Planning for a metro system began in the early 2000s, in the meantime the mostly elevated Xiamen BRT opened in 2008.

The initial phase of construction of the metro system was compiled as the Xiamen Urban Rail Transit Construction Plan (2011–2020) on 24 December 2010 and was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission on 11 May 2012.

[11] Xiamen Urban Rail Transit Group was founded for the purpose of construction and operation.

On 8 October 2016, the National Development and Reform Commission approved phase II of the Xiamen Urban Rail Transit Construction Plan (2016–2022).

The approved phase I metro expansion plan includes three lines (1, 2, 3) with 62 stations, 75.3 kilometres (46.8 mi) in length.

[16] In addition, a regional rail system consisting of two lines (Quanzhou–Xiamen–Zhangzhou and Zhangzhou–Gangwei–Xiamen) and 263 kilometres (163 mi) in length was also approved.

[17][18] Line 1, with 24 stations, 30.3 kilometres (18.83 mi) length, 50 min duration of trip and 20.39 billion yuan cost of construction, was opened on 31 December 2017.

[8] It runs from east to west through Xiamen Island and then through Haicang channel to the mainland.

[29][30] The total length of Line 9 Phase 1 is 30.7 kilometres (19.08 mi) kilometers with 17 stations, and runs completely underground.

[40] A long term plan, Line 10, spanning 40.4 kilometers (25.1 mi) with 31 stations, is proposed to primarily be reconstructed from the Xiamen BRT.

[41] In addition, there are plans to connect the Xiamen Metro with neighboring cities of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou using a new express subway Line R1.