Xiamen Zhonggu Ropeway is located in Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, within the Wanshi Mountain—Gulangyu Island National Scenic Area. It is adjacent to the west side of Xiamen Botanical Garden, a national 4A-level scenic area, with the specific address ranging from No.25 to No.110 Huyuan Road. Built relying on the natural mountain body of Zhonggu Mountain, it is a well-known urban high-altitude sightseeing ropeway in southern Fujian and the only dynamic aerial sightseeing project on Xiamen Island. The total length of the ropeway line is more than 1,000 meters, with 9 steel frame supports along the whole line and 82 sightseeing cabins. The maximum height from the ground can reach 150 meters, and the whole round trip takes about 40 minutes. With a total project investment of over 10 million yuan, it connects the Botanical Garden, Huxi Rock, Hongshan Park and the Wulao Peak area of South Putuo Temple. The Wanshi Mountain area features dense mountain vegetation and superior ecological environment, serving as a natural urban oxygen bar. Adopting circulating cable car equipment with stable operation, the ropeway allows visitors to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Xiamen's mountains, seas, urban buildings and island scenery. It is a characteristic cultural and tourist attraction integrating natural sightseeing and urban viewing in Xiamen.
History and Culture
The construction planning of Zhonggu Ropeway started in the second half of 2001, with official construction launched afterward. The main project was completed in 2003, and it passed the safety and quality inspection by national authorities in October 2004. Finally, it officially opened to the public on May 1, 2005, filling the gap of urban high-altitude sightseeing ropeway in Xiamen.
The ropeway is named after the local Zhonggu Mountain, integrating the mountain culture of southern Fujian and the marine and mountain regional characteristics of Xiamen. Wulao Peak and Huxi Rock along the route are both famous cultural mountains with a thousand years of history in Xiamen. Since ancient times, Wulao Peak has been a sacred place for Fujian Buddhism culture, adjacent to South Putuo Temple with strong Buddhist charm. A large number of cliff carvings and ancient road relics are preserved on the mountain. Meanwhile, there are tunnels, trenches and other historical relics left from the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in the area, witnessing the modern revolutionary history and changes of Xiamen. Natural landscapes, religious culture and modern history blend here perfectly.
After years of operation, Zhonggu Ropeway has continuously optimized facilities and services. Under the premise of protecting mountain ecology and historical relics, it has become a landmark urban sightseeing project in Xiamen. It is not only a popular leisure destination for local residents, but also a core check-in spot for tourists from all over the world to overlook the panoramic view of Xiamen and experience the charm of this island city.
Main Attractions
Lower Station Service Area
The lower station of Zhonggu Ropeway is next to the west gate of Xiamen Botanical Garden, serving as the starting point of the ropeway tour. It is equipped with complete basic service facilities including ticket hall, tourist waiting area, information desk and restrooms. The overall architectural style is integrated with the mountain forest environment, with convenient transportation connection and close proximity to urban main roads. It can easily connect the Botanical Garden and Huyuan Road pedestrian trails, acting as a core area for tourist distribution, ticket handling and travel rest.
Panoramic Aerial Sightseeing Section
This section is the core landscape area of Zhonggu Ropeway. The cable car slowly travels over the mountain forests of Zhonggu Mountain, crossing the entire vegetation forest area of Wanshi Mountain. During the ride, visitors can closely view original rainforest vegetation and rugged rocks, overlook the old urban buildings of Xiamen and Hongshan Ancient Temple. On clear days, you can also see sea views such as Gulangyu Island and Kinmen Islands. The integrated scenery of mountains, sea, city and islands is fully presented here, making it an excellent spot for sunset shooting and urban panoramic photography.
