Xiamen Botanical Garden
Xiamen Botanical Garden
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
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howardxp1
New York City, NY427 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Ok, with some Botanical Gardens, one has to walk miles to see mediocre presentations. This however has some great ones. The Cactus and Succulent area is second to none in the world! I don't say that lightly. You'll think you were in the middle of a Mexican desert! It's quite amazing. Also has a cool rainforest creation and other flower gardens. The walking is a bit much so be prepared to rest Allow a minimum of 2 - 3 hours for the Garden. One can also take a bus that traverses the Gardens, but it gets quite crowded.
A special treat is the Gondola ride that is located right by the West Gate. They charge 50rmb round trip and it's well worth it. It's a 2-person gondola and lasts about 20-25 minutes each way. You'll pass over hilltops and see 2 distinct parts of Xiamen. Very high off the ground as well and even goes over the highway in the beginning. This should be an attraction in itself! Just get a taxi to the West gate of the Botanical Gardens and you're there. You can also get off at the end and walk around the hilltop. Then hop back on for the return ride when you like.
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A special treat is the Gondola ride that is located right by the West Gate. They charge 50rmb round trip and it's well worth it. It's a 2-person gondola and lasts about 20-25 minutes each way. You'll pass over hilltops and see 2 distinct parts of Xiamen. Very high off the ground as well and even goes over the highway in the beginning. This should be an attraction in itself! Just get a taxi to the West gate of the Botanical Gardens and you're there. You can also get off at the end and walk around the hilltop. Then hop back on for the return ride when you like.
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Written May 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary M
Shanghai, China223 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
Xiamen gardens takes up a large part of the land area on the island, and is easily accessible from all of the major hotels. There are three main gates (West, East and North) and the western gate is the most accessible and is in the more touristy area of Xiamen.
The park is divided into different climactic zones, each with its own flora (the rainforest for example has lovely misters delivering moist air for the plants). The range and diversity of the flora is quite impressive
One of the nice aspects of this part is that there are still people living there, and you can see examples of them living sustainably within the park itself, particularly if you walk deeper into the park away from the main 'road' that bisects it.
The park is well signposted and it is very easy to navigate. I recommend starting at the west gate, and depending on the amount of time you have go west to east (by the perimeter walk north) or west to north (as I did which was fantastic) or through the centre.
One of the nice things too was the abundance of trails to walk on. There were many different grades of walk for novice and more fit which wound its way through the park. A real adventure if you like walking out in nature.
The park is divided into different climactic zones, each with its own flora (the rainforest for example has lovely misters delivering moist air for the plants). The range and diversity of the flora is quite impressive
One of the nice aspects of this part is that there are still people living there, and you can see examples of them living sustainably within the park itself, particularly if you walk deeper into the park away from the main 'road' that bisects it.
The park is well signposted and it is very easy to navigate. I recommend starting at the west gate, and depending on the amount of time you have go west to east (by the perimeter walk north) or west to north (as I did which was fantastic) or through the centre.
One of the nice things too was the abundance of trails to walk on. There were many different grades of walk for novice and more fit which wound its way through the park. A real adventure if you like walking out in nature.
Written January 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans Gundersen
Dallas, TX17 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
The 10,000 Rock Botanical Garden (Wànshí Zhìwùyuán 万石植物园) is one of Xiamen's top 5 sites, with beautifully landscaped trails winding amongst 20+ nurseries and over 5,300 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants, many found nowhere else on earth. The first of its kind in China, the 2.27 km2 park opened in 1960 right in downtown Xiàmén,
Koxinga stationed troops in this area, and often came here to read. So did other luminaries. Many of the gigantic granite boulders are graced with calligraphic inscriptions, and many have names--like “Laughing Rock” (Tàipíng Shíxiào太平石笑), which does appear to be laughing.
Below ground are dozens of “caves” (Chinese call any space between two rocks a cave).
Our family likes climbing the mountain from Xiamen University and entering from the back gate. Our family's favorite spots include:
Wànshí Lake (Wànshíhú 万石湖), reservoir built in 1952.
Spring & Autumn Bridge (Chūnqiú Qiáo 春秋桥) between Bamboo Path and Palm Garden.
