Current Time in Xiamen
About Xiamen
Xiamen is located in China, in the Northern Hemisphere, and is a major city with a population of around 4,617,251. It runs on Asia/Shanghai time, currently UTC+8:00 relative to UTC. Xiamen does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so this offset stays fixed year-round.
- CountryChina
- Population4,617,251
- Latitude24.4798°
- Longitude118.0819°
- Time zoneAsia/Shanghai
- Current UTC offsetUTC+8:00
- Daylight Saving TimeNot observed
Sunrise & Sunset in Xiamen Today
For Sunday, October 11, 2026, calculated from Xiamen's own coordinates.
Sunrise
Sunset
Daylight
Seasons in Xiamen
Approximate dates — the exact moment a season begins shifts by about a day from year to year.
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Top Places to Visit in Xiamen
Gulangyu Island
Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just offshore from central Xiamen, served as an international settlement from 1903 to 1942, and its car-free streets remain lined with more than a thousand buildings in a striking mix of Chinese, European and colonial architectural styles built by the foreign consulates and merchants who once lived there. Sunlight Rock, the island's highest point at just over 92 meters, offers panoramic views back across the strait to Xiamen, while Shuzhuang Garden and the island's famous Piano Museum, housing more than a hundred antique pianos, reflect Gulangyu's long-standing nickname as the Piano Island, tied to its historical concentration of Western-educated, musically inclined residents. With cars and bicycles banned throughout, the island is explored entirely on foot, its winding lanes best suited to a slow, unhurried wander rather than a rushed itinerary. It draws heavy crowds, particularly on weekends and Chinese holidays, so an early ferry crossing is worth it both for lighter foot traffic and cooler morning temperatures.
From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 toward the city center, then a short taxi or walk to the ferry terminal for the crossing to Gulangyu, roughly 5-10 minutes by boat.
From Xiamen Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 toward the ferry terminal area, then the short ferry crossing to Gulangyu.
From Xiamen's long-distance bus stations, take the metro toward the ferry terminal, then the short ferry crossing to Gulangyu.
Nanputuo Temple (South Putuo Temple)
Nanputuo Temple, founded during the Tang dynasty and rebuilt several times over the following twelve centuries, is one of China's most significant Buddhist temples and remains an active site of worship and monastic study rather than a purely historical monument. Its halls climb progressively up the slope of Wulao Peak (Mountain of Five Old Men), each level dedicated to different Buddhist figures, with the topmost sections offering views back across the temple grounds and toward the sea. The temple's name references its dedication to Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, and its association with the more famous Putuoshan pilgrimage site further north, positioning Xiamen's temple as a southern counterpart within the same devotional tradition. A vegetarian restaurant within the temple complex, run according to Buddhist dietary principles, is well regarded locally and offers a way to extend a visit beyond just viewing the halls and grounds.
From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a connecting interchange, transfer toward the Xiamen University/South Putuo area.
From Xiamen Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 toward a connecting interchange and continue toward the South Putuo Temple area, a relatively short ride.
From Xiamen's long-distance bus stations, take the metro toward a connecting interchange and continue toward South Putuo Temple.
Xiamen University
Xiamen University, founded in 1921 by overseas Chinese philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, was the first university in modern Chinese history established by an overseas Chinese benefactor, and its main campus is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Buildings in the distinctive Tan Kah Kee style, blending traditional Chinese roof forms with Western structural elements, sit among Lotus Lake and mature gardens across a campus that borders the sea and the base of Wulao Peak. Because it remains a working university, visitor access has at times required advance online registration, particularly during peak travel seasons, given the volume of tourists drawn to see the campus rather than students alone. Its proximity to Nanputuo Temple and the harbor means it's easily combined with those sights on the same walking route, and the flowering phoenix trees that bloom red across campus each June are a particular seasonal highlight.
From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a connecting interchange, transfer toward the university's nearest station.
From Xiamen Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 toward a connecting interchange and continue toward Xiamen University.
From Xiamen's long-distance bus stations, take the metro toward a connecting interchange and continue toward Xiamen University.
