Tourists coming to Xiamen can visit the official website (http://e.xmferry.com) of Xiamen Ferry Company and buy the ferry tickets to Gulangyu Islet in advance. Just like other 5A scenic spots throughout China, Gulangyu Islet has a quota of visitors (65,000 as announced by National Tourism Administration)! In a peak tourist season, it is usually difficult to buy a ferry ticket to Gulangyu Islet! Then how to buy one from the limited tickets? Here are some tips. If ticketing system of the ferry’h official website shows that they are running short of ferry tickets for the morning on holidays and festivals, it is advisable to go in the afternoon so as to avoid the peak hour.
Anyway, it is okay if tickets are sold out or there is no ferry within a short time. There are scenic spots here and there in Xiamen. It would be very convenient for you to take a bus to another scenic spot instead. For example, it is fun to walk or go cycling on Huandao Road.
Picture of Routes to Gulangyu Islet
I. How can tourists coming to Xiamen go to Gulangyu Islet?
Method I: Go from Xiagu Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal at Dongdu to Sanqiutian Wharf or Neicuoao Wharf on Gulangyu Islet in the daytime.
1. From Xiagu Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal at Dongdu to Neicuoao Wharf on Gulangyu Islet: 50 Yuan/person (round-trip)
2. From Xiagu Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal at Dongdu to Sanqiutian Wharf on Gulangyu Islet: 35 Yuan/person (round-trip)
Buses passing by Xiamen International Cruise Terminal:
No. 4, 26, 43, 59, 84, 107, 135, 139, 655, 841, 842, 851, 852, 853, 858, 886, 946, 954, 957, 958 and l5; Sightseeing Bus; No. L5.
New Non-stop Special Line No. 51:
Up: Start from Lundu Bus Terminal Station, pass by Lujiang Avenue, West Hubin Road and Dongdu Road, and stop at Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal.
Down: Start from Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal, pass by Dongdu Road, East Xidi Road, South Xidi Road, Xidi road and Lujiang Avenue, and stop at Lundu Bus Terminal Station.
New Non-stop Tour Bus:
1. Route: Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal - Lundu - Huli Hill Fort - Zengcuoan - Tatou (Asia Gulf Hotel) - Conference and Exhibition Center
2. Operation information: Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal: buses run every 20 minutes from 8:00 to 18:00; Conference and Exhibition Center: buses run every 20 minutes from 8:40 to 18:40; for the non-stop special line, one seat is available for each passenger. The fare is 10 Yuan per person. Passengers can only get on the bus from the starting station and can get off the bus as needed.
Method II: Go from Haicang Songgu Wharf (Songyu) to Neicuoao Wharf on Gulangyu Islet in the daytime
Fare 30 Yuan/person (round-trip)
Bus station: Songyu
Buses passing by Songyu:
No. 805, 806, 842, 850, 852, 880 (Peak), 883 (Peak) and 898 (Express bus)
Method III: Go from Hall No.2 of Lundu Wharf to Sanqiutian Wharf on Gulangyu Islet in the nighttime
Fare 35 Yuan/person (round-trip)
Buses passing by Lundu Wharf:
No. 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 19a, 19b, 23, 25, 29, 30a, 30b, 32, 97, 99, 107, 112 (Peak), 116, 118, 127, 139, 310 (Peak), 655, 656, 841, 853, 941, 946, 950, 951, 952 and l1; Airport Express Line to Lundu; Tour Bus;
New Non-stop Special Line No. 51:
Up: Start from Lundu Bus Terminal Station, pass by
Lujiang Avenue, West Hubin Road and Dongdu Road, and stop at Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal.Down: Start from Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal, pass by
Dongdu Road, East Xidi Road, South Xidi Road, Xidi road and Lujiang Avenue, and stop at Lundu Bus Terminal Station.New Nonstop Tour Bus:
1. Route: Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal - Lundu - Huli Hill Fort - Zengcuoan - Tatou (Asia Gulf Hotel) - Conference and Exhibition Center
2. Operation information: Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal: buses run every 20 minutes from 8:00 to 18:00; Conference and Exhibition Center: buses run every 20 minutes from 8:40 to 18:40; for the non-stop special line, one seat is available for each passenger. The fare is 10 Yuan per person. Passengers can only get on the bus from the starting station and can get off the bus as needed.
II. How to buy ferry tickets to Gulangyu Islet on the Internet?
Tourists can log onto Ferry Company’s official website (www.xmferry.com) or follow Ferry Company's WeChat account (xmferry) to book ferry tickets in advance! (Note: No third-party website, entity or individual has been authorized to sell the ferry tickets)
Special Page of Xiagu Ferry at Tourism Bureau
Now, ferry tickets can be booked 15 days (excluding the day you make a booking) in advance on Ferry Company’s official website, and 5 days (including the day you make a booking) in advance in WeChat ticketing system. The official WeChat account starts its service from 7:00 a.m. You can book all ferries that will depart after one hour, and you also can by tickets through the menu bar of “Buy Ferry Tickets” in the official WeChat account of Xiamen Tourism Bureau.
Official Weibo account and WeChat account of Xiamen Tourism Bureau, www.xmtravel.gov.cn, www.visitxm.com, electronic touch screen and Mobile Phone APP of Xiamen Tourism all have a link to the official ticketing website of Xiamen Ferry Company.
Make sure that your cell phone is charged if you want to smoothly buy tickets on official website and WeChat account!
Buy a Ferry Ticket on www.xmtravel.gov.cn
Buy a Ferry Ticket on www.visitxm.com
Buy a Ferry Ticket on Official WeChat Account of Xiamen Tourism Bureau
III. Other matters
1. For every ticket purchase means, the valid original certificate (photocopy will not be accepted) used to buy the ticket shall be presented while checking the ticket. Boarding is allowed only when the information of the passenger, the certificate and the ticket is consistent. Those who fail to present the valid certificates used to buy the ticket will be declined while checking the ticket. Valid certificates include second-generation ID card, passport and Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Residents.
2. The fare of a round-trip ticket from Xiagu Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal to Gulangyu Islet is 35 Yuan or 50 Yuan, and that of a round-trip ticket from Songgu Wharf to Gulangyu Islet is 30 Yuan.
3. While going to Gulangyu Islet, tourists shall arrive at the wharf in advance and get aboard strictly according to the time specified on the ticket. Tourists may take whichever ferry to leave Gulangyu Islet within 20 days. If the ticket becomes overdue, the ticket can’t be changed. Tourists may get the ticket refunded within an hour before the time of departure and then buy a new ticket. (See Rules for Carriage of Passengers by Waterway promulgated by the Ministry of Transport for regulations on ticket refunding.)
Except for the official website, self-service machines and ticket counters of Xiamen Ferry Company, other speed boats, ticket agencies or special lines to Gulangyu Islet are all illegal.
Please contact the following organizations for ticketing information!
Xiamen Ferry Company: 0592-2023518, 2054253
Wharf of Xiamen International Cruise Terminal at Dongdu: 0592-2022516
From：www.visitxiamen.com