Xiamen University

Handle the reservation as a lottery, not a first-come booking race

Current public guidance says visitor slots are now assigned through online registration and a rolling same-day draw, so the first real task is getting a successful result rather than refreshing for instant release.

Enter only through the Visitor Center route

For outside visitors, the practical gate logic is simple: treat the Visitor Center as the entry point and stop planning around older gate habits from travel blogs.

Keep the route focused on the core architectural and lake zone

For a first visit, the best return usually comes from the Jiageng-style building cluster, Furong Lake, Shangxian Field, and a controlled look at Furong Tunnel rather than trying to cover every corner.

Use the exit to connect your next stop

If you are continuing to Baicheng Beach or Hulishan Fortress, exit on the south side. If you are moving back toward the temple or central city, plan that before you start walking the campus.