Quanzhou

Quanzhou is a city with a long history and profound cultural heritage, renowned as the "Capital of East Asian Culture". As the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, it has left behind a rich legacy of cultural heritage in history.

Upon arrival in Quanzhou, Fujian, we will arrange pick-up service and deliver you to hotel for rest.

Please note that the complimentary airport pickup is offered at a fixed time and available for once, so it is recommended that you communicate with our customer service staff about the specific flights in advance before booking，Transfer at other time will be chargeable. 

Arrangement: Quanzhou- Kaiyuan Temple-Quanzhou West Street -Wudianshi of Jinjiang (aka. Wudianshi Traditional Blocks, Jinjiang)-Xunpu Village

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the World Heritage Site - Kaiyuan Temple, the "Living Architecture Museum" - Quanzhou West Street, the birthplace of Jinjiang's urban area - Wudianshi of Jinjiang, and the fishing village with unique folk culture and architectural style - Xunpu Village.

Kaiyuan Temple

As the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian and a key cultural relic along China's southeast coast, Kaiyuan Temple was first built in 686 AD (Tang Dynasty) and has a history of over 1,300 years. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, its grand architectural complex includes the Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Ganlu Precept Altar, and Scripture Collection Pavilion. The East (Zhenguo Pagoda) and West (Renshou Pagoda) stone towers—China's tallest stone pagodas—exhibit exquisite stone carving art.

Quanzhou West Street

Quanzhou's earliest developed street and district, this 1.5-km-long stretch is known as the "Living Architecture Museum" for preserving numerous original historical buildings. Here, Minnan-style arcade houses, celebrity residences, and Republican-era western-style buildings blend seamlessly, creating a rich historical atmosphere. A food haven, it offers authentic Quanzhou snacks like Yafu spring rolls and Laoji noodle paste, allowing visitors to savor Minnan flavors while strolling.

Wudianshi Traditional Blocks, Jinjiang

Dating back to the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, Wudianshi is the birthplace of Jinjiang's urban core. It preserves 130 buildings from the Ming-Qing dynasties, the Republic of China, and modern eras, including Minnan-style "imperial-style" red-brick structures, Sino-western hybrid mansions, and rammed-earth houses. Known as the "Minnan Red-Brick House Museum," it hosts intangible heritage like Gaojia opera, puppet shows, and Nanyin music. With snack streets and specialty shops, it serves as a cultural landmark linking Fujian-Taiwan compatriots and overseas Chinese.

Xunpu Village

This fishing village is renowned for its unique folk culture and architecture. Its oyster-shell houses—the world's only dwellings built with oyster shells—are naturally insulated for year-round comfort. The Xunpu women, one of Fujian's three fishing female groups, showcase distinct local features with their "flower headdress" hair buns and traditional attire. Preserving traditional fishing village customs, Xunpu allows visitors to experience authentic fisherman life.

Arrangement: Quanzhou - Yunshuiyao Scenic Area-Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster

After breakfast at the hotel, take a ride to the World Heritage-listed Yunshuiyao Scenic Area and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster. Upon arrival, visit the Upper Viewing Platform, Lower Viewing Platform, Yuchang Lou (the Leaning Tower of Fujian), and Taxia Village. Then, check in to a local characteristic guesthouse.

Yunshuiyao Scenic Area

Located in Meilin Town, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, Yunshuiyao is a vital part of the World Heritage-listed Fujian Tulou. Originally named Changjiao Village, it was renamed in 2005 after the film Yunshuiyao was shot here. The ancient town boasts stunning natural scenery: the Changjiao Stream flows northward through the village, nourishing the land with its gentle current. A thousand-year-old cobblestone ancient path winds along the stream, connecting natural wonders and cultural sites. The century-old street beside the path features traditional brick-wood houses, transporting visitors back in time.

Upper Viewing Platform

Known as the "Aerial Living Room" of Tianluokeng, this platform offers the best perspective to overlook the tulou cluster: the square Buyun Lou stands in the center like a soup bowl, surrounded by three round tulou and an oval one resembling four dishes. The staggered tulou blend with terraced fields and bamboo forests, creating a dynamic Hakka landscape as morning mist or evening smoke rises from the gray-tiled roofs.

Lower Viewing Platform

Contrasting with the "birds’view" of the upper platform, this spot presents tulou from a low angle, highlighting their grandeur and the earth’s texture. Layered terraces cradle the tulou cluster, with gray walls undulating with the mountain slope. Eaves tilt gently in the mountain breeze, while a stream winds below and villagers occasionally pass by with shoulder poles—turning time into a slow Minnan ballad.

Yuchang Lou (Leaning Tulou)

With a history of over 700 years, this "Mother of Fujian Tulou" astonishes with its 15-degree tilted columns: the fir pillars in the inner corridor seem precarious, yet they’ve withstood earthquakes and storms for centuries. More remarkable than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, its 22 ancient wells remain crystal clear. Walking through the tulou, touching the tilted wood columns, and watching residents cook in slanting kitchens, an old woman on a rattan chair smiles: "Seven hundred years of tilting, and we live steadier than anyone."

Taxia Village

Hailed as the "Hakka Zhouzhuang," this hidden village has a stream running through it, with ancient bridges connecting white-walled tulou and stilt houses. The "Apron Building" at the village tail follows the mountain slope, and at night, lights flicker like a galaxy falling into the valley. (The "Couple Trees" at the village entrance—a camphor and a maple growing together—are the villagers’ totem of love.)

