From Taiwan to China by Ferry
It is already December, and once again, I reflect on everything I missed in 2025. For example, this year, I did not travel to China again, which made me think about my trip around two years ago. After all, it is so close to Kinmen Island.
Kinmen is a Taiwanese island located next to Xiamen in China, and the ferry crossing the border takes approximately 30 minutes. But there are travelers out there who want to go not just from China to Kinmen, but from China to Taiwan. So, let us go on that journey!
If you want to know why an island right next to China is part of Taiwan, read my article about why Kinmen is part of Taiwan. I even made a video about the history of Kinmen. And check out my page about traveling in Taiwan for more general information.
Crossing the Border from China to Taiwan: A Quick Ride from Xiamen to Kinmen
The border crossing from Taiwan to China and back was quite simple. I have only done it once, traveling from Kinmen to Xiamen and back, without any issues. I documented the whole experience in a video.
As a German citizen, I did not need a visa for either China or Taiwan. Of course, depending on your passport, different visa rules may apply. Otherwise, I simply bought tickets at the port in both Kinmen and Xiamen.
In the video, you can see that I was excited, though the trip itself was no big deal. Not so long ago, I would have needed a visa to enter China, so I am pretty happy I can travel visa-free now.
However, there is a catch. You need to come to Kinmen. Or you could take the similar way from Matsu. But how to reach these small islands?
Ferries from China and Kinmen to Taiwan
Kinmen is by far the quickest way to enter Taiwanese territory from China. I strongly recommend flying from Kinmen to the Taiwanese mainland. However, I do understand that some purists want to avoid planes at all costs. Well, there is good news for you: ferries do exist! But there is a catch.
First of all, I have to warn you about the information you find online, including this blog post. Ferry schedules and regulations are subject to frequent changes. But the real catch is that taking a ferry is inconvenient to book and ride.
I know for a fact that there is a ferry from Kinmen to Taichung, but it is not open to tourists. Although I could not find any information online, the ferry does exist. It runs frequently, and the people of Kinmen use it to transport cargo. I also know a few locals who have taken the ferry as passengers, but obtaining a ticket as a tourist is difficult.
There are no online sales. You have to buy the ticket on Kinmen Island, and there is no guarantee you will get a seat. It is really just a cargo ferry. Also, note that on-board, the facilities are basic. I have spoken with people who used the ferry, and they all swore they would never do it again. It is just too cumbersome.
I also did see reports about another ferry going from Xiamen in China to Keelung in Taiwan online. But when I asked at the harbor in Kinmen, the port authorities were not sure if it was open to passengers. I suspect taking that ferry would be even more complicated. Not only because of the ticket issue but also due to the international border crossing.
So, despite what some online sources say, I do not think tourists can take a ferry directly from Xiamen to Keelung. Of course, I could be wrong. Feel free to reach out to me if you know more.
Going from China to Taiwan by Boat? Share Your Story!
I hope to have more time in 2026 to explore China and Kinmen. In 2025, I was short on travel time, but I did not travel much within Taiwan. For example, I did not speak about the ferry connection via the Matsu Islands. You can also travel to Taiwan from China through Matsu. I had planned a trip in 2024, but it was canceled due to a typhoon.
I will come back to that, so let us see what adventures 2026 has in store for us!
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[…] want to talk about alternative places to visit in Taiwan: The tunnels of Kinmen. The island next to Xiamen in China is already not the most common tourist destination for foreign […]