Xiamen Botanical Garden (commonly known as "Wanshi Botanical Garden") is located in Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. As a rare botanical garden built in the urban center of China, it integrates multiple functions including plant species conservation, scientific research, science popularization, ecological protection, and tourism services. The garden has introduced and collected more than 8,500 species of plants (including varieties and infraspecific taxa), established 15 specialized gardens, and houses scientific research institutions such as the National Conservation Center for Palm Plants. Covering an area of approximately 4.93 square kilometers, it boasts numerous distinctive landscapes and abundant plant resources, making it a renowned scenic spot where natural and cultural landscapes complement each other perfectly.
History and Culture
The predecessor of Xiamen Botanical Garden was a nursery under the jurisdiction of the Xiamen Garden Administration Office. The preparation for building a botanical park began in 1960. In 1961, it was established as the "Fujian Xiamen Arboretum", renamed "Xiamen Botanical Garden" in 1962, and further renamed "Xiamen Municipal Botanical Garden" in 1999.
The garden houses many historical relics and cultural landscapes. For example, Wanshi Lian Temple is said to have been built during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, and it is one of the earliest temples on Xiamen Island. Tianjie Temple was built with donations raised by Monk Yuesong in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The "Morning Bell at Tianjie" is one of the old "Eight Minor Scenes" and the new twenty famous scenes of Xiamen. "Little Peach Garden" is said to be an "underground villa" built by Zheng Lian, Marquis of Dingyuan in the late Ming Dynasty, and was expanded by Shi Lang during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. Taipingyan Temple is said to have been first built in the Tang Dynasty, and its existing buildings were reconstructed in 2008. On the rock wall below the temple, the three characters "Jile Tian" (Paradise) form an interesting contrast with the "Taiping Stone Smile", making it a famous cliff stone carving landscape in Xiamen.
Main Attractions
Hoop Pine Open Lawn
Built in the 1960s, designed by the renowned Chinese landscape architect Professor Sun Xiaoxiang, it is located on the south side of Wanshi Lake, covering an area of about 1 hectare. There are 3 genera and 37 species in the Araucariaceae family. Currently, the garden has introduced 3 genera and 15 species. On the southeast side of the Hoop Pine Lawn, there is a plantation of about 10 hectares of Araucaria heterophylla, which is the largest pure forest of Araucaria heterophylla in China at present.
Wanshi Lake
Originally Wanshiyan Reservoir, built in 1952, it served as a strategic reserve reservoir for Xiamen City in those days. It is formed by the confluence of two major water systems in the garden: Shuimokeng Stream and Qiao Stream. Today, it has become the core of the botanical garden's landscape. On the north side of Wanshi Lake lie the Pine and Fir Garden and the Bamboo Path; on the south side is the Hoop Pine Lawn; on the east side are Palm Island and the Hundred Flowers Hall; and on the west dam, rows of Washingtonia filifera, native to the Americas and full of southern charm, are planted. The lake scenery with reflections of trees presents a unique and delightful view.
Hundred Flowers Hall
Designed in a garden-within-a-garden layout, it features a lotus pond at its center, where lotus flowers, giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) and water lilies are in full bloom. The overall architecture is structured in the style of traditional Chinese gardens. Five exhibition halls are arranged along the pond, connected either by corridors or paths. With white walls, pink pillars and glazed tile roofs, the halls are scattered in an elegant and well-proportioned manner. Various themed exhibitions are held here all year round or on holidays.
Little Peach Garden
It is said that the "Little Peach Garden" was an "underground villa" built by Zheng Lian, Marquis of Dingyuan in the late Ming Dynasty, and was expanded by Shi Lang during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. The elegant name "Little Peach Garden" was inscribed by Ji Xuguo in the Ming Dynasty, implying that the scenery here is similar to the "Peach Blossom Spring" described by Tao Yuanming.
Wanshu Chaotian (Ten Thousand Tablets Facing the Sky)
"Wanshu Chaotian" is one of the old eight minor scenes among the twenty-four scenic spots of Xiamen. In the past, no trees were planted in large areas on Wanshi Mountain, and from a distance, the mountain was covered with strange rocks. Rows of rocks face the same direction, like ministers holding memorial tablets paying homage to the emperor, hence the name "Wanshu Chaotian". Today, among the lush greenery, only the stone carvings remain to be remembered by later generations.
Elephant Trunk Peak
"Elephant Trunk Peak" is formed by two rocks standing side by side, with a height of seven to eight zhang (about 23 to 27 meters). The gap between the two rocks is extremely narrow, and their shape is very similar to an elephant's trunk. The words "Elephant Trunk Peak" are inscribed on the rocks, written by Li Zhang, the Tongzhi (deputy magistrate) of Xiamen Coastal Defense during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, who was also the calligrapher of the four characters "Wanshu Chaotian".
New Stone Forest of Steles
It features a typical coastal low hill granite landform. After tens of millions of years of crustal changes, it has become a place where "ten thousand rocks" are concentrated in Wanshi Mountain. Most of the rocks here are spheroidal weathered bodies, either standing or lying alone, or piled up in groups. Taking advantage of the local terrain, this area has been developed into a "stone forest of steles". And because the rocks are inscribed with poems and inscriptions by contemporary celebrities and famous scholars, it is named the "New Stone Forest of Steles".
Wanshi Lian Temple
Located at the foot of the huge rock of "Wanshu Chaotian", it got its name because there are many huge rocks around the temple. It is said to have been built during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty by the Chen family from the Central Plains who came to develop the island. It is one of the earliest temples on Xiamen Island, with a history of more than 1,000 years. Later, it went through several periods of prosperity and decline and was rebuilt several times. Its current appearance was restored by Venerable Hong Chuan, the president of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, after Xiamen opened up to the outside world.
