China · Asia
Xiamen, China: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 4.6MCurrency: CNYTime zone: Asia/Shanghai
US travel advisory
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Best months to visit
Jan, Apr, Nov and Dec
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in Fujian province, China, with a population of about 4.6 million people. It is not the country's capital. Prices are quoted in Chinese yuan (CNY), and travelers can expect a budget day near $45, a mid-range day near $110, and a luxury day near $235, based on local cost estimates. Over a full week those tiers add up to about $315, $770, and $1,645. Xiamen sees its best weather and highest visit scores in January, April, November, and December, when sunshine runs from about 7.7 to 8.8 hours a day and rainfall stays comparatively low, especially in November and December. Summer months bring heavy rain and high heat, which is why June through August is the cheapest and quietest stretch of the year. The US State Department currently rates China at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, a country-level rating that does not single out Xiamen specifically. UK travel guidance covers broader risks across China, including scams and national security law, without flagging dangers unique to this city. Travelers should weigh the country-level guidance rather than expect city-specific warnings.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
19°
24mm
Feb
19°
51mm
Mar
22°
99mm
Apr
25°
148mm
May
28°
153mm
Jun
31°
188mm
Jul
34°
272mm
Aug
32°
210mm
Sep
32°
232mm
Oct
31°
52mm
Nov
26°
29mm
Dec
22°
15mm
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a week in Xiamen cost?
A week works out to about $315 on a budget plan, $770 mid-range, or $1,645 for a luxury trip, based on the daily cost estimates for one person. These figures cover typical daily spending and scale up directly from the $45, $110, and $235 per-day tiers.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen?
January, April, November, and December post the strongest combination of sunshine and manageable rainfall, with November standing out for low rain (29mm) and good sunshine (8.5 hours a day). These months also count as the peak season, so they draw more visitors.
Is Xiamen safe to visit?
The US State Department places China at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and this is a country-level rating rather than one specific to Xiamen. UK guidance notes that serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, though scams, petty crime, and legal risks tied to national security laws apply nationwide.
Can I visit Xiamen on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget estimate of $45 a day covers basic lodging, cheap meals, and local transport, and the off-season months of June, July, and August tend to be the cheapest and quietest time to travel. A full week at this tier comes to about $315.
What is the cheapest time of year to visit?
June, July, and August are listed as the off-season, coinciding with the lowest visitor interest and presumably lower demand for lodging and services. These months also bring the heaviest rain and highest heat, so lower cost comes with tougher weather.
What about food and getting around the city?
Daily cost estimates already factor in meals and local transport, from the $45 budget tier up to the $235 luxury tier. Exact spending on food and transit will depend on personal choices, but these tiers give a general sense of what a full day, including movement around the city, typically costs.
Keep reading
More on Xiamen
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.