Gulangyu Lin Family Thin Pancakes

Back to the Old Days
A few lanes, the scent of tea drifting from old houses, the vintage theater, the cultural park—so much of this city's easygoing charm, soaked in and softened by time.
It lingers in memory, blurred yet warm.
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Gulangyu | Lin Sixi
Foreign-style villas near Union Church, Western architecture at every turn, the distinctive eaves and winding corridors, the beach at Wanzaihou, the lighthouse, and the sunset.
You can book ferry tickets in advance through the "Xiamen Ferry Co., Ltd." WeChat public account—35 yuan round trip. There's no transportation on the island, so getting lost might just be part of the romance. Wear comfortable shoes, and time your visit for the golden hour around dusk.
Lin Sixi
Three floors in total, with a refined Chinese interior that feels substantial and well-crafted. The furniture, the displays, the redwood staircase—all of it works together.
Dried pork floss, seaweed, and cilantro wrapped with a house-made stir-fried filling into a roll. One bite and you're hooked.
【Sixi Satay Hot Pot】
Fresh shrimp, squid, sliced pork, and tofu simmering in a generous pot, rich with that signature Minnan satay flavor.
【Steamed Egg with Fresh Shrimp】
The shrimp are fresh and plump, though the egg near the bottom of the dish can be slightly overcooked.
【Lin Family Signature Braised Pork Rice】
Braised pork, sauce, and rice mixed together—hearty and satisfying, though it can get a touch salty if you overdo it.
【Pork Soup】
Tender pork paste blended with crunchy water chestnuts in a clean, savory broth.
Address: No. 300 Longtou Road, Xiamen, near the Underwater World
Hours: 11:00–16:00, 17:00–22:00
Average spend: ¥84 per person
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Bashi Market | Yu Bao Wang Minnan Teahouse & Huiyuan Bakery
Bashi is tied to the sea, a place where old streets and aging buildings carry the musty scent of history, and narrow, bustling lanes hide some of the best flavors in town.
Yu Bao Wang Minnan Teahouse
It has the feel of a Cantonese dim sum house, with a refined setting. Inside, plenty of old-school Xiamen locals gather.
【Yu Bao Wang】
Mashed taro worked slowly into tapioca starch gives the skin a soft, fragrant chew. Inside: abalone, dried bamboo shoots, mushrooms, shrimp, dried tofu, and shredded pork—clean and light in flavor. Drizzle on some sweet chili sauce, and it's plenty filling.
Address: No. 27 Dayuan Road, Xiamen
Hours: 07:00–22:00
Average spend: ¥44 per person
Huiyuan Bakery
Running since the 1990s, this place holds a nostalgic spot for old-school bread that locals grew up loving.
【Fried Bread】
Coated in shredded coconut, with a filling of pork, egg, and ham inside.
【Chicken Cutlet Burger】
Four yuan a piece—a generous chicken cutlet, mayonnaise spilling out, and cucumber slices. Bite in without any greasy aftertaste.
Address: No. 22 Kaihe Road, Xiamen
Hours: 05:00–22:00
Average spend: ¥8 per person
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Stay | Tianyuan Junlong Hotel
·Location
Close to Baolong One City and Lingdou Metro Station, about a 30-minute drive from Gaoqi Airport. A solid pick for business travelers.
Designed by CCD, carrying on the idea of "understanding a city through its hotel." The overall vibe is modern and business-oriented—open, communal, and calm.
·Check-in
The lobby is spacious and bright, with subtle nods to Minnan old-house details like "fish spine" motifs. The warm color palette is carefully considered, blending softly with the contemporary fixtures.
·Executive King Room
The view from the 16th floor is something else—sea and city melting into one.
Cream, light wood, and pale walnut set a business-friendly tone. To the right of the hallway, a mirror sits against the wall, lines and surfaces left honest and unadorned.
The headboard's restrained design, paired with the smooth strokes of an oil painting, gives the room a Zen-like, airy quality.
Lighting: Legrand | Appliances: Hisense
The bathroom is cleanly divided into wet and dry zones, with thoughtful fixtures that meet vintage touches naturally. The recessed wall niches are a clever design choice—functional without feeling intrusive.
Under the warm glow, the bathtub invites a long soak. Toiletries are mostly Tianyuan's own brand, with a fresh coconut scent.
·Breakfast
Breakfast is served on the sixth floor at the hotel's Chinese restaurant, focusing on Minnan and Cantonese dishes, including local staples like satay noodles and misua paste.
The magic of satay noodles lies in the broth. Noodles go into a basket strainer, blanch in boiling water, and land in a bowl. Then you add your choice of duck gizzard, fresh squid, dried tofu, and more, finishing with a ladle of the bubbling soup from the big pot. Simple, personal, perfect. Refills come quickly, and the private rooms and open kitchen fit the hotel's overall style.
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Good Eats | Wang Yue
A rooftop terrace blending Vietnamese and Thai flavors—it feels like you've been transported somewhere warm and lively in an instant.
【Lemon Chicken Feet】
Tart, tangy broth soaking into boneless chicken feet—packed with flavor.
【Charcoal-Grilled Pork Neck】
Unlike the usual Chinese preparation, this one looks irresistible. Tender meat, best with the dipping sauce.
【Curry Beef Brisket】
You can't skip the curry here. Pour it over rice and it fills the air with coconut aroma. The brisket is rich, cut just right, and so flavorful you'll keep reaching for another piece.
【Pineapple Fried Rice】
Loaded with shrimp, nuts, and pork floss—colorful and comforting on the palate.
【Crab Roe Tofu】
Silky tofu with crab roe that doesn't feel heavy, in a light, savory broth.
Address: F4-26, Baolong One City, No. 1 Jinshan Road
Hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00
Average spend: ¥110 per person
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Stroll | Shanhai Health Trail
Shanhai Health Trail
Opened earlier this year, the trail runs from Dongdu International Cruise Terminal in the west to Guanyinshan Dream Beach on Huandao Road in the east—23 kilometers in total. "Shanhai" means mountain and sea, and along the way you can take in "eight mountains and three waters": Yundang Lake, Huwei Mountain, Xianyue Mountain, Yuanshan, Xueling Mountain, Hutou Mountain, Jinshan, Lakeside Reservoir, Wuyuan Bay, Huzai Mountain, and Guanyinshan.
The trail has 52 access points, though not all are open yet. Besides the seven elevated bridges threading through the forest, there are seasonal flower displays and city viewpoints along the way.
Given time and energy, it's best to sample a section. Take a taxi up to the "Sea Pearl Observation Tower," then walk down from Huwei Mountain to the cruise terminal and descend via the spiral staircase.
The official Shanhai Health Trail app has detailed maps and audio guides—download it in advance.
Address: Huli Park, about 320m from Exit 1 of Tangbian Station on Metro Line 1
Admission: Free