and afternoon slots so that teaching is disrupted as little as possible. On weekends and during the winter and summer holidays the campus opens more widely, around 8,000 a day, and on public holidays it is largest, around 15,000 a day. These figures change with the university's own announcements, so check the latest slots and quota in the reservation system before you go.

What is the Furong Tunnel (芙蓉隧道), and what else is worth seeing on campus?

The Furong Tunnel is a road tunnel through the hill, about 1.1 km long, whose walls are covered in graffiti painted by the students themselves. Many pieces are skilful and full of meaning, and it is a favourite photo spot for young visitors. Other highlights are the 'Jiageng' architecture, with red Minnan tiled roofs on Western-style stone buildings; Furong Lake (芙蓉湖) with its black swans; Jiageng Lake; and the Yanwu field (演武场) right by the sea, with wide open views.

How do you get to Xiamen University, and does Xiamen have a metro?

Xiamen has a metro and Line 1 is handy, but no station sits right at the campus gate. The usual way is to take Metro Line 1 to Zhenhai Road (镇海路) station near Zhongshan Road, then a short bus or taxi to the New South Gate. Alternatively, several bus routes stop near Xiamen University and Nanputuo Temple. The campus sits right beside Nanputuo Temple and Baicheng Beach, so you can easily string all three together in one day.

The full Xiamen guide

Where to stay, what to see, what to eat and everything to know before you go

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10 Xiamen hotels worth booking

Both near Xiada/Nanputuo and out along the seafront ring road

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What to eat in Xiamen

Satay noodles, oyster omelette and gently flavoured Minnan food, none of it spicy

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