Cactus Garden: one of the best I've seen.
Conifer Garden: over 80 species of pines, cypress and firs, including sequoia (found only in California and Central China) and gingko. Chinese say scientific records prove they've been around for about 2 billion years. Leave it to Chinese to keep records for 2 billion years.
Bamboo Path: my personal favorite. Chinese have long said, “Better no meat than no bamboo.” This giant grass well 1,000 uses, and China has over 200 of the world’s 1000 species of bamboo. In North Fújiàn you can even find a rare square bamboo! (They should feed it to pandas; then they’d be sure of getting a square meal).
Also visit the Rose Garden, Palm Garden, 1,000m2 Flower Exhibition Hall (over 1000 species of flowers), and Araucaria Lawn (Dèng Xiǎopíng planted a camphor there).
The Botanical Garden is free before 7 AM, making it perfect for daily morning exercises.
Botanical Garden Temples
Tiger Stream Temple (Hǔxī Yán Sì 虎溪岩寺 is on the west side of Drunk Immortal Mtn. (Zuìxiān Mtn. (醉仙 岩), near the Botanical Garden. It’s said a tiger lived in one of the caves, so the stone “Immortals’ Bridge” (仙人桥) is also called “Cross the Tiger Bridge” ("渡虎桥 ). The area’s known for its ancient calligraphic inscriptions on boulders (but what Chinese boulders don’t have calligraphy?).
Tiger Stream Night Moon (Hǔxī Yèyuè 虎溪夜月) Locals say that on the 15th of the Lunar month, the moon shining upon the clay Buddhist figurines and the clay tiger makes them appear to come alive, and on the evening of Mid-autumn Festival, thousands of pilgrims vie to be the first to watch the moon work its magic.
Add: Húyuán Lù, near Botanical Garden. Tel: 2021732
Tiger Stream Vegetarian Restaurant 虎溪岩寺素餐馆 Tel: 2121799
Wàn Shílián Temple (Wàn Shílián Sì万石莲寺) in the Botanical Garden, was built in the late Ming Dynasty by General Shīlàng. The gate has a pair of antithetical couplets written by the famous Master Hóngyī (弘一法师).
Border of Heaven Temple (Tiānjiè Sì 天界寺), also in the Botanical Garden, is famous for its morning bell, (Tiānjiè Xiǎozhōng天界晓钟) which is poetically described as “Dawn Bell Ringing from Heaven’s Border.” Tiānjiè is also famous for the saying story of Tiānjié Learner and the common Xiàmén saying, “No wife, no monkey” (see “Xiàmén Legends chapter).
The botanical garden’s other temples include include Crag in the Clouds Temple (Yúnzhōngyán Sì云中岩寺), Pacific Crag Temple (Tàipíngyán Sì太平岩寺), White Deer Cave Temple (Bǎilùdòng Sì 白鹿洞寺), Purple Cloud Crag Temple (Zǐyúnyán Sì 紫云岩寺), Purple Bamboo Grove Temple (Zǐzhúlín 紫竹林寺), Immortal Crag Temple, 万寿岩寺) and Sweet Dew Temple (Gānlù Sì 甘露寺). The South Fújiàn Buddhist College’s nunnery is in the Purple Bamboo Grove Temple.
Koxinga stationed troops in this area, and often came here to read. So did other luminaries. Many of the gigantic granite boulders are graced with calligraphic inscriptions, and many have names--like “Laughing Rock” (Tàipíng Shíxiào太平石笑), which does appear to be laughing.
Below ground are dozens of “caves” (Chinese call any space between two rocks a cave).
Our family likes climbing the mountain from Xiamen University and entering from the back gate. Our family's favorite spots include:
Wànshí Lake (Wànshíhú 万石湖), reservoir built in 1952.
Spring & Autumn Bridge (Chūnqiú Qiáo 春秋桥) between Bamboo Path and Palm Garden.
Cactus Garden: one of the best I've seen.
Conifer Garden: over 80 species of pines, cypress and firs, including sequoia (found only in California and Central China) and gingko. Chinese say scientific records prove they've been around for about 2 billion years. Leave it to Chinese to keep records for 2 billion years.
