Culinary Delights & Ancient Tales
This 8-day dual city adventure weaves a captivating story of Fujian and Chaoshan's vibrant heritage. It invites you to explore Xiamen's picturesque coastal charm and colonial past, discover Nanjing's uncharted Tulou wonders and Hakka traditions, witness Shantou's bustling port culture and historical confluence, and ultimately appreciate Chaozhou's profound culinary artistry and ancient elegance.
This itinerary is designed to be fully customizable to your needs and interests. Our team is on hand to provide you with personalized support.
Suggested Xiamen & Chaoshan Tour Route
Day | Highlights |
---|---|
1 Xiamen |
South Putuo Temple, Bell and Drum Cableway, Zengcuo'an |
2-3 Shangtou |
Shantou Ancient Town, Chaoshan Yingge Dance, Nan'ao Island |
4-5 Chaozhou |
Xiangzi Bridge, Paifang Street Foodie, Longhu Village |
6-8 Xiamen |
Gulangyu Island, Yunshuiyao Town, Nanjing Tulou |
Xiamen & Chaoshan Adventure

Tour 'Wow' Points
Indulge in Diverse Culinary Pleasures
Taste the deep-rooted culinary heritage of Guangdong in every bite, a regional tradition continuously refined through the ages.


Discover the Uncharted Nanjing
Wander through Yunshuiyao Ancient Town to experience Hakka life and admire the Hekeng Tulou Cluster's ingenious architecture.


Lose Yourself Amidst Idyllic Islands
Tune into the ocean's call as you uncover the fascinating tale of a culture that blossomed and gracefully adapted alongside the endless sea.


Step into the 'Time Capsule'
Let your footsteps guide you into the past, as remarkably preserved historical residences and architecture stand as silent storytellers.


Immerse in a Tapestry of Heritage
Experience the rich traditions through Teochew Opera, string music, and the powerful Yingge Dance.


