Fujian Cultural and Scenic Tour
5-Day Xiamen, Tulou and Wuyi Mountain Tour
Take time out for a rich five-day cultural and scenic tour in Fujian. You will see two World Heritage sites - Tianluokeng tulou cluster (Hakka Earthen Building) and Wuyishan Mountain. Enjoy beautiful Gulangyu Island, see the tulou, one of China's communal residence treasures, discover the mysterious and interesting ancient Fujian culture and the Danxia Landform of Wuyishan (Mount Wuyi), and float down Jiuqu Stream (Nine Twists River).
Highlights
- See the Tulou World Cultural Heritage site.
- Visit beautiful Gulangyu Island and Xiamen.
- Have a sea food lunch.
- Hike on Wuyi Mountain, the World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, to learn ancient Fujian culture, and see Danxia Landform around Wuyi Mountains.
- Float down the Nine Twisted River (Jiuqu Stream).
What Our Customers Said
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Fantastic
What an epic day we had with or guide “Ivy” from the tour company “China Highlights” visiting Tianamen Square, Forbidden City, having a local Chinese meal and walking on the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu!! Ivy was informative, personable, fun, caring and delivered a great experience for us. Her guide experience was evident in her management and pace of our day and making sure we went to great picture locations that created lasting memories of our trip!! Highly recommend you asking for Ivy. moreMar 2023, Drew Walker
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Adorable trip to Beijing with China Highlights
Such an amazing time spent together with my husband and our guide Nancy in Beijing. We recommend booking the tour with China Highlights as that was an incredibly smart idea and trip we have had over past few days. Visiting the Great Wall of China, the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven etc., getting more close to the history of China, having the delicious food - that was all done by the CH. We won’t be having such wonderful time without you guys. Still being so amazed and impressed by the historical progress of the country. Much appreciated for your support, help and time, Dear Nancy and China Highlights. Kind Regards, Kenneth&Assel Gillan moreMar 2023, Assel G
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Great Wall Day Trip with Ivy
She answered our questions thoroughly and she also provided us with recommendations for food and things to see outside of our Great Wall day trip. The driver was also a very safe driver and made it a comfortable drive from the city center. We hope to use China Highlights again for future trips. And if you’re in Beijing, you can request for Ivy as your guide. moreFeb 2023, kattaubry
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Great Wall Tour with Ivy
Ivy was a wonderful guide! We took a day trip to the Great Wall and she made our time enjoyable and customized to what we wanted. She was obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about the city. We also avoided tourist traps and she took group photos for us! moreFeb 2023, Customer
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Great Wall Tour with Ivy
We recommend booking with China Highlights! They were able to create a custom trip for us with just a day’s notice. They’re very responsive on WeChat and very professional. moreFeb 2023, Customer
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Fantastic Beijing Tour with Tour Guide - Angela
Had a great time visiting Beijing over Chinese New Year! The city was quiet, but that made it easier to see everything that we wanted to. Our tour guide, Angela, was very knowledgeable and friendly. We found a local brewery, Slow Boat, that we went to twice it was so good. Amazing beer and best burger of my life! We can't wait to book another trip with China Highlights. moreFeb 2023, Kate P
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Beautiful experience in Beijing
The Forbidden City was a highlight of the tour. With Christina's knowledgeable and engaging commentary, we learned about the history of the imperial palace and its role as the center of Chinese politics for over 500 years. The complex is massive, and it was impressive to see the intricate details of the architecture and gardens. moreFeb 2023, Valeria RP
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Amazing 2 day trip to Beijing
Our guide Lily and driver Leo were amazing and super conscious that we were traveling with a toddler. Lily was knowledgeable about all of our stops and was very conscious of our time. She even took special time to relate and connect with our daughter which made the trip even more enjoyable for all of us. moreJan 2023, Jessica T
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Suggested Itinerary
Your knowledgeable guide and driver will meet you outside of the airport or railway station. They will transfer you directly to the hotel in Xiamen. You can have a rest in the hotel or explore on your own. Ask your private guide for tips.
