Where to buy ferry tickets for your first trip to Gulangyu which pier to depart from and how to return to the city center? Here is a super detailed ferry guide for your reference.

Recommended visiting time: Board the island around 9:00 AM and return to the city center at 19:30 (after dinner).

How to Purchase a Boat Ticket

1. Search for the mini-program "Yu Jian Xiamen" on WeChat or Alipay, or search for the official account "Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd." Follow the instructions provided to fill in your information, select the nearest pier, and purchase a ticket for a suitable time. Tickets can be purchased up to 10 days in advance. There is a daily limit on the number of people allowed to board the island, so it is recommended to buy tickets early during peak travel seasons to avoid disruptions to your itinerary. Each person is limited to purchasing 5 tickets, and each ticket requires real-name registration. The ID used for purchasing must match the ID carried, for example, a ticket purchased with a passport cannot be used with an ID card.

2. Purchase tickets on-site by bringing your second-generation ID card or relevant documents to the corresponding pier and queuing to buy tickets. (Tickets may occasionally not be sold during holidays, and during peak seasons and weekends, you may encounter long queues and may not be able to purchase tickets for your desired time or route. It is not recommended to buy tickets on-site at the last minute.)

3. Purchase tickets on the official website of Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd. at http://www.xmferry.com. If you have any doubts, you can check the website for more information.

· When purchasing tickets using a second-generation ID card, there is no need to exchange tickets on-site; simply swipe the ID card to enter the station. If using other valid documents (temporary ID card, social security card, driver's license, passport, etc.), you must exchange for a boat ticket at the ticket office before entering.

· All ticket prices include the return boat ticket, so no additional purchase is needed for the return trip; simply board the return boat at the port. If purchasing a group boat ticket, you must enter and exit as a group.

· Tickets can be changed or refunded before the boat departs, with a certain handling fee charged (approximately 10% of the ticket price).

How to Get to the Island

To reach Gulangyu Island, there are four main piers available: the Dongdu Passenger Terminal (the primary terminal for tourists) on Xiamen Island, the First Pier, the Xiamen Ferry Terminal, and the Songyu Passenger Terminal in Haicang District.

The Xiamen Ferry Terminal is exclusively reserved for local residents during the day and only opens for tourist routes at night. Passengers need to go to Hall 2 of the ferry terminal to board the ship at night.

There are a total of three piers departing from Xiamen.

Here are the recommended options for first-time visitors:

1. If arriving on the island before 17:00, choose the Dongdu Passenger Terminal, with operating hours from 7:10 to 17:30 (extended to 18:30 from June to September).

2. If arriving on the island after 17:00, choose the Xiamen Ferry Terminal, which operates 24 hours a day (daytime access is reserved for local residents only).

3. If staying near Haicang, choose the Songyu Passenger Terminal, with operating hours from 7:30 to 17:50 (extended to 19:00 in summer).

There are three piers to reach Gulangyu Island.

1. Sanqiutian Pier (Close to traditional scenic areas, suitable for most visitors to the island)
2. Neicuo’ao Pier (Close to the community, ideal for visitors who love exploring pristine landscapes)
3. Piano Pier (Not accessible to visitors at any time; all returning visitors to Xiamen are limited to using Sanqiutian and Neicuo’ao Piers)

The preferred route is from the Xiamen International Cruise Center (Xiamen-Gulangyu Pier) to Sanqiutian Pier. This route is short, and upon arriving at Gulangyu, it is very close to the commercial streets and attractions. You can essentially start your day's itinerary from this pier, making it the best pier for boarding the island.

Starting from October 25, 2024, the Sanqiutian Pier on Gulangyu Island will undergo renovation and expansion, with the construction period lasting approximately two months. Relevant ferry routes will be suspended during this time. Tourists can still arrive via the Piano Pier.

How to Return

1. Sanqiutian Pier - Cruise Center Xiamen-Gulangyu Pier: Operating hours 7:20-17:40 (Winter) 7:20-18:40 (Summer)
2. Sanqiutian Pier - Xiamen Ferry Pier: Operating hours 18:00-7:00 the next day (Winter) 19:00-7:00 the next day (Summer)
3. Neicuo'ao Pier - Cruise Center Xiamen-Gulangyu Pier: Operating hours 7:20-17:40 (Winter) 7:20-18:40 (Summer)
4. Neicuo'ao Pier - Haicang Songgu Pier: Operating hours 7:20-17:20 (Winter) 7:20-18:20 (Summer)

*1. Summer time is from June 1st to September 30th, and the rest of the year is winter;

2. You can choose any pier for the return trip without needing to book a time; you can return as soon as a boat docks;
3. Depart the island within 20 days after purchasing the ferry ticket;
4. It is recommended that tourists returning in the evening disembark at Xiamen Ferry Pier, where they can visit and dine at nearby Zhongshan Road;
5. Gulangyu Pier may temporarily close due to weather conditions such as typhoons. It is advised to confirm the status on the official WeChat account of Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd. before your trip.*