Top 10 China tours 2024/2025 for first visits and returns: embark on a lifetime experience. Learn more
5-Day Fujian Cultural and Scenic Tour

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).

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1Xiamen Arrival

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)

Day 2Xiamen and Gulangyu Tour

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 Island Gulangyu Island
Day 3Tianluokeng Tulou Clusters and Ancient Taxia Village Tour

After 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 Clusters Tulou Clusters
Day 4Learn Taoism and Ancient Fujian Culture, and Appreciate Danxia Landform

Your 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 Wuyi Mount Wuyi
Day 5Float Down Jiuqu Stream, Visit Xiamei Ancient Village and Wuyishan Departure

After 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 Wuyi Mount Wuyi

Trip 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

FromUS1,139 p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

  • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
  • English speaking local guide
  • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

Number in your group

What's your hotel choice?

I prefer to be contacted via:

Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create Your Trip

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Save Your Time

Save Your Time

  • Less research, more enjoyment!
  • Real-time 1V1 expert planning.
  • Seamless coordination
Maximize Your Flexibility

Maximize Your Flexibility

  • Your own personal guide and ride.
  • Explore at your own pace.
  • Unparalleled flexibility, impossible on a group tour.
Ensure Your Satisfaction

Ensure Your Satisfaction

  • Well-trained elite 20% of guides.
  • 20% vacancy on vehicles.
  • 24/7 emergency support.
Live Your China Story

Live Your China Story

  • Authentic local culture and lifestyles.
  • Understand the culture by living it.
  • Uncover fascinating histories and witness New China.
Rated 5 out of 5 | 98.8% Excellence
China Highlights International
Travel Service Co., LTD
Featured on
China Highlights was featured on these medias.

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China