Xiamen Essence and Tulou Combination
This 3-day tour combines the essential attractions in Xiamen with the World Heritage Site — the Fujian Tulou. We have selected three tulou clusters, which are the essence of the Fujian Tulou and help you avoid the commercial sites and tourist crowds. In this way, you can experience the authentic lifestyle and culture of the Hakka and Minnan people. You can not only appreciate the unique architecture but also feel the spirit of the Hakka people condensed in the buildings.
Tour Highlights
Wander around the romantic Gulangyu Island

Be amazed by a "missile weapon base", Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster

Find Mulan's "hometown" from the movie

Experience picking and processing tea leaves like a Hakka tea farmer.

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7 day Beijing trip with China Highlights
![]() We were in Beijing for 7 days and went to the Great Wall, Gubei Watertown, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, Confucius Temple, Ming and Qing Tombs. Also went to watch the Acrobatic Show and the Golden Mask Show. The views are fantastic and the shows are amazing. Our tour guide, Colin, from China Highlights was awesome. He planned our itinerary flawlessly and took us to restaurants that served great authentic local food. Colin is very caring of my elderly mother and provided superb service. Thank you, Colin, for making my trip memorable. more
Mar 2025, Adrene
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Best tour guide ever
![]() Extremely delighted with my Beijing tours. I was so fortunate to get Mark as my guide. and Hang to patiently drive us everywhere.Mark is extremely knowledgeable. witty and caring. Hang is sweet and mindful of my age. I am also grateful to Leaky of China highlights for planning an incredible itinerary for me. more
Mar 2025, Pope Kavita Michelle
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A day in Beijing with Jiang
![]() We had a day trip to visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Our guide Jiang organised all our transportation, ticketing and food needs, such that we did not have to worry about a thing. Jiang also spoke fluent English and was passionate about sharing the history behind the Great Wall and Forbidden City which we explored for 3 hours each on foot. more
Mar 2025, Bryan
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Suggested Itinerary
After your flight lands at the airport, your tour guide will wait for you with a welcoming smile at the arrival hall. Transfer to your hotel by a private car and driver. The rest of the day is for you to acclimatize and explore the city, or relax and recoup ready for the tour tomorrow.
Hotel options:
Ramada Hotel Xiamen
Pan Pacific Xiamen
Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster
Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster will be the first attraction you visit. It is composed of four round earthen buildings and a square one. It is one of the most magnificent and well-preserved Hakka fortresses. Your guide will give you detailed information about who built these earthen buildings, how they were built, and their advantages. We will drive you to a high vantage point so that you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the cluster.
Yuchang Earthen Building
Yuchang Earthen Building is a skewed building. It is one of the oldest existing tulou. This five-story earth building is most famous for its tilted pillars. The most extreme one is slanted at a 15-degree angle. There are five highlights in this building for you to discover. Let your guide uncover its secrets for you.
Hekeng Tulou Cluster
Hekeng Tulou Cluster is one of the six tulou clusters belonging to the World Heritage Site, the Fujian Tulou. It is an authentic and less touristy Hakka village full of earthen buildings in different shapes. It is Mulan's "hometown" in the movie Mulan. You will see the real earthen building where Mulan is depicted as living in the movie. The Hakka people are happy to invite you into the living room of their earthen building and show you the upstairs floor. This might not be available in other tulou clusters. Have a cup of local tea and listen to the stories about their families. It is a great chance to get close to the Hakka people's lifestyle and culture.
Taxia Village and Tea Plantation Experience
Taxia Village is a distinctive Hakka village located in a valley in Nanjing County. It was built by the Zhang family about 600 years ago and many famous overseas Chinese people can trace their history back to this village. From April to November, you can pick tea leaves at a local tea plantation just like a local Hakka tea farmer and learn to process the tea leaves. You can take the tea you make back home with you. You can also taste some black tea that has already been prepared by the local farmers.
Hotel options:
Nanjing Qingdelou Inn (original tulou with a private toilet)
Hongkeng Tulou Cluster
Hongkeng Tulou Cluster includes most kinds of earthen buildings. There are about 100 earthen buildings of various sizes and styles in the long and narrow village. Besides the rectangular and round-shaped tulous, you will also see the palace and villa styles as well as the smallest round-shaped tulou.
After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport or train station. Your private guide will make sure that everything goes smoothly before saying goodbye.
Trip Notes
1. About the Hotel in Nanjing
We have selected the best-value hotel in an original tulou for you to have a unique experience of staying in an earthen building. The facilities in the original tulou accommodation are limited. They are not as good as the facilities found in accommodation in the city. There is, however, a private bathroom and air-conditioning in the room. If you would like to upgrade to a boutique hotel in Nanjing, please let your travel advisor know.
2. About an Ancestor's House or Visiting Relatives
We know that some of our customers have a Hakka or Minnan origin. If you would like to find your ancestor's house or look for your relatives, we are happy to use our relationship with the local association of the family clans to help you.
3. Tailor-Make Your Tour
This is a suggested itinerary. It can be customized according to your interests and needs. Let your travel advisor know what you prefer to do and he/she will make a unique trip for you.
Price includes: