Weather: The rainy season starts in May and lasts until August. In May, total rainfall averages 158 millimeters (6 inches), and the month sees about 16 rainy days. The average temperature is 24 °C (74 °F), with an average minimum temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) and an average maximum temperature of 27 °C (80 °F).
May marks the beginning of summer. The temperature and rainfall increases continually. Rainfall variations in May are the largest of the year, and the typhoon season begins during this month. See the current weather and forecast>>
Clothing: Summer clothes are appropriate from May, but also take a jacket or cardigan for morning and evening. As rainfall is frequent, bring an umbrella.
Things to Do
Shuzhuang Garden, Gulangyu IslandSee the municipal parks: Blooming flowers and green trees can be seen everywhere in May. The best places to enjoy flowers are Lianhua Park, Binglang Road, Hubin Bei Road, Xiamen University, and Zhongshan Park.
Take a walk in Gulangyu Island: Another place to see gardens is this island that is only five minutes away by ferry. You can also enjoy the sea scenery. The small island is noted for restaurants, tea and coffee parlors, and the old colonial architecture that date from before WWII when the island was a foreign settlement. It is a pedestrian tourist area where you can shop for souvenirs.
Mount Wuyi Park: You can visit the highlights by vehicle or enjoy hiking and backpacking. There are numerous high stairways for some good stair-climbing exercise. If you are not in shape for this, you could tour by car or take a river rafting trip.
Nine-Bend Stream, Wuyi MountainsNine-Bend Stream is exceptionally scenic. Red sandstone formations stand out against the skyline, and they are hundreds of meters high. The area is also a noted wildlife sanctuary.
Visit Hong Kong: It is only four hours away by bullet train, and now you can go on quick shopping or sightseeing excursions for a day or two. The new trains began operation in late 2013, and they are cheap and comfortable. Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Xiamen are now linked, and travel between these prime tourist and business areas is much more convenient and economical. A first class ticket costs only 33 USD or less! It is about 5 times cheaper than a flight.
High Travel Month
May is one of the busiest periods to travel in China. International Labor Day (May 1 to 3) is one of China's main vacation periods. Since May is during the peak travel season, hotel rates are often higher than usual during this month, and tourist attractions are crowded. By our experience, we can help you book a room you'll enjoy, perhaps at a discount, and get flight and train tickets. Why wait in line to get tickets during this busy travel season?
Popular Tours to Xiamen
XiamenIf you are planning a Xiamen tour, please see our recommended tours below for inspirations:
- 5-Day Xiamen, Tulou and Wuyi Mountain Tour - Cultural and Scenic Tour
- 4-Day Garden City, Gulangyu Island and Tulou Combination - Garden City and Tulou Combination
Not interested in the above tours? Just tell us your interests and requirements, China Highlights will tailor-make you a perfect Xiamen tour.
Take advantage of the newly-opened bullet trains between Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Xiamen. You can travel between Hong Kong and Xiamen in only four hours at 200 kilometers per hour, and it is worth doing just for the novelty; and it is about 5 times cheaper than a flight. You can modify as per your interests to include Hong Kong, Macau, and Shenzhen too.