Wulao Peak Scenic Section
The upper station of the ropeway connects to the Wulao Peak area on the west side of South Putuo Temple. As a classic famous mountain in Xiamen, Wulao Peak features rolling continuous peaks and quiet mountain forests with profound Buddhist cultural heritage. It boasts a wide field of vision, where visitors can overlook the complete building complex of South Putuo Temple and the coastal scenery of Siming District, Xiamen. Ancient stone steps, cliff inscriptions and other cultural landscapes are scattered in the mountains, forming a beautiful contrast between natural mountain forests and southern Fujian ancient architecture culture.
Huxi Rock Overlook Landscape Belt
The middle section of the ropeway passes over Huxi Rock, a time-honored scenic spot in Xiamen famous for strange rocks, boulders and natural caves. It features steep rock walls and dense forests. Overlooking the panoramic view of Huxi Rock from a high-altitude perspective allows visitors to directly appreciate the unique Danxia landforms and secluded mountain scenery of southern Fujian, providing a distinctive experience different from ground sightseeing.
Tour Route
Zhonggu Ropeway Lower Station Ticket Check Gate → Take Sightseeing Cable Car for High-altitude Tour → Sightseeing over Wulao Peak → Overlook Huxi Rock Area → Return by Cable Car → Exit at Lower Station → Walking Connection to Xiamen Botanical Garden / South Putuo Temple
Travel Tips
- It is recommended to take the cable car around 16:00 in the afternoon. The 40-minute trip allows you to enjoy the sea sunset with better light and shadow effects for photography.
- It is suggested to arrange a half-day tour combining Xiamen Botanical Garden and South Putuo Temple to reasonably connect the visiting rhythm of various scenic spots.
- The ropeway only provides round-trip tickets without one-way service. Please arrange physical strength reasonably before the trip and avoid rapid movement in the air.
- Spring and autumn feature pleasant climate and beautiful mountain scenery, which are the best travel seasons; please take sun protection and insect prevention measures in summer.
- There will be a large number of tourists on holidays. It is advised to travel off-peak or purchase tickets online in advance to reduce on-site queuing time.
Notes
- The cable cabins have fixed passenger capacity. Shaking the cabin, climbing guardrails or stretching head, hands and feet out of the window are strictly prohibited during operation.
- Children under 1.2 meters in height can enter for free and must be accompanied by adult guardians throughout the ride.
- People suffering from hypertension, heart disease, acrophobia, vertigo, pregnant women and people with limited mobility are advised to take the ropeway with caution.
- The ropeway will be temporarily suspended or restricted in case of severe weather such as strong wind, thunderstorm, heavy rain and typhoon. Please check the real-time scenic area announcement before traveling.
- Carrying flammable and explosive items, controlled sharp weapons, oversized luggage and pets are forbidden in the ropeway riding area.
- Please protect the mountain ecological environment. Smoking is prohibited in the entire scenic area. Do not litter and protect the vegetation and historical relics along the route.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Xiamen Metro Line 1 to Zhongshan Park Station, Exit 4, then walk 300 meters towards Zhonggushan Tunnel to reach the scenic entrance.
- Bus: Take bus No.87, No.57, No.309 and other lines to Botanical Garden Station or Zhonggu Ropeway Station, then walk 2 to 5 minutes to the ticket office.
- Self-driving: Navigate to Xiamen Zhonggu Ropeway Ticket Office. Municipal public parking lots are available nearby with limited parking spaces. Public transportation is recommended during peak hours.
- Walking Route: It takes a 50-meter walk from the west gate of Xiamen Botanical Garden or a 15-minute walk from the north gate of South Putuo Temple to reach the ropeway station directly.
Opening Hours
The regular daily operating hours are from 08:30 to 17:30. Ticket checking and cabin boarding stop at 17:30. The scenic area operates normally throughout holidays. The opening hours will be temporarily adjusted or short-term suspension will be implemented in case of extreme weather and routine equipment maintenance. The latest information is subject to on-site notice and official release on the day.
Ticket
Round-trip ticket: 80 yuan per person. Search the official WeChat service account "厦门钟鼓索道" for the latest updates.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.