Hulishan Fortress
Hulishan Fortress, built in 1891 during the late Qing dynasty, was constructed to defend Xiamen's harbor and blends Chinese Ming-and-Qing-style fortification design with imported German engineering and armaments, reflecting the mixed foreign and domestic military influences shaping coastal China's defenses in this period. Its most notable feature is a massive Krupp-manufactured coastal defense cannon, one of the largest of its kind still in existence, alongside a considerably smaller ceremonial cannon, giving the fort an unusual claim to housing both the largest and smallest cannons of their respective types. Exhibits within the fortress grounds cover the history of coastal defense in this part of China, along with the fort's role during various conflicts through the 20th century. Its position along Xiamen's Island Ring Road places it within easy reach of Xiamen University's Baicheng Beach, making it a natural stop for visitors cycling or driving the scenic coastal route.
From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a connecting interchange, transfer toward the Island Ring Road area near the fortress.
From Xiamen Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 toward a connecting interchange and continue toward Hulishan Fortress.
From Xiamen's long-distance bus stations, take the metro toward a connecting interchange and continue toward Hulishan Fortress.
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street
Zhongshan Road, Xiamen's main pedestrian shopping street, is lined with distinctive qilou-style buildings, arcaded shopfronts with covered walkways beneath upper-floor residences, a colonial-era architectural style common across parts of southern China and Southeast Asia. Running from the city center down toward the ferry terminal for Gulangyu, the street mixes local retail, international brands and food stalls, making it a natural transition point between shopping and the island crossing. Bashi Market, just off the main pedestrian street, is Xiamen's most famous traditional wet market, drawing visitors as much for its dense concentration of fresh seafood and local snack stalls as for grocery shopping, and offers a considerably more local, less polished experience than the main pedestrian street itself. The street is especially lively in the evening, when its arcades fill with shoppers and diners taking advantage of the cooler temperatures after Xiamen's often intense daytime heat.
From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, take Metro Line 2 to a connecting interchange, transfer toward Line 1, and ride toward Zhongshan Road station.
From Xiamen Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 toward Zhongshan Road station.
From Xiamen's long-distance bus stations, take the metro toward Line 1 and ride toward Zhongshan Road station.
China National Holidays
2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Tue, Feb 17 |
| Qingming Festival | Sat, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Fri, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Fri, Jun 19 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Fri, Sep 25 |
| National Day | Thu, Oct 1 |
2027
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Sat, Feb 6 |
| Qingming Festival | Sun, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Sat, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Wed, Jun 9 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Wed, Sep 15 |
| National Day | Fri, Oct 1 |
2028
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Sat, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Wed, Jan 26 |
| Qingming Festival | Tue, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Mon, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Sun, May 28 |
| National Day | Sun, Oct 1 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Tue, Oct 3 |
2029
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Mon, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Tue, Feb 13 |
| Qingming Festival | Wed, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Tue, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Sat, Jun 16 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Sat, Sep 22 |
| National Day | Mon, Oct 1 |
2030
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Tue, Jan 1 |
| Spring Festival | Sun, Feb 3 |
| Qingming Festival | Thu, Apr 4 |
| Labour Day | Wed, May 1 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | Wed, Jun 5 |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Thu, Sep 12 |
| National Day | Tue, Oct 1 |
Daylight Saving Time
Xiamen does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The UTC offset stays fixed at UTC+8:00 year-round.
Time Difference from Top 10 US Cities
Time Difference from Top 10 Cities Worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Xiamen
What time zone is Xiamen in?
Xiamen, China uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone. It is currently on CST (UTC+8:00). The live local time is shown at the top of this page.
Does Xiamen observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Xiamen does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so it stays on UTC+8:00 all year round and never changes its clocks.
What time is sunrise and sunset in Xiamen today?
The sun rises at 6:03 AM and sets at 5:46 PM in Xiamen today, giving 11h 43m of daylight.
What is the time difference between Xiamen and New York City?
New York City is 12 hours behind Xiamen right now. The full comparison against other major cities is in the tables above.
What is the UTC offset for Xiamen?
Xiamen is currently UTC+8:00. This offset is fixed and does not change during the year.