Arrangement: Nanjing - Zhangzhou Ancient City(90km)- Xiamen(80km)-Jimei School Village

After breakfast at the hotel, take a ride to Zhangzhou Ancient City, a site with a history of over 1,330 years, and then arrive in Xiamen to visit Jimei School Village, founded by the patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Chen Jiageng.

Zhangzhou Ancient Town

As a key component of the Minnan Cultural Ecological Reserve in China, Zhangzhou Ancient Town has a history of more than 1,330 years since its establishment as a prefecture in Tang Dynasty. The ancient city preserves numerous cultural relics, such as Zhangzhou Confucian Temple, stone archways inscribed with "Minister of the Board of Rites and Top Scholar" and "Three-Generation Vice Premier", as well as 7 national intangible cultural heritage projects, including Xiang Opera and Jin Song folk traditions. It completely retains the natural landscape, urban layout, and traditional architectural style from the Tang and Song dy

Jimei School Village

Founded with funds invested by Mr. Chen Jiageng, the patriotic overseas Chinese leader, Jimei School Village features unique architectural styles that blend the essence of traditional Minnan architecture with Western elements. The red bricks and green tiles, together with the "swallow-tail" roof ridges and Roman columns, form the distinctive "Jiageng Style". Strolling through it, visitors can feel the strong cultural atmosphere while admiring the unique architectural art.

Arrangement: Gulangyu Island

After breakfast, take a ride to the pier for Gulangyu, the most beautiful island in Xiamen.

Gulangyu

This beautiful islet, covering only 1.88 square kilometers, boasts numerous titles: the "Garden on the Sea," the "Piano Island," and the "Museum of Global Architecture." With a pleasant climate like spring all year round, over 900 historical buildings remain, together forming a rich urban historical landscape unique to Gulangyu.

Shuzhuang Garden

Completed in 1913, this garden was originally the private estate of Lin Erjia, a wealthy merchant from Taiwan. In 1956, Lin's relatives donated it to the goverment. The garden ingeniously integrates mountain and sea scenery, blending the exquisite courtyard design with the grandeur of the ocean.

Gulangyu's Global Architecture Ensemble

On this islet of less than 2 square kilometers, well-preserved buildings of diverse Chinese and foreign styles coexist, which form a unique architectural panorama, making Gulangyu a veritable palace of architectural art.

Arrangement:  Nanputuo Temple - Xiamen University - Hulishan Fortress - Zhongshan Road

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Xiamen's renowned Nanputuo Buddhist Temple, admire the exterior of Xiamen University (one of China's most beautiful campuses), explore Hulishan Fortress (home to the world's largest existing coastal cannon), and stroll along Zhongshan Road.

Nanputuo Buddhist Temple

Nestled at the foot of Wulaofeng Peak in southeast Xiamen, adjacent to Xiamen University, Nanputuo temple's red walls and glazed-tile roofs blend with towering ancient trees, while solemn halls like the Heavenly Kings Hall and Mahavira Hall house resplendent golden Buddha statues. It houses precious Buddhist relics and art treasures, such as ancient sutras. 

Xiamen University

Hailed as one of China's most beautiful campuses, Xiamen University features unique Sino-Western architectural styles. Historic structures like the Qunxian Building Complex and Jiannan Auditorium showcase red-brick walls and glazed tiles, embodying the university's profound heritage. The shimmering Furong Lake is home to elegant black swans, while the tree-lined lakeside and vibrant student graffiti in Furong Tunnel exude youth and artistic energy.

Hulishan Fortress

Built in 1894 (Guangxu Period of the Qing Dynasty), Hulishan Fortress is known as the "Gateway of Fujian and Key to Southern China." Perched on a hill by the sea, it preserves a well-intact Krupp cannon— the world's largest existing coastal cannon, with a massive bore and long range. This cannon witnessed modern China's coastal defense history. Standing on the fortress, visitors feel the sea breeze, gaze at the blue horizon, and reflect on the fort's role in resisting foreign invasions, embodying its historical significance in coastal defense.

Arrangement:  Botanical Garden - Zengcuo'an - Lujiang Night Cruise

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Xiamen's urban "green oxygen bar" Xiamen Botanical Garden★, the most artistic fishing village transformed from a small hamlet Zengcuo'an, and experience Xiamen's night view from the sea on the Lujiang Night Cruise Ship★

Xiamen Botanical Garden

Known as the urban "green oxygen bar," the garden shines for its tropical rainforest and xerophyte zones. Walking through the Rainforest World, mist-shrouded streams weave with ferns to form a secret haven. The Rose Garden, Palm Island, and other themed areas burst with flowers year-round.

Zengcuo'an (The Most Artistic Fishing Village)

Transformed from a fishing village, Zengcuo'an holds Xiamen's most authentic charm. Free from over-commercialized gloss, it reveals the real Xiamen—stray cats around corners, weathered graffiti on walls, all whispering the warmth of "neighborhood tales."

Lujiang Night Cruise Ship

As night falls, the cruise glides past Gulangyu Island. LED lights outline the global architecture ensemble, while the Shimao Twin Towers' neon reflects on the sea. The Haicang Bridge's traffic becomes a flowing galaxy. Sea breeze on the deck carries the scent of grilled squid, and the container port's dazzling lights witness urban evolution—like stepping into a Hayao Miyazaki animation.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the International Airport as per your flight schedule. Bid farewell to this amazing destination, taking with you memories that will last a lifetime.

Please note that the complimentary airport drop-off from the hotel is offered at a fixed time and available for once, so it is recommended that you communicate with customer service staff about the specific flights in advance before booking, transfer service at other time will be chargeable.