Siming Downtown, Xiamen
The old-town heart on Zhongshan Road — arcade shopping, sea views and the convenient central base

To be honest, Siming is a living, breathing old-town heart. The arcade buildings are old, the covered walkways let you shop even in strong sun, the small lanes are packed with local eateries, and the far end of Zhongshan Road opens onto the sea with Gulangyu right in front of you. This is where Xiamen locals shop and eat, and where visitors come to soak up the feel of an old port town that blends Chinese and Southeast Asian influences. In the evening, when the lights and lanterns come on, the whole street looks like a film set.

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  First-timers who want it easy and good value

  First-timers · Easy navigation · Central base

  For a first trip, Siming is easy to walk and hard to get lost in. The main sights sit close together, the Gulangyu ferry is within walking distance, and Metro Line 1 reaches Xiamen University, Nanputuo Temple and the other districts. Want to compare areas before you book? Read where to stay in Xiamen for a first trip and the Xiamen first-timer guide.

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  Foodies and street-food lovers

  Foodies · Bashi market · Minnan snacks

  Siming is heaven for eaters. Bashi market (八市) is close, with fresh seafood and excellent local eateries around it — oyster omelette, sha-cha noodles, oyster rice and Hokkien spring rolls — and you can graze your way through a whole day. See what to try in Xiamen street food and the Minnan (闽南) snacks to try.

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  No-car travellers who want to walk and ride the metro

  No-car travellers · Walkable · Metro Line 1

  No need to rent a car or rely on taxis. The sights within the area are all walkable, and for points further out you take Metro Line 1 from Zhenhai Road station. Pay by scanning Alipay or WeChat — fares are just ¥2-7 (~฿10-35). Read how to get around the whole city in getting around Xiamen.

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  Travellers using Xiamen as a base for Gulangyu

  Gulangyu day-trips · Ferry base · Sea views

  If you want to visit Gulangyu as a day trip without dragging luggage onto the island, staying in Siming is the best base. The tourist ferry at the Cruise Terminal is close, so you can cross over early, walk the island, and come back to the mainland side, which is easier for eating and getting around. Read the full Gulangyu Island guide.

The upside of staying in Siming is that you get a central old-town location within walking distance of everything. Eat seafood at Bashi market in the morning, shop Zhongshan Road and photograph the arcades by day, cross over to Gulangyu in the afternoon, and stroll the lit-up street in the evening — and Metro Line 1 at Zhenhai Road station takes you to Xiamen University, Nanputuo Temple or the airport. For first-timers, foodies and no-car travellers, this is the most convenient and best-value area.

One thing to know: Siming is a lively old town, and Zhongshan Road gets busy in the evening. If you're a light sleeper, choose a hotel set back from the pedestrian street or a higher floor — you'll keep the great location but get more quiet. And if you're still weighing up the mainland side, the island or a beach area, read where to stay in Xiamen for a first trip before you decide.