Acommadation
Stay overnight in Xiamen
Days Hotel & Suites Mingfa Xiamen (4-star)
Pan Pacific Xiamen (5-star)
You will spend a whole day discovering Xiamen — the most leisurely city in China — and Gulangyu Island.
Your Xiamen discovery will start with a visit of South Putuo Temple, first built in the Tang Dynasty (618—907). It is famous for its collection of Buddhist cultural relics, such as a Burmese jade carving of the Buddha, and some important Buddhist texts. Climbing up Wulao Peak, you can enjoy a bird's eye-view of Xiamen University and Xiamen Port.
Have a sea food lunch near the Gulangyu Island.
Then you will head to Gulangyu Island. On your way to Gulangyu Island, you will stop off to visit Hulishan Fortress, with architecture mainly integrating the styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and built in 1891. Hulishan Fortress is famous for having both the biggest and smallest cannons in the world. There are many ancient military structures and weapons, such as the emplacement, the barracks, the castle, the trench, double-edged swords, and firelocks.
You will take a 10-minute ferry to the island. Have a leisurely stroll around Gulangyu Island to appreciate old consulates, churches and other European-style buildings, which were built by colonists in the early 20th century. Browse the boutiques to pick up an interesting souvenir, such as a hand-drawn map or a handicraft. You will visit two attractions on the island: Sunlight Rock Park and Shuzhuang Garden and take electromobiles.
Good to know:
- If you want to spend the night on Gulangyu, you can notice your travel advisor.
- During the high season, you may have to wait 10 to 20 minutes to board a ferry.
Acommadation
Days Hotel & Suites Mingfa Xiamen (4-star)
Pan Pacific Xiamen (5-star)
Gulangyu IslandAfter breakfast in Xiamen, you will be transferred to the Tinluokeng tulou in Nanjing County, which takes about three hours. Lunch in Tianluokeng.
Located in Shangban Village, Shuyang Town, Tianluokeng Tulou, composed primarily of four round and one rectangular earthen buildings, is one of the most magnificent and well-preserved Hakka castles. The village is also listed as one of the 'Famous Historic Cultural Villages in China' for its special culture and architecture.
Then, you will head west towards Taxia Village which is a distinctive Hakka village located in the valley of Nanjing County. It was built in 1426 during the Ming Dynasty by the Zhang family, and many famous overseas Chinese people can trace their history to this village. It is listed as one of the 15 most beautiful villages in China.
Hakka people were from the central plain area of China, where is the cradle of Chinese civilization. They value family unity, so Hakka people build their big tulou houses for the whole family living together. They also value Ba Gua which is the most holy culture symbol in ancient China, so Hakka people build tulou based on the complex Ba Gua which guides them in choosing where to build tulou and many other aspects. Ba Gua also affects all Chinese people today on policy, culture, architecture, phylosophy and so on.
After your Tulou clusters discovery, you will be transferred back to Xiamen in order to prepare for the next tour to Wuyi Mountain.
Good to Know: From April to November, you may pick tea in a local tea plantation and may take them home with you. You may also taste the red tea that has already been prepared by the local farmers.
Acommadation
Days Hotel & Suites Mingfa Xiamen (4-star)
Pan Pacific Xiamen (5-star)
Tulou ClustersYour guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the railway station in Xiamen. It takes about 3 hours to get to Wuyishan City by high speed train. From Wuyishan Bei Railway Station to Wuyishan Scenic Area takes about 20 minutes' drive. Ticket price is included. Lunch in Wuyishan.
The scenery around Wuyi Mountain is surprisingly amazing and spectacular. On the first day in Wuyishan, you will visit Tianyou Peak and learn Taoist culture. Wuyishan is an important Taoist resort. Taoism is a Chinese religion which has influenced China for over 1,800 years.
Wuyi Mountain is also the home to Da Hung Pao which is one of Top Ten Famous Tea in China. This high-quality oolong tea enjoys a high reputation, so many visitors to Wuyi Mountain will buy some.
Accommadation
Stay overnight in Wuyishan Scenic Area: Wuyi Mountain Saecy Hotel (4-star)
Wuyi Mountain Yeohwa Resort (5-star) (It is the best hotel on Wuyishan directly facing Tianyou Peak.)
