Xiamen, a vibrant coastal city in Fujian Province, is famous for its seaside charm, colonial architecture, and subtropical scenery. From the UNESCO-listed Gulangyu Island to modern waterfront skylines, the city offers a variety of cinematic backdrops.
However, while Xiamen is visually rich, production resources are limited, so crews often need to plan carefully for logistics, equipment, and personnel. This guide covers everything from location scouting and permits to equipment rental and seasonal tips to make your Xiamen shoot smooth and efficient.
🎥 Production Resources in Xiamen
- Available Locally: Professional directors, cameramen/videographers, producers, makeup/hair artists, and location managers.
- Limited Roles: Sound recordists, bilingual fixers, assistant directors, DOPs, photographers, prop masters, and specialty crew (e.g., animal handlers).
- Recommendation: For large-scale productions, bring crew from Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Beijing for experience and reliability.
- Work Hours: Typical filming days run 10 hours excluding meal breaks.
- Insurance: Film crew and production insurance can be arranged upon request.
📄 Visa & Entry Requirements
- Recommended: Business (M) or Work (Z) visa for commercial filming.
- Tourist Visa: Sometimes accepted for small shoots, but not ideal for official productions.
📦 Bringing Gear to Xiamen
- ATA Carnet: Accepted for temporarily importing professional equipment.
- Customs Checks: Possible delays—always prepare full documentation.
- Alternative: Rent in Guangzhou or Shanghai and transport to Xiamen for convenience.
🎬 Equipment Rental in Xiamen
Xiamen’s rental market is small but functional:
- Cameras: ARRI Alexa, RED DSMC2, Sony FX series.
- Lenses: Angenieux, Cooke, Zeiss, ARRI Signature.
- Grip & Lighting: Limited variety; complex setups may require rentals from larger cities.
🖥 Post-Production
- Moderate resources available for editing, color grading, and sound post.
- For large-scale commercial or cinematic projects, consider using studios in Guangzhou or Shanghai for better equipment and expertise.
- Several photo and film studios are available for small-scale shoots or green screen work.
🏛 Locations & Permits
Government vs Private Property:
- Private locations are easier to secure—usually negotiated via direct payment.
- Government-owned cultural or historical sites require permits (often 1–2 weeks to process).
Public Filming:
- Technically not allowed without a permit.
- Small-scale, handheld filming is usually tolerated in tourist areas.
📍 Famous Filming Locations in Xiamen
- Gulangyu Island – Historic architecture, no cars, great for period or lifestyle shoots.
- Hulishan Fortress – Military history site with coastal views.
- South Putuo Temple – Active Buddhist temple with dramatic architecture.
- Zengcuo’an Village – Artsy neighborhood with colorful alleys.
- Xiamen University – One of China’s most beautiful campuses.
☀ Seasons, Weather & Air Quality
- Spring (Mar–May): Mild, ideal filming season.
- Summer (Jun–Sep): Hot, humid, typhoon season risk.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov): Pleasant temperatures, less rain.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Mild and short winter, minimal frost.
- Air Quality: Generally good compared to many Chinese cities, but check AQI before shooting.
🚁 Drone Usage
- No-fly zones cover city center and Gulangyu Island.
- Some areas require a licensed drone operator and have altitude restrictions.
💰 Costs
- Hotels: $100–$200 USD per night (mid- to high-range).
- Meals: $10–$50 USD/day depending on dining choice.
- Transport Vans: $150–$200 USD/day with driver.
🚗 Transportation & Local Logistics
- Airport: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) with domestic and international routes.
- Train: Two main stations—Xiamen Railway Station and Xiamen North—connect to major Chinese cities.
- Local Transport: Didi and Meituan available for small teams; vans/lorries preferred for production gear.
- Traffic Note: Xiamen’s road system can be congested, especially near tourist spots—factor in buffer time for crew and gear movement.
🌐 Internet & Connectivity
- Internet is stable but international sites (Google, YouTube, Dropbox) are blocked—VPN required.
- If live streaming, test upload speeds at the shoot location in advance.
🤝 How Shoot In China Can Help
If you plan to film in Xiamen, our bilingual team can assist with:
- Local and imported crew from major cities
- Camera, lighting & grip rental
- Fixers, translators, and location permits
- Logistics coordination & production management