9 Days Fujian Tour to Xiamen, Quanzhou, Wuyi Mountain

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xiamen Arrival

   Welcome to Xiamen! After arriving in this vibrant coastal city (you are suggested to arrive before noon), your driver and tour guide will take you to the South Putuo Temple, a Buddhist temple with a history of over a thousand years. Here, you can admire the beautiful architecture, sculptures, and paintings, and learn about Buddhist culture and traditions.

   

   Later, take a leisurely walk on the Yanwu Bridge and enjoy the stunning views of the sea and the cityscape. The bridge, with a total length of 2.8 kilometers, connects Xiamen University and Huandao Road and is one of the major traffic arteries in Xiamen City.

   Meal: Lunch & Dinner

   Accommodation: Conrad Xiamen

2. Day 2: Gulangyu Tour
   Gulangyu Island, Shuzhuang Garden, Piano Museum

   Gulangyu Island, a must-visit attraction in Xiamen, is a pedestrian-only island that offers a charming mix of colonial architecture, lush gardens, and cultural attractions. Visitors can enjoy European classical architecture, Nanyang style architecture, and modernist architecture here. In addition, Gulangyu is also one of the cradles of Chinese music, where visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional music performances and folk art performances.

   

   Today, you will take a ferry from Xiamen to the island and explore its many sights, including the Shuzhuang Garden, a beautiful seaside garden with a unique blend of Chinese and Western styles, and the Piano Museum, which houses over 70 vintage pianos from different eras and countries.

   Later, check in at a century-old hotel on the island and immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of old Xiamen.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: The Lin's Mansion

   

3. Day 3: Gulangyu - Xiamen - Nanjing
   Sunlight Rock, Haitiantang Building, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster

   In the morning, take a walk to the top of Sunlight Rock, the highest point on Gulangyu Island, with an altitude of 92.7 meters, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Xiamen and the surrounding sea. Afterwards, visit the Haitiantang Building, a cultural landmark that showcases the fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles. Here, you can also enjoy traditional Nanyin music and puppet shows.

   

   In the afternoon, we will drive to Nanjing (about 3 hours) and visit the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of five circular and rectangular earth buildings, built by the Hakka people over 700 years ago. Representing traditional Chinese residential architecture, these Tulou structures are built using natural materials such as rammed earth, wood, and stone, showcasing high historical, cultural, and architectural value. Here, you'll immerse yourself in the rich Hakka cultural atmosphere and gain insights into the lifestyle and traditions of the Hakka people.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Tsingpu Tulou Retreat

   

4. Day 4: Nanjing - Quanzhou
   Yuchang Building, Hegui Building, Chapu Village

   Today, you will explore the traditional Hakka villages and culture in the countryside near Nanjing. Led by your tour guide, visit the Yuchang Building and the Hegui Building, two well-preserved examples of Hakka architecture.

   Yuchang Building, a five-story structure, is known as the oldest and largest round Tulou. The walls of the building are constructed with cedar wood. Its most distinctive feature is the inclined pillars, with the maximum inclination reaching 15 degrees, giving the impression that they might topple with a gust of wind. However, despite experiencing earthquakes and storms over the 600 years since its construction, Yuchang Building remains intact and well-preserved.

   

   Later, drive to Quanzhou, a historic port city that was once the center of the maritime Silk Road. Take a tour of the Chapu Village, a picturesque fishing village that showcases the unique features of southern Fujian architecture, and interact with local families to learn about their daily lives and traditions.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: InterContinetal Quanzhou

5. Day 5: Quanzhou Tour
   Kaiyuan Temple, Quanzhou Maritime Museum

   Quanzhou has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its role as a cosmopolitan trading center in ancient times.

   Today, you will take a guided tour of Kaiyuan Temple, a large Buddhist temple that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and admire its exquisite sculptures, carvings, and architecture. Afterwards, visit the Quanzhou Maritime Museum, which exhibits the city's maritime history and culture, including ship models, navigation instruments, and trading artifacts. Here, you will have a general understanding of the Maritime Silk Road.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: InterContinetal Quanzhou

   

6. Day 6: Quanzhou - Wuyi Mountain
   Mount Wuyi, Academy of Classical Learning, Tianyou Peak

   After breakfast, you will be transferred to take a high-speed train from Quanzhou to Mount Wuyi, a scenic area located in the northwest of Fujian Province, famous for its stunning natural landscapes, cultural sites, and tea culture.

   You will visit the Academy of Classical Learning founded by Zhu Xi, a famous philosopher and educator of the Song Dynasty. The academy is surrounded by picturesque mountains and rivers and offers a glimpse into the traditional Chinese education system. Later, ascend the Tianyou Peak, the highest peak in the area, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Jiuqu Stream and the surrounding peaks

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Dahongpao Resort

   

7. Day 7: Wuyi Mountain Tour
   Dahongpao Scenic Area, Impression Dahongpao

   Today, your guide will take you to explore the Dahongpao Scenic Area, a national 5A-level tourist attraction that is famous for its tea culture, natural scenery, and outdoor activities. You can take a hike through the tea plantations for 1.5 hours and canyons & forests for about 2 hours and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful environment.

   

   Then, take a bamboo raft drifting on the Jiuqu Stream, a scenic river that flows through the mountains and valleys, and admire the stunning rock formations and waterfalls. In the evening, watch the Impression Dahongpao, a popular outdoor performance that showcases the local culture and history through music, dance, and light effects.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Dahongpao Resort

   

8. Day 8: Wuyi Mountain - Fuzhou
   Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Lin Zexu Memorial Hall

   After breakfast, we will take a 1.5-hour ride to Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province, known for its rich history, culture, and food.

   Upon arrival, your guide will take you to visit the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a historic neighborhood that shows the traditional architecture, culture, and lifestyle of Fuzhou. You can stroll through the narrow lanes and alleys, admire the well-preserved old buildings, and taste the local snacks and delicacies.

   Later, visit the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, a museum that honors Lin Zexu, a famous statesman and scholar who played a crucial role in the fight against opium in China during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). Here, you can also take a look at the traditional classical gardens of Fuzhou.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort

   

9. Day 9: Fuzhou Departure

   Enjoy your leisure time in the morning. You can take this opportunity to shop for souvenirs or try some last-minute local specialties before saying goodbye to Fujian. Then, you will be escorted to Fuzhou Changle International Airport for your departure flight. Your 9-day Fujian tour ends here.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A