Baicheng Beach

If you are heading to Xiamen for the first time, Baicheng Beach sounds simple. Just a beach next to Xiamen University. But on the ground, it is more like a long seaside hangout spot with a great sunset, a lot of people, and a few small gotchas.

It is still worth it. You just want to show up with the right expectations.

Where Baicheng Beach is, and why people end up here

Baicheng Beach (白城沙滩) sits on the southwest side of Xiamen Island, right by Xiamen Universitys Baicheng area, between Yanwu Bridge and Hulishan Fortress.

That location is the whole point. Even if you did not plan a beach day, you can easily end up here after Nanputuo Temple, a walk around the university area, or just because you are already on Huandao Road (the coastal road).

The honest vibe: not a paradise beach, but a great evening stop

This is not the kind of beach where you go for clear water and perfect sand. Some areas have coarser sand, and it can feel a bit messy in spots, especially after busy days. You will also see plenty of vendors, and some of them can be pretty persistent.

What you do get is a very Xiamen feeling. A wide open view, warm sea air, students and locals hanging out, and a sunset that can be genuinely beautiful when the weather cooperates.

If you want a relaxed, low effort seaside moment, Baicheng Beach is great.

When to go, and when I would skip it

Go late afternoon into sunset if the sky is clear. That is when the whole place comes alive, and the light is the nicest. It is also the busiest time, so do not expect quiet.

If you want it calmer, go early morning. You will still get the sea view, but with way fewer people.

If it is a public holiday or a weekend evening, expect crowds. If you hate that feeling, pick a different beach or go earlier.

Swimming here: what to know before you step in

This is the part people get wrong.

Some sources and locals treat Baicheng as a place you can swim, and you will definitely see people going into the water.

But there are also repeated warnings about strong currents and hidden rocks or reefs in this area. Some travelers specifically say it is not a good swimming beach.

So my practical take is this: treat Baicheng as a wading and feet in the water beach unless you see clearly marked safe swimming zones and active lifeguard coverage that day. If you want proper, relaxed swimming, plan for a different beach and do not try to force it here.

The small detail most people miss: the rocks and the tide

Baicheng has big shoreline rocks that are basically part of the postcard look here, and they change a lot depending on the tide. At low tide, more rock and reef area gets exposed, and you will see people walking out for photos.

If you show up and wonder why the beach looks different from the photos you saw, it is usually just the tide.

Getting there without stress

If you are using Didi, the easiest is to paste Chinese characters:

• 白城沙滩
• 厦大白城

That usually drops you in the right area without you having to explain anything.

Public transport is doable too. There are buses that stop near Xiamen University and the Baicheng area, including routes that are literally named for Baicheng. Xiamen Universitys own transportation info even lists buses that run to Baicheng.

One more thing: do not rely on the metro for this right now. There is a Line 3 southern extension with stations planned around Xiamen University and Baicheng, but recent construction updates still describe it as under construction, not something you can count on today.

Pairing Baicheng with other nearby spots

This is where Baicheng is really useful. You can stack it into a day without it feeling like extra effort.

Good combos nearby:

• Hulishan Fortress, then walk to the beach for sunset
• A Huandao Road walk or bike ride with Baicheng as your turnaround point
• Xiamen University area, then beach right after

Quick heads up on Xiamen University: visiting usually requires an advance reservation through the official WeChat visitor reservation system, and people get turned away if they just show up. Bendi Bao+1
So if you are building your day around the campus, sort that out first. Otherwise, just enjoy the beach and the seaside walk without trying to enter the university.

What other travelers keep saying (and I agree with the logic)

I like checking what normal travelers say before I lock in plans, and Baicheng comes up a lot in that casual way, like a simple evening plan.

One person on Reddit just listed it as a straightforward stop when planning a Xiamen trip.

And you will see the swimming debate come up again and again for beaches in China in general. Rules and enforcement vary, and it is not always obvious what is allowed until you are standing there looking at the signs.

That matches how Baicheng feels: easy to visit, but you still need to use your eyes and judgement once you arrive.

My simple recommendation

If you want a beach that is easy, central, and feels local, Baicheng Beach is a good pick. Go for a walk, enjoy the sea air, and catch sunset if the weather is clear.

Just do not build your day around swimming here. Treat it more like a scenic seaside stop, and it becomes one of those places that quietly ends up being a highlight.