WHERE TO STAY
Sofitel Plaza Xiamen has eight function rooms, including a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 420 people. The 393-room hotel, a 20-minute drive from the airport has
hosted groups of up to 60 from companies such as Dell and Maersk. Ceasar’s, the
restaurant on the third floor, has an outdoor terrace with sweeping views.
The 360-room Sheraton Xiamen is popular with conference groups and has hosted events such as the 400-strong BNP Paribas Securities Asia 14th Annual China Conference, as well as conferences for Kodak, GlaxoSmithKline and Canon. A 15-minute drive from the airport, the hotel’s meeting facilities include six function rooms and a ballroom that can hold 770 people.
The 1,525-room Xianglu Grand Hotel is an eight-minute drive from the airport. There are 26 function rooms and two ballrooms which can each accommodate up to 950 guests, making them the city’s biggest.
Dining options include a 750-seat restaurant and the 3,000 sqm Atrium Garden restaurant.
The hotel has hosted big conferences for companies such as Coca Cola (1,500 people)
and Toyota (1,200 people). CIFIT, a government organisation, also held a dinner for 3,000 people here last year.
CONVENTION FACILITIES
The Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Centre (XICEC), which overlooks the sea, is the venue of the annual China International Fair for Investment and Trade. The total exhibition space here comes up to 150,000 sqm. The crescent-shaped ballroom, with sea views, can hold up to 1,500 people. In addition, there are 18 meeting rooms ranging in size from 48 to 215 sqm.
AIR ACCESS
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is China’s fourth busiest with 17 international
destinations served – including Singapore, Osaka, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok,
Jakarta and Manila – and connecting flights to all major cities in mainland China.
Xiamen Airlines operates daily flights to Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as regular
services to Bangkok and Seoul. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the city centre.
BEST TIME TO GO
Xiamen has a subtropical climate. It enjoys mild weather most of the year, with an
average temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius, however typhoons are common
in late summer from July to September.
Weather issues aside, it is also a good idea to avoid the national holidays in February
(Spring Festival), and the week-long National Day break starting on October 1. Xiamen is
a popular tourist destination and can be unpleasantly crowded during these holidays.
INCENTIVE OPTIONS
Temples, mountains and a breathtaking seascape; all things Xiamen is known for. It
has been nicknamed the ‘Garden on the Sea’ for its verdant environment and has the
distinction of being the only Chinese city to have received a UN Habitat award for
liveability and sustainable development.
The islet of Gulangyu, a five-minute ferry ride from the city centre, is also popular.
Colonial villas in varying stages of upkeep and gardens set behind high walls dot the islet
nicknamed ‘Piano Island’ for its boast of having the world’s highest per capita ownership of
pianos. Motor vehicles are banned, except for a few buggies carrying tourists who find the
hilly streets too challenging.
Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort is a popular spot. The hot spring park, located about 30 km from the city centre, sprawls over 260,000 sqm and has a hotel with 115 rooms.
Local flavour, good value
Xiamen has the facilities for medium-sized business groups