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

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Amazing and Effortless Experience Overall!
![]() China Highlights is totally legit and they planned our visit in Beijing perfectly, they were also great with being flexible to meet our unique needs and timelines, with multiple changes on the fly. Our guide in Beijing, William, was amazing as well! William was friendly, kind, thoughtful, funny, and also was great at keeping us on track timing-wise (as we didn’t make this particularly easy for him lol). Cannot recommend both China Highlights and William to anyone else looking to visit China for the first time! more
Jun 2025, jamesrkable
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A culture of hospitality and smiles
![]() Beijing was prettier and far less crowded than anticipated. Colin aka Po Po, our guide, enhanced the experience with his knowledge and wicked sense of humour. He made every moment special for us.We spent about three days in Beijing and surrounds. China highlights offerings were high quality, including accomodation, car, driver, guide and selection of real local restaurants. Being vegetarian wasn’t an issue at all. Visiting historical quarter of Beijing along with Hutong walk and Confucius Beijing temple were unique experiences- which became more special with Colin’s interest in philosophy and wonderful global perspective. Despite language barriers- we were greeted by scores of locals with genuine smile and curiosity. We shall be back (hopefully with Colin) to explore this wonderful culture. more
Jun 2025, Inderjeet
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Beijing group tour
![]() We had a group tour for our clients and William was our guide. He was knowledgeable, kind and flexible throughout the tour. Our clients loved the way he explained diverse topics. We would recommend him for our future groups too.Thank you William and God bless! more
Jun 2025, Prima Rodrigues
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
Welcome to Xiamen! Your journey begins with a warm greeting from your knowledgeable tour guide at the airport, followed by a seamless city exploration.
Discover the South Putuo Temple, a renowned Tang Dynasty Buddhist site, famous for its vibrant spiritual life, monastic layout and scenic views.
Experience Xiamen from above on the Bell and Drum Cableway. This smooth, leisurely ride offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city and Gulangyu Island.
Wander Zengcuo'an, a vibrant art and culture hub, evolved from a traditional settlement. Its charming alleys, filled with galleries, cafes, unique guesthouses, and local food, offer a distinct, laid-back experience before heading back to your hotel.
Take a private transfer to the station for your high-speed train to Chaoshan, where a tour guide will be waiting to ensure a smooth exploration of Shantou.
Discover the Chaoshan Historical and Cultural Expo Center to delve into the region's rich heritage, from its history and Teochew dialect to traditional crafts, local cuisine, and Teochew Opera. Inside, witness the vibrant 30-minute Chaoshan Yingge Dance, a dynamic performance with rhythmic hammer strikes staged across the hall.
Uncover the cultural tapestry of Shantou Ancient Town as you wander through the serene Little Garden Park, the venerable Tianhou Palace, and the historically resonant Laoma Palace Stage, admire the Post Office Building's architecture and view the outside of the Opening Port Exhibition Hall.
Experience spectacular panoramic views of the sea and coastline while journeying across the Nan'ao Bridge to Nan'ao Island.
Explore the Zongbingfu, a Ming and Qing military headquarters (now a museum) that highlights the island's strategic coastal defense history.
Explore the 'Gate of Nature' in Tropic of Cancer Square, the only Tropic of Cancer landmark tower on an island in China.
Head to Qing'ao Bay, the 'Oriental Hawaii' of the region. There, you'll delight in walking along its sandy shores, gazing at the immense blue ocean and sky, and letting the cool sea breeze wash over you.
Admire Sancongya Lighthouse, Nan'ao Island's picturesque landmark. Its distinctive red and white design offers breathtaking panoramic ocean views, perfect for photography.
A comfortable drive from your hotel to Chaozhou awaits, during which you'll gain fascinating insights into the region from your guide.
Discover both the Guangji (Xiangzi) Bridge and the Guangji Gate Tower. The bridge itself is known for its clever design, blending stone arches and a movable boat bridge for waterway access, complemented by lively pavilions that provide historical context and beautiful vistas.
Explore Kaiyuan Temple, where centuries of architectural evolution and exquisite Buddhist artistry are on display, featuring intricate carvings and statues within prominent halls such as the Mahavira Hall.
Immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of Chaozhou at Zaiyang Tea House: experience the exquisite Gongfu Cha, the region's time-honored tea ceremony, while being captivated by the vibrant artistry of Teochew Opera, Teochew string music, or Teochew song singing.
Experience the Chaoshan flavors on a Walking Foodie Expedition through the celebrated Paifang Street. Delight in the taste of Spring Rolls, the aromatic Braised Goose, the distinctive Kueh Chee, and the invigorating Orange juice(individual purchases apply), before your relaxing return to your hotel.
Explore Longhu Ancient Village and immerse yourself in Chaoshan's traditional architecture and culture, showcased in its ancient Song-Qing dynasty buildings with elaborate carvings and porcelain paintings.
Head to the train station, board a high-speed train to Xiamen. Your tour guide will be waiting there and will transfer you to the Xiamen hotel.
Embark on an unforgettable one-day tour of Gulangyu Island with your guide.
Take a ferry ride to Gulangyu, then stroll to its picturesque, film-famous "Most Beautiful Corner" for a photo. Afterwards, explore the Gulangyu Organ Art Center—China's largest and only organ museum.
Take a non-stop tram to Shuzhuang Garden, enjoying views of Yanweishan Park, Neicuo'ao Wharf, Gulang Villa, and other attractions along the way.
Explore Shuzhuang Garden, where the sea is cleverly integrated into its design, providing serene views from its winding paths and the renowned Forty-Four Bridge. Afterwards, head to Sunlight Rock for unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of Xiamen city, Gulangyu Island, and the expansive sea.
Stroll over to Longtou Road Snack Street and treat yourself to some delicious local snacks for lunch at your own expense.
Explore Haitiantanggou and discover its beautiful blend of Southern Fujian and Western colonial architecture. It's a serene oasis, offering intricate designs, a glimpse into the island's prosperous past, and traditional South Fujian Puppet Shows before boarding the tram back to the pier.
After a pleasant ferry ride, you'll be transferred to your Xiamen hotel.
Experience a seamless and comfortable one-day trip to the Yunshuiyao and Hekeng Tulou Cluster in Nanjing.
Stroll through Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, a picturesque and tranquil historical settlement where stunning natural beauty meets traditional Hakka life.
Explore Hegui Building, a five-story square tulou that has stood remarkably stable for centuries thanks to ingenious Hakka engineering. Afterwards, discover the nearby Huaiyuan Building, considered the "Most Refined Tulou" for its exquisite craftsmanship, perfect internal symmetry.
Witness the Hekeng Tulou Cluster, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site where 13 tulou (earthen buildings) are uniquely arranged in a "star and crescent moon" or "Big Dipper" pattern before heading back to your Xiamen hotel.
Take advantage of your remaining free time for one more city exploration before your guide and driver pick you up for your flight.
Hotel Selection
—The Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.



Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guide in Xiamen
- Mandarin / Cantonese-speaking local guide in Chaoshan
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- First-class High-speed train tickets listed
- 24/7 helpline while you are traveling
Tour code: cht-gdcs-1