I will be transiting Xiamen in a week's time, with about 8 hours before my onward flight to Hong Kong. I believe that the place is one of the nicer Chinese cities and worth a visit. Is a short visit feasible in that time frame? Might be nice to just have a walk around and see any highlights, if it's not too logistically difficult.

The biggest issue will be, what sort of money should one take? In hoping to spend as little as possible while there, I thought to take a floater of US dollars with me. Has any Flyertalker made a visit to Xiamen, either on business or as a tourist?

Gulangyu, the small island with a colonial atmosphere, is the main sight, but I gather that in recent years it's become something of a hassle to reach it because they've gummed up the ferry system for visitors. You'll have to research the details.

As to money, do not sweat it. Take a few hundred RMB from an ATM -- maybe you'll have a nice meal and a taxi ride -- then exchange the excess when you reach Hong Kong. Money changers in Hong Kong offer very low spreads on RMB/HKD exchange, so the cost of getting more RMB than you need will be minimal.

Only Chinese currency works there. This is China.

I would definitely get out and see a bit of the Island, the airport has little in the way of diversions with really bad food, beverage and shopping options.

I wasn't overly impressed with Xiamen though being there during a crowded spring festival didnt help.

Presuming an hour either side of arrival and an hour each way from the airport to downtown, that leaves you with 4 hours. I would personally head to the lake area around the Marco Polo Hotel for a wander around and a bit of food.

Gulangyu may be tolerable out of the holidays, but I honestly don't think it's worth seeing.

Possibly hit the beaches around the university but they are far from anything spectacular.

Zhongshan road is a big shopping area, but it's full of tat.

US dollars are accepted here in as many outlets that accept RMB in the US! Withdraw at ATM on arrival.

Taxi downtown from the airport is about 50rmb. There is a shuttle bus that prob runs 10-20rmb. Local buses 2rmb but you need small notes.

The lakeside area is quite expatty so food and drinks are at western prices. 100-150rmb for lunch and some drinks. There are of course the ubiquitous McDonalds, KFCs and local noodle shops if you are on a budget.

The island is the best place to go, but if you have 8 hours minus time to get there, get back etc, and you need to take a boat, might be stressfull. Depends the weather too, tends to be hot in summer. But Xiamen in general is a great place to stay a few days with the Portugese Island and if you go again, nearby to the Tuluo; they are round houses nearby Xiamen but that's a 2 day trip but worth it. For some photos and info: http://www.christravelblog.com/china...30-china-tour/

Gulangyu is quite nice to see some European colonial architecture and also a view of the skyline. You can see the full set on my website : http://www.globalphotos.org/xiamen.htm

Thanks, some really good suggestions here. There will be an ATM at the airport presumably...

I downloaded the Lonely Planet chapter 'F�ji�n' from the China guidebook, which has a good write-up on Xiamen.

Didn't manage to visit Xiamen this time round, an agent was waiting for me when I came off the KLM flight and offered to rebook me on an earlier flight to HKG, thus cutting out the 8 hour wait. I gratefully accepted because I was so tired and I think it would be better to visit Xiamen under better circumstances and for longer.

+1 for KLM