5-Day Xiamen City Tour: Gulangyu Island & UNESCO Tulou Cultural Experience

Summary

Day 1 Xiamen Arrival
Day 2 Xiamen: Gulangyu Island
Day 3 Xiamen-Nanjing by Car: Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Taxia Village
Day 4 Nanjing-Xiamen by Car: Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town
Day 5 Xiamen Departure

Day 1 Xiamen Arrival

Upon your arrival in Xiamen, your English-speaking guide will be ready to meet you at the train station, airport, or hotel lobby, holding a sign with “Your Way Holiday” for easy recognition. They will warmly welcome you and accompany you to your hotel, ensuring a hassle-free transfer. After you’ve checked in and settled, your guide will be happy to suggest nearby dining options, shopping districts, or attractions you can visit at your own pace. Whether you prefer sampling local cuisine, enjoying a relaxed walk, or discovering a nearby landmark, your guide will provide helpful tips to make your first day in Xiamen pleasant and effortless.

Day 2 Xiamen

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel or the agreed meeting spot, holding a sign for easy recognition. You’ll then be driven to the ferry terminal to begin your journey to Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its historic buildings, shaded gardens, and relaxed island vibe. The ferry ride itself is a treat, offering open views of Xiamen’s skyline and the vast Taiwan Strait. As you cross the water, your guide will share interesting stories and background about the island, making the short trip a pleasant start to the day.

Once on Gulangyu Island, the first stop will be Shuzhuang Garden. Known for its refined design, the garden combines classical Chinese landscaping with beautiful coastal scenery. Your guide will take you through its pathways, where you’ll find scenic pavilions, curved bridges, and colorful plant life. From vantage points within the garden, you’ll also enjoy panoramic views of the sea. As you explore, your guide will point out the symbolic elements in the garden’s layout and share its connection to the island’s history as a home to wealthy merchants.

Next, you will visit the elegant Hai Tian Tang Gou Mansion, a historic residence that has been converted into a museum. Built by a successful businessman, this mansion’s architecture reflects a rare blend of Eastern and Western styles. Inside, you’ll find well-preserved rooms and artifacts that reveal how affluent families once lived on Gulangyu. Your guide will describe the building’s role in local society and explain how its design mirrors the island’s cosmopolitan heritage. The grounds also offer elevated viewpoints, ideal for taking in the surrounding scenery.

After the morning visits, you’ll enjoy a satisfying lunch at a local restaurant. This is the perfect opportunity to try some signature dishes, such as fresh seafood prepared in the Xiamen style, oyster omelettes, or the famous Shacha noodles. Your guide will help you choose the best options to suit your tastes, ensuring a flavorful and authentic dining experience.

The afternoon will be spent exploring more of Gulangyu’s attractions. You might opt to climb Sunlight Rock, the island’s highest point, for unmatched views of the coastline, or stop by the Gulangyu Organ Museum, which houses an exceptional collection of organs and tells the story of the island’s musical tradition. Alternatively, you can enjoy a relaxed stroll through Gulangyu’s charming alleyways, where colonial-era villas, boutique shops, and small cafés create a timeless atmosphere.

As the day draws to a close, your guide will accompany you back on the ferry to Xiamen. You’ll be returned to your hotel to rest, but if you’d like to spend your evening exploring further, your guide can suggest nearby attractions or local dining spots to complete your memorable day.

Day 3 Xiamen-Nanjing by Car

Your guide will greet you at your hotel in Xiamen and set off with you on a relaxing drive to Nanjing County, the cultural heartland of the Hakka people and home to the world-famous UNESCO-listed Tulou (earthen buildings). Along the 2–3 hour journey, you’ll be treated to scenic views of the countryside: patchwork rice fields, meandering rivers, and gentle green hills rolling into the distance. As the car winds through this peaceful rural landscape, your guide will share stories and background about the origins of the Hakka culture and how the Tulou became such a distinctive architectural symbol. This scenic trip sets a perfect tone for the immersive cultural exploration ahead.

Your first stop will be the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, one of the most iconic and photogenic Tulou sites in all of China. Nestled among terraced fields and forested mountainsides, this remarkable complex is made up of an intriguing mix of round and square multi-family earthen buildings. Walking through the cluster with your guide, you’ll learn how these massive fort-like structures were ingeniously built without nails yet have stood for centuries. Beyond the architecture itself, your guide will explain how the Tulou served as the beating heart of the Hakka community, providing not only shelter and defense but also a strong sense of unity and shared purpose that still resonates today.

After exploring Tianluokeng, your guide will bring you to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a traditional Hakka-style lunch. You’ll have the chance to savor regional specialties such as tender salt-baked chicken, flavorful Hakka stuffed tofu, and farm-fresh stir-fried greens. While you dine, your guide will talk about the roots of Hakka cuisine, known for its hearty flavors and respect for seasonal ingredients, adding an enriching layer to this culinary experience.

Following lunch, you will continue on to Taxia Village, a charming riverside settlement surrounded by rice paddies and mountains. This 300-year-old village is celebrated for its beautifully preserved stone and wood houses that reflect traditional Hakka craftsmanship. As you stroll through its quiet alleys, your guide will point out key architectural features and share stories about the lives of the villagers, past and present. The peaceful scenery and cultural richness of Taxia Village will give you a deep appreciation of the Hakka way of life and their close relationship with the land.

At the end of the day, your guide will escort you to your accommodation in Nanjing County. Once you have checked in and settled comfortably, your guide will go over the plans for the next day, ensuring you are fully ready for the continuation of your Tulou adventure.

Day 4 Nanjing-Xiamen by Car

After checking out from your accommodation in Nanjing County, your guide will join you for a relaxed drive back toward Xiamen, passing through the idyllic countryside of southeastern China. Along the way, you’ll travel past patchwork fields, forested hills, and small rural hamlets where daily life continues at an unhurried pace. Your guide will enrich the drive with fascinating stories about the region’s heritage, local customs, and the landscapes that have shaped the lives of the Hakka people for generations. This scenic 2–3 hour journey offers a wonderful chance to soak up the natural beauty and quiet charm of the area before your next stop.

You will then arrive at Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town, a historic riverside village known for its beautifully preserved Hakka-style buildings and tranquil setting. Walking through its narrow cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time. Your guide will point out centuries-old stone and wooden structures, explaining the unique architectural features that have made the town a living testament to Hakka traditions. Here, history is not just preserved in the buildings—it is reflected in the daily rhythms of the community, where customs and rituals remain an important part of life.

As you explore, you’ll also have the chance to visit the town’s ancient temples and other landmarks. These sacred sites