A mild maritime climate with a typhoon season

Xiamen has a humid subtropical maritime climate — mild winters and warm, humid summers, moderated by the sea. Summer is long, hot and wet, and the city lies in the typhoon belt: from roughly July to September, typhoons can bring heavy rain, strong wind and occasional transport disruption. Winter is short, mild and rarely cold. Spring and autumn are pleasant, and greenery lasts all year.

Sort the paperwork first, then start exploring

1. Confirm where and when to register, as stated in your admission notice
2. Check into your dormitory or complete accommodation registration
3. Complete the document checks, medical examination and insurance your university requires
4. Set up your campus card, SIM card, bank card and everyday payment apps
5. Locate the campus clinic, the international student office and emergency contacts

A compact, walkable city with excellent public transport

Compared with China's megacities, Xiamen is compact and easy to navigate: a metro, buses and a large shared-bike network make getting around simple, and the island's seaside paths are pleasant to cycle. The city is clean and green, with a strong café and seafood culture. Xiamen University's campus is a short walk from the coast, and the ferry to Gulangyu is a well-known local ritual. Costs are moderate — higher than inland cities but below Shenzhen and Shanghai.

Confirm your housing first, then work out monthly costs

On-campus places, room types and opening dates are arranged by the university. Xiamen's living costs sit between the inland cities and the coastal megacities. The Siming campus area is central and convenient; Xiang'an and Zhangzhou campuses are further out, so check the commute if you consider off-campus housing. Apply for a dormitory early if you want one.

Gulangyu, Tan Kah Kee and a global overseas-Chinese story

Xiamen's culture is maritime and outward-facing. Gulangyu (鼓浪屿), a car-free island of red-roofed colonial villas and banyan trees, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as the "Island of Music" for its piano heritage. The Nanputuo Temple (南普陀寺) sits at the foot of Xiamen University's campus, and the Jimei School Village on the mainland is a remarkable complex of schools, halls and gardens built by Tan Kah Kee (陈嘉庚), the overseas-Chinese philanthropist who founded both Xiamen University and Jimei University. Because Xiamen is a historic homeland of overseas Chinese, international and returned-overseas students are a familiar part of campus life here — which can make the social transition gentler than in less international cities.

Fujian seafood and Minnan flavours by the sea

Xiamen's cooking is Minnan (闽南, southern Fujian) seafood: 沙茶面 (shacha noodles, in a peanut-and-seafood broth), 海蛎煎 (oyster omelette), steamed and stir-fried seafood, 花生汤 (peanut soup), and a strong bubble-tea and dessert culture. Because of the overseas-Chinese connection, the city also has a distinct Southeast-Asian-influenced food thread. Halal (清真) restaurants are available; Buddhist-vegetarian food is common near temples. Campus canteens are cheap and seafood-heavy, and delivery is easy.

Festivals shape the academic year: 春节 (Spring Festival, usually late January–February) shuts campuses for weeks, so book travel home early; 国庆 (National Day, 1 October) brings a week-long holiday and crowded transport; 中秋 (Mid-Autumn) — marked locally with the 博饼 (bobing) dice game, a Minnan tradition — and 端午 (Dragon Boat) are celebrated with dragon-boat races on local waters. Freedom of belief is protected; Nanputuo Temple and the city's mosques and churches welcome respectful visitors. For any prayer or worship space, confirm arrangements with your international student office rather than assuming.

Set up the everyday toolkit in your first days

• WeChat (微信) — chat and group notices, plus WeChat Pay; universities push announcements here and you scan to pay in canteens and taxis.
• Alipay (支付宝) — Alipay Pay and transit codes for metro/bus; both apps accept major international cards for visitors, but keep some cash as backup.
• 高德地图 / 百度地图 (maps), 滴滴出行 (ride-hailing), 12306 (train tickets), 美团 / 饿了么 (food delivery).