Succulent Plant Area
Covering an area of about 4 hectares, it was built in 1999. It has three indoor exhibition halls, namely the Cactaceae Exhibition Hall, the Succulent Plant Exhibition Hall, and the Forest Succulent Plant Exhibition Hall, as well as an outdoor exhibition area simulating a desert environment. At present, this area has collected nearly 3,000 species (including varieties) of succulent plants belonging to more than 50 families. It is one of the most distinctive specialized gardens in the botanical garden, and also an important base for succulent plant cultivation, landscape application demonstration, scientific research and science popularization education in China.
Rainforest World
Covering an area of about 16 hectares, the park area includes two scenic spots of the old twenty-four scenic spots of Xiamen: "Ziyun De Lu" (Purple Cloud Path) and "Gaodu Qin Dong" (High Reading and Qin Cave), as well as the Qiao Stream Bridge built in the Ming Dynasty, which is a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit. A fog forest system is built in the garden, which atomizes tap water and sprays it out, filling the space with mist that looms in and out, creating an illusory and realistic fantasy world.
Rose Garden
Built in 1995, the Rosaceae family is an important economic family, with 124 genera and more than 3,300 species, mainly distributed in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. China has 51 genera and more than 1,000 species, including peaches, plums, apricots, apples, pears, cherry blossoms, Chinese roses, roses, strawberries and so on.
Palm Plant Area (Palm Island)
Located on the east side of Wanshi Lake, it is a peninsula protruding into the lake. With coconut trees, lake scenery, mountain views and green shadows, it presents a unique tropical island coconut grove landscape. In the depths, there is a tea house built in the style of Dai ethnic buildings, next to which there is a lotus leaf-shaped footbridge and a lotus pond. Palm plants are mainly trees and shrubs, with a few lianas, distributed in tropical America and tropical Asia. There are about 2,500 species in the world. China has 18 native genera and 117 species (including varieties), mainly produced in South China and Southwest China. Most palm plants are excellent ornamental plants for gardens, and they can also be used for fiber, food, oil, starch, medicinal materials and many other purposes.
Tour Routes
Mountain Climbing Route: West Gate Entrance → Wanshi Hancui → Hoop Pine Lawn / Deng Xiaoping's Tree-Planting Site → Science Popularization Exhibition Hall → Rainforest World → Medicinal Plant Area → Gaodu Qin Dong → Succulent Plant Area → Mid-Hill Observation Deck → Cliff Stone Carvings → New Stone Forest of Steles → Little Peach Garden → Elephant Trunk Peak → Rose Garden → Palm Garden → Hundred Flowers Hall → Wanshi Hancui → West Gate Exit. Duration: about 3 hours.
Essential Attractions Route: West Gate Entrance → Succulent Plant Area → Rainforest World → Morning Bell at Tianjie → Hundred Flowers Hall → Hoop Pine Lawn / Deng Xiaoping's Tree-Planting Site → Wanshi Hancui → West Gate Exit. Duration: about 2 hours.
Lake Loop Route: West Gate Entrance → Wanshi Hancui → Hoop Pine Lawn / Deng Xiaoping's Tree-Planting Site → Palm Island → Hundred Flowers Hall → Rose Garden / Elephant Trunk Peak / Wanshu Chaotian → Wanshi Lian Temple → Bamboo Path → Suoyun Stone → Pine and Fir Garden → West Gate Exit. Duration: about 1.5 hours.
Travel Tips
- In summer with high temperatures, it is recommended to enter the garden before 9 a.m. to avoid the intense noon sun; in winter, you can visit in the afternoon when the light is warm.
- Wear lightweight sports shoes as there are many mountain paths in the garden; the rainforest area has high humidity, so it is advisable to bring a sun-protective clothing and an umbrella.
- Carry drinking water and snacks as there are few shops in the garden; for taking photos, it is recommended to wear light-colored clothes, which match the plant landscapes better.
- Tourists with children can focus on visiting the rainforest area and the xerophytic plant area, which are highly interesting; elderly tourists are advised to take the sightseeing bus.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the garden. Please take good care of the plants and do not pick them at will.
- The ground is slippery during the fog-spraying period in the rainforest area, so please watch your step; the cacti in the xerophytic plant area have thorns, so do not touch them.
- The last departure time of the sightseeing bus is synchronized with the closing time of the garden. It is recommended to plan your boarding time in advance.
- There are a large number of tourists during holidays, and the queue time at the South Gate Entrance is relatively long. You can choose to enter from the West Gate (Huyuan Road), where there are fewer people.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 3, 17, 19, 21, 87, 96, 122, 139, 659 or 857 and get off at the "Botanical Garden Station", then walk for about 5 minutes to the South Gate.
- Metro: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at "Zhongshan Park Station", Exit 3, then walk for about 15 minutes; take Metro Line 3 and get off at "Xiamen Railway Station", Exit 4, then ride a shared bike for about 10 minutes.
- Self-driving: There are parking lots at the South Gate and West Gate of the garden. Parking spaces are tight during holidays, so public transportation is recommended.
Opening Hours
Open all year round. Daily opening hours: 06:30 - 18:00 (admission stops at 17:30). During legal holidays and summer vacation (July 1st - August 31st), the opening hours are extended to 18:30 (admission stops at 18:00).
Ticket Price
Ticket price: 30 RMB per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "夏门市园林植物园" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.