Xiamen Bicycle Skyway

If you see "Xiamen Bicycle Skyway" (also called the Xiamen Air Bike Lane), it looks intimidating at first. People wonder where the entrance is, whether you need a special bike, and if it is even meant for tourists. I get it. Even on Reddit, you will find travelers asking basic questions like "which entrance is near a metro" and "what app do I need."

Here is what actually matters on the ground, based on current local guides and recent traveler info.

What the Xiamen Bicycle Skyway actually is

This is an elevated bike lane built under Xiamen's BRT viaduct. It runs about 7.6 km from BRT Hongwen Station to BRT Xianhou Station, with multiple entry and exit points along the way (often described as 11 entrances).

A few basics that help set expectations:

• It is not a seaside ride. You are mostly riding above city roads and parks, not along the coast.
• It is more "clever infrastructure" than "scenic attraction", but it is still fun because it feels so different.
• It is designed to connect with public transport, especially BRT stations.

Opening hours and rules that actually get enforced

Most local listings still show opening hours around 06:30 to 22:30.

Rules are simple, but they matter:

• No pedestrians.
• No e-bikes / electric scooters.
• There is a speed limit posted (often cited as 25 km/h), and the whole system is monitored.

There are also smart gates and monitoring. If it gets crowded, entrances can be temporarily closed for flow control. It is not common as a tourist, but it explains why you might see a gate shut even though it is within hours.

Choosing an entrance that is easy on a first visit

The easiest way to think about it is: start at a BRT station that connects directly to the skyway.

Most guides describe the route as starting at BRT Hongwen and ending at BRT Xianhou, and they also mention entrances near stations like Caitang and Jinshan.

What I would do if I wanted the least friction:

• Start at BRT Hongwen if you want the "main start" that most guides reference.
• Start at BRT Caitang if that is closer to where you are staying and you just want a shorter ride.
• Start at BRT Xianhou if you want to ride one direction and then hop back on BRT right away.

Practical tip: on Chinese map apps, search the Chinese name "厦门空中自行车道" plus "入口" (entrance). It often shows the ramp locations more clearly than searching in English.

Bike rental: what usually works for foreigners

There are two different "bike situations" people mix up:

• Public bikes / fixed platforms on the skyway system itself (often mentioned as being available at each entrance area).
• Regular shared bikes around the city (HelloRide, Meituan, DiDi Qingju, etc.), which are great in Xiamen in general but may or may not be accepted by the skyway gates depending on the bike type and local enforcement.

If you just want the simplest setup as a visitor, this is the realistic approach:

• Use Alipay and open the bike share services inside it (HelloRide is a common one foreigners report working best).
• Expect to do some form of verification, and keep mobile data working (eSIM helps a lot).

About cost: older local guides often describe public-bike style pricing like "first hour free, then small increments." Treat that as a bonus, not something to plan your day around, because bike systems change over time.

What the ride feels like (so you know if it is for you)

This is what makes the skyway worth doing once:

• You are separated from traffic, so it feels calmer than street riding.
• The lane is wide enough that you do not feel trapped, and there are guardrails the whole way.
• There are merges and curved sections that feel a bit like a bike highway.

What you should not expect:

• A postcard view the whole way.
• A quiet ride at peak commuter times.

If you want it to feel relaxed, go mid-morning on a weekday or after dinner. If you go right at rush hour, it can feel more like a commuting corridor, because that is literally what it was built for.

My honest take: when it is worth it, and when I would skip it

I would do the Xiamen bicycle skyway if:

• You like cities and infrastructure, and you want something different from temples and beaches.
• You want a low-stress bike experience without mixing with cars.
• You have 60 to 90 minutes to fill and you want a "one-and-done" activity.

I would skip it if:

• You only want "pretty coastal cycling". In that case, Huandao Road (Island Ring Road) is the better use of your time, because it is actually built around sea views.

They are different rides. The skyway is a clever city ride. Huandao Road is the classic "Xiamen coastline" ride.

Small mistakes that waste time (easy to avoid)

• Going to the wrong level: many entrances are tucked into BRT station structures or overpasses, so you can be "at the right place" but still not see the ramp.
• Arriving without data: you will want maps, translation, and bike unlock to work. Do not plan to wing it on hotel Wi-Fi.
• Picking the wrong bike type: avoid anything electric. Stick to a normal pedal bike. BendiBao
• Overplanning the view: it is cool because it is elevated, not because it is the most beautiful ride in China.

The simple way to do it and feel confident

If you are nervous about the logistics, do it like this:

• Pick one BRT station entrance (Hongwen, Caitang, or Xianhou).
• Ride one direction for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Exit at another BRT-linked point and take BRT back.

That is it. No big commitment, and you still get the full "why does this exist" experience.

You do not need to be a cyclist. You just need a working phone setup and a normal bike. Once you are on the lane, it is straightforward.