Huandao Road (Island Ring Road)

Huandao Road is simple. You do not need a plan with 12 stops. You just need to pick a good starting point, walk or bike along the coast, and turn back when you feel done.

The easiest plan that works for almost everyone

1. Start at Baicheng Beach (白城沙滩). It is easy to reach and it drops you straight onto the coastal path.
2. Walk or bike towards Zengcuo’an (曾厝垵). This stretch is the classic “sea on one side, path on the other” experience.
3. Turn back whenever you want. A good first-timer target is 60 to 90 minutes total if you are walking, or 8 to 12 km if you are biking.

How to get there without thinking too hard

1. Use Didi inside Alipay. Type: Baicheng Beach or Xiamen University Baicheng and go.
2. If you prefer metro + short taxi, just do metro to the general area and finish with Didi. The last bit is usually the annoying part, so taxi is worth it.
3. If the driver drops you on the “wrong side”, do not stress. Walk 2 to 5 minutes and you will hit the coast path.

Walking vs biking: what I would pick

1. Walking is best if you want it calm and you like stopping for photos or just sitting by the water.
2. Biking is best if you want to cover more coastline and still keep it chill.
3. If you only have one shot at it, I would bike. It feels like you see more, and you can still stop whenever you want.

Renting a bike in the simplest way

1. Shared bikes (Hello Bike / similar): easiest if your Alipay is already working. Scan QR, unlock, ride.
2. Local rental shops: easiest if your phone setup is annoying that day. You just pay and go.
3. If you are with someone, renting a tandem can be fun, but only if you are both ok with being a little uncoordinated for the first 5 minutes.

The only “rules” that matter on the path

1. Stay on the walking side if you are walking. Bikes and e-bikes can come fast from behind.
2. If you bike, do not weave. Just hold your line and pass slowly.
3. Bring water. You can buy drinks along the way, but having one bottle from the start makes it easier.

Where to stop without making it a whole project

1. Zengcuo’an is the obvious break point. It is good for a snack and a quick reset before you head back.
2. If you just want a quiet stop, pick any beach access point, sit for 10 minutes, then continue. That is the whole point of this road.

The best time of day

1. Morning if you want it cooler and quieter.
2. Late afternoon to sunset if you want the nicest light.
3. Midday is fine too. Just expect sun and more people.

Quick conclusion

Huandao Road is one of the easiest things to do in Xiamen. Start at Baicheng Beach, go in the direction of Zengcuo’an, and keep it simple. Walk if you want calm. Bike if you want more coastline with the same effort.

If you want, I can also rewrite this into an even shorter version that reads like a “do this, not that” checklist.