3-Day Xiamen, Gulangyu, and Tulou Relaxed Tour

This three-day relaxing tour provides an opportunity to see the best sights in and near Xiamen in the shortest amount of time from major cities. Go to Hongkeng tulou clusters to see the earthen buildings and lifestyle of local residents and learn about the tulou culture. Walk around Gulangyu Island to see some nice beaches, European architectural heritages, such as old consulates and churches, and lots of quaint shops. This tour is good for busy people to enjoy a relaxed weekend. See the map guide of transport from China major cities to Xiamen in the Trip Notes below.

Highlights
Visit the World Cultural Heritage earthen building site.
Explore the Garden City of Xiamen.
Wander on Gulangyu to see European architecture, such as various old consulates and churches.
Have a seafood lunch.

DAY 1  Xiamen 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 2  Hongkeng Tulou Tour
At about 8am, you will be transferred to the Hongkeng Tulou Cluster in Yongding County, escorted by your guide and driver. It takes about three hours. Lunch in Hongkeng.

The Hongkeng Tulou is the most concentrated of all tulou clusters. There you can see about 100 buildings that are round or square. Your guide will explain the reasons why the Hakka people built their apartment buildings like a large fortress. You will also discover the history of the immigration of the Hakka people. It is interesting to know that due to their unique shape like an emerging mushroom, or of a flying saucer, these buildings were even believed by western countries to be China’s nuclear reactors in the Cold War (1947–1991).

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 the tulou tour, you will be transferred back to Xiamen.

Acommadation

Stay overnight in Xiamen: Days Hotel & Suites Mingfa Xiamen (4-star) / Pan Pacific Xiamen (5-star)

DAY 3  Relax on Gulangyu Island and in Xiamen, and Xiamen Departure
Your Xiamen discovery will start with a visit to the South Putuo Temple, a 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 Buddha and some important Buddhist texts. Climbing up to the Wulao Peak, you can enjoy the bird’s-eye view of Xiamen University and Xiamen Port.

Then, you will head to Gulangyu Island. On your way there, you will stop off to visit the Hulishan Fortress and admire the architecture that mainly integrated the styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties when it was built in 1891. The Hulishan Fortress is famous for having both the biggest and smallest cannons in the world. There are many ancient military facilities and weapons, such as the emplacements, the barracks, the castle, the trenches, double-edged swords, and firelocks.

Have a sea food lunch. Gulangyu Island is filled with colonial architecture. You will take a 10 minutes ferry to the island. It is the trump card of Xiamen and renowned for its beaches, charming colonial buildings, such as various old consulates and churches, and narrow alleys with great snack foods to savor while looking over the sea. All the local deliveries are transported by hand-pulled carts which is a unique sight in China because cars are not allowed on the island. You will visit two attractions on the island: Sunlight Rock Park and Shuzhuang Garden and take electromobiles.

Then, 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 that everything goes smoothly before saying goodbye.

Good to know:

1. If you want to spend the night on Gulangyu, you can notice your travel advisor.
2. During the high season, you may have to wait 10 to 20 minutes to board a ferry.