Bamboo Path: my personal favorite. Chinese have long said, “Better no meat than no bamboo.” This giant grass well 1,000 uses, and China has over 200 of the world’s 1000 species of bamboo. In North Fújiàn you can even find a rare square bamboo! (They should feed it to pandas; then they’d be sure of getting a square meal).
Also visit the Rose Garden, Palm Garden, 1,000m2 Flower Exhibition Hall (over 1000 species of flowers), and Araucaria Lawn (Dèng Xiǎopíng planted a camphor there).
The Botanical Garden is free before 7 AM, making it perfect for daily morning exercises.
Botanical Garden Temples
Tiger Stream Temple (Hǔxī Yán Sì 虎溪岩寺 is on the west side of Drunk Immortal Mtn. (Zuìxiān Mtn. (醉仙 岩), near the Botanical Garden. It’s said a tiger lived in one of the caves, so the stone “Immortals’ Bridge” (仙人桥) is also called “Cross the Tiger Bridge” ("渡虎桥 ). The area’s known for its ancient calligraphic inscriptions on boulders (but what Chinese boulders don’t have calligraphy?).
Tiger Stream Night Moon (Hǔxī Yèyuè 虎溪夜月) Locals say that on the 15th of the Lunar month, the moon shining upon the clay Buddhist figurines and the clay tiger makes them appear to come alive, and on the evening of Mid-autumn Festival, thousands of pilgrims vie to be the first to watch the moon work its magic.
Add: Húyuán Lù, near Botanical Garden. Tel: 2021732
Tiger Stream Vegetarian Restaurant 虎溪岩寺素餐馆 Tel: 2121799
Wàn Shílián Temple (Wàn Shílián Sì万石莲寺) in the Botanical Garden, was built in the late Ming Dynasty by General Shīlàng. The gate has a pair of antithetical couplets written by the famous Master Hóngyī (弘一法师).
Border of Heaven Temple (Tiānjiè Sì 天界寺), also in the Botanical Garden, is famous for its morning bell, (Tiānjiè Xiǎozhōng天界晓钟) which is poetically described as “Dawn Bell Ringing from Heaven’s Border.” Tiānjiè is also famous for the saying story of Tiānjié Learner and the common Xiàmén saying, “No wife, no monkey” (see “Xiàmén Legends chapter).
The botanical garden’s other temples include include Crag in the Clouds Temple (Yúnzhōngyán Sì云中岩寺), Pacific Crag Temple (Tàipíngyán Sì太平岩寺), White Deer Cave Temple (Bǎilùdòng Sì 白鹿洞寺), Purple Cloud Crag Temple (Zǐyúnyán Sì 紫云岩寺), Purple Bamboo Grove Temple (Zǐzhúlín 紫竹林寺), Immortal Crag Temple, 万寿岩寺) and Sweet Dew Temple (Gānlù Sì 甘露寺). The South Fújiàn Buddhist College’s nunnery is in the Purple Bamboo Grove Temple.
Written July 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HIPPO会飞
Paris, France270 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
It is said to be one of the must-see attractions in Xiamen. It is really big. There are too many people during holidays. The facilities are not very friendly to tourists pushing strollers (a common problem in most domestic attractions). The elevator goes to the top of the mountain, and then there is a long queue for the bus in the courtyard. The waiting area is not well ventilated, which is very uncomfortable in summer... The scenery on the top of the mountain is good. The succulent plant area and the tropical rainforest are two key areas, but when there are too many people, the experience is not so good. It is a tourist attraction that is tasteless and a pity to abandon
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
majeo
Miami, FL3,309 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
So after I went through the hasstle to get the (expensive visa) for China, and we went off the ship to explore Xiamen.
I had few things on my bucket list, but since getting around in China is very hard due to lack of English speakers, and efficient set up of methods of transportation available for tourists, I found my self spending most of the day asking for directions to the Guarden and directions to get around once inside the garden due to poor signs and posted information (even the tourism information center don't speak English), which weird because usually tourist happen to be foreigners!!
BTW, famous temple (Nanputu) is on the opposite side of the only entrance to the garden. In another words you can't enter the garden and walk straight through to the end until you reach the temple, you must go in circles and waist time.
I visited this botanical garden in spring and nothing there impressed me, if your journey takes you next to Japan I recommend leaving the gardening sightseeing for these folks.
I suggest visiting Gulangyu island instead this boring expensive garden.
Advise, write all the places you like to visit in Chinese script (specially the port).
Bring goggle with you, it's normal for locals to reach deep into their lungs to extract lump of mucous and spit it anywhere.
Just in case
Emergency number China: 100
Police: 110
Fire: 119
Ambulance: 120
Cruise Center Port Stop (邮轮中心码头)
C U around.
I had few things on my bucket list, but since getting around in China is very hard due to lack of English speakers, and efficient set up of methods of transportation available for tourists, I found my self spending most of the day asking for directions to the Guarden and directions to get around once inside the garden due to poor signs and posted information (even the tourism information center don't speak English), which weird because usually tourist happen to be foreigners!!
BTW, famous temple (Nanputu) is on the opposite side of the only entrance to the garden. In another words you can't enter the garden and walk straight through to the end until you reach the temple, you must go in circles and waist time.
I visited this botanical garden in spring and nothing there impressed me, if your journey takes you next to Japan I recommend leaving the gardening sightseeing for these folks.
I suggest visiting Gulangyu island instead this boring expensive garden.
Advise, write all the places you like to visit in Chinese script (specially the port).
Bring goggle with you, it's normal for locals to reach deep into their lungs to extract lump of mucous and spit it anywhere.
Just in case
Emergency number China: 100
Police: 110
Fire: 119
Ambulance: 120
Cruise Center Port Stop (邮轮中心码头)
C U around.
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy1112013
Shanghai28 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
The queue was massive, even though it was approaching 40C in the middle of the day. Instead, I took a walk down the 'Railway culture park' - which is basically just a path - turned right, went up a huge hill only cars are meant to go, entered a secret back entrance in which there was nobody except a family of 3 and myself, dying of sweat.
I was actually only here to waste a few hours before my flight so regrettably I couldn't actually explore the park fully I only walked around the first flower garden completely alone before turning back. But I acquired the map and understood that this was about 0.1% of the entire gardens available to me if I had the time. To be clear, I entered the NorthWest gate. The botanical garden as a whole seems to be split into three: the one I entered, the main tourist one, and the University one. Perhaps they merge, I'm not sure, but there's a bunch of mountains here and there either way.
If you're up for true exploration, Go the northwest gate method. Super peaceful and free.
I was actually only here to waste a few hours before my flight so regrettably I couldn't actually explore the park fully I only walked around the first flower garden completely alone before turning back. But I acquired the map and understood that this was about 0.1% of the entire gardens available to me if I had the time. To be clear, I entered the NorthWest gate. The botanical garden as a whole seems to be split into three: the one I entered, the main tourist one, and the University one. Perhaps they merge, I'm not sure, but there's a bunch of mountains here and there either way.
If you're up for true exploration, Go the northwest gate method. Super peaceful and free.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuiFei2017
Lyon, France18 contributions
Apr 2018
The botanical Garden should be a must during your stay in Xiamen. It is a great large garden, with numerous different parts dedicated to varous species of plants, trees and flowers. There are ponds with golden fish and three temples, mainly in the north of the garden, worth visiting.
The touristic map (in chinese, with a few indications in english) given at the entry with the ticket (40 yuans per person) is not very acurate and we got lost (as many other visitors!) trying to find another way out towards the university campus. Some signs are in english.
We were lucky to see a funeral ceremony in one of the bouddhist temple.
Most of the visitors stay near the main entry. The rest of the garden is very quiet.
The touristic map (in chinese, with a few indications in english) given at the entry with the ticket (40 yuans per person) is not very acurate and we got lost (as many other visitors!) trying to find another way out towards the university campus. Some signs are in english.
We were lucky to see a funeral ceremony in one of the bouddhist temple.
Most of the visitors stay near the main entry. The rest of the garden is very quiet.
Written April 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
banditoman
Bangkok, Thailand20 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Beautiful gardens and hiking trails. It is a quiet and peaceful place in the middle of a big city. The cactus and succulent area is amazing: Thousands of species, beautifully presented, exotic and unusual. Entrance fee is very reasonable. You can purchase a bus ticket inside the gardens to assist you in getting around for a very small fee. There are snack bars for food but nothing substantial to eat on the inside. All in all, a great day in a beautiful setting.
Written May 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stevenvg
Richmond, Australia67 contributions
May 2016 • Family
The botanical garden is not yet up to standard, compared to other international gardens, but it is for sure a nice park for hiking. Some of which are rather extreme for unexperienced hikers. Nonetheless, many of the beaten track type walks that can be done; if not Chinese, one would need some good sense of direction, but often nice views and hideaways. If not best in walking, the garden also offers golf-buggy support... the hike are not the easiest, and often slippery when rain has passed...
Written May 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin B
Shanghai, China42 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
We tend to think of botanical gardens as manicured parks, with large steamy greenhouses, elaborate rockeries and shrubberies and omnipresent "keep off the grass" signs. Not this one!
Located almost downtown Xiamen, it extends over almost 5 square kilometers. Yes, there are collections of bamboos, cacti, palm trees and medicinal herbs; there are flower exhibits, lakes, ponds and babbling brooks with photogenic bridges, even an authentic Buddhist temple, but for the most, this garden is pretty wild hill country, strewn with huge boulders and criss-crossed by small (but well maintained) paths. Visiting here is more like hiking than a leisurely afternoon stroll. That this botanical garden's mission is as much recreational area as scientific endeavour may be seen by the fact that it opens at 05:30 and entrance is free before 07:00!
Located almost downtown Xiamen, it extends over almost 5 square kilometers. Yes, there are collections of bamboos, cacti, palm trees and medicinal herbs; there are flower exhibits, lakes, ponds and babbling brooks with photogenic bridges, even an authentic Buddhist temple, but for the most, this garden is pretty wild hill country, strewn with huge boulders and criss-crossed by small (but well maintained) paths. Visiting here is more like hiking than a leisurely afternoon stroll. That this botanical garden's mission is as much recreational area as scientific endeavour may be seen by the fact that it opens at 05:30 and entrance is free before 07:00!
Written April 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Xiamen Botanical Garden the same as the Xiamen horticultural expo center? If they are different which one is better?
Written January 16, 2020
I don’t know what the horticultural center is, sorry. Never saw it in town.
Written January 16, 2020
We are visiting end of July/early August. What kind of flowers can we expect to see? Will it be a whole sea of flowers?
Than you.
Written February 12, 2019
When I visited in November there were several varieties of flowers in bloom. From the plantings I would expect to see multitudes of flowers; whether or not it will be a sea - you'll have to let us all know! I believe the temps will be hot at that time of year.
Written February 12, 2019
How long is the taxi ride from the airport?
Written September 26, 2018
About 40 minutes from the sea PORT
This attraction is really not worth the money and effort
I would choose that Island trip instead.
Written September 28, 2018
justine n
Brisbane, Australia
How do I get here from my cruiseship port in Xiamen?
Written August 15, 2015
If you really want to take a bus, walk South on dondu road (东渡路) for 10 minutes until shangjian bus stop (商检). If you're unsure, you can ask the staff at the terminal how to wall there, just show them the characters. Take bus #22 (1 or 2 yuan) about 12 stops to shada baicheng (厦大白城). Walk a block in the same direction the bus was going, then turn left on haibin road (海滨中路). Since the bus stops on a highway, be careful crossing the street. Go right on the first road you come across, haibin road (海滨路), then the first left, lingyun road (凌云路). At the end of that road, turn right, then take the first left and walk down for a while until you reach the gate. This is the southwest gate of the park.
I know this sounds rather complicated, so like Missy Sydney suggested, you can just take a taxi there. Show him the name in Chinese as almost no taxi drivers in Xiamen speak or read English. 厦门园林植物园. He may ask which gate, "shenme men?", to which you can say ximen (she muhn, 西门，West gate), or you can go to east gate which is called dongmen (东门).
Enjoy! And bring plenty of water before you go in; drink vendors are scarce there. If you're continuing on your cruise, also show the taxi driver the Chinese name for that terminal, 东渡码头, otherwise show the Chinese characters of wherever you're going next.
Written August 16, 2015
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