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).

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 2   Xiamen 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:

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.
Acommadation

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

DAY 3   Tianluokeng 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

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

DAY 4   Learn 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)

DAY 5   Float 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.

Jiuqi RiverDanxia Landform Wuyishan
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.