Transportation from Xiamen to Wuyishan
High Speed Train (second class seat) (4-star)
High Speed Train (first class seat) (5-star)
Mount WuyiAfter breakfast, you will take a boat cruise down Jiuqu Stream to view the elegant scenery, consisting of towering mountains, verdant plants, blue skies, and clear water. The Danxia landform by the river is a highlight of Mount Wuyi. Due to many painters and poets having visited Mount Wuyi throughout history for inspiration, there are many inscriptions on Mount Wuyi.
You can see some hanging coffins which enjoys a history of over 3,000 thousand years. Wuyishan hanging coffins are the oldest hanging coffin in China. How they hang on the cliff is still a mystery. Hanging coffin is a representative of ancient Fujian culture.
Song Ancient Street and Wuyi Palace is near the terminal of Jiuqu Stream.
After lunch you will be transferred to Xiamei Ancient Village, which will take you back in time to the Ming (1368–1644) and the Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. Most of the buildings are very well preserved and feature brick, wood, and stone sculptures, and the village is part of the Wuyi World Cultural Heritage site. You will take a walk there.
Your guide will confirm your return trip and escort you to the airport on time. You will be accompanied to find the correct check-in desk and your guide will make sure everything goes smoothly before saying goodbye.
Mount WuyiTrip Notes
2. Customize Your Tour
This tour is very flexible. You can make any changes to the itinerary according to your requirements and interests.
You can choose to take flight after 18:00 from Xiamen to Wuyishan on the third day after visiting Chengqilou. The flight takes about 1 hour. And stay overnight in Wuyishan Scenic Area. In this case, you will have more time to visit Wuyi Mountain the next day.
We are happy to arrange your hotels on Gulangyu Island or in the tulou if you want to stay overnight in those places. Stay overnight in original tulou, you can feel the simple Hakka atmosphere and hospitality of Hakka people. The condition of original tulou accommadation is limited and we can also arrange you star-rated hotel about 20 minute's drive from tulou.
We can also just arrange hotels and flights for you if you have your own plan.
If you want to see a sunrise or sunset, just tell your trip advisor.
3. Recommended Extension Tour
If you are a fan of China's mountains or are fond of ancient villages and natural scenery, a 3-Day Essence of Huangshan Tour is recommended. It only takes about 80 minutes to travel from Wuyishan to Huangshan. You will hike on the Yellow Mountains to see the sunrise, and walk around Hong Village and Tunxi Old Street to see the Hui-style architecture.
4. Options to Enrich the Tour
Chengqilou
Located in Gaobei Village, about five kilometers from the Hongkeng Tulou, Chengqilou is the largest earthen building. It is almost 300 years old and is comprised of four concentric circular buildings. This Tulou has 400 rooms altogether and used to house 80 families, totaling more than 600 people in its prosperous days. The locals call Chengqilou the "Tulou King".
Hongkeng Tulou
In Hongkeng Village, you will see 100 round and square earthen buildings, scattered by the streams and near the mountains. They look like emerging mushrooms or flying saucers, and caused an interesting misconception during the Cold War (1947–1991): Western countries believed that these buildings were China's nuclear missile silos.
Stroll through the village and see the unique, well-kept tulou. Experience the local people's lifestyle and unfold the reasons why the Hakka people built their apartment buildings in this fortress style.
Chuxi Tulou
The Chuxi Tulou in Chuxi Village consist of five round buildings and many square buildings. Three massive round buildings and one square building are situated near the river and are hidden among the deep mountains and lush vegetation like treasure waiting to be discovered. A visit to the local primary school during the school day is also possible.
Yunshuiyao Ancient Village
The old name was Changhai and it is a beautiful village with old houses and 1,000-year-old banyan trees. See the most relaxed lifestyle of the local people and the beautiful scenery. Yunshuiyao Ancient Village was used as the location for a famous Chinese movie called "Yunshuiyao". There are two beautiful earthen buildings in the village. One is called Hegui, which is the tallest earthen building in the Nanjing area; the other one is called Huaiyuan, a round earthen building.
Tour Price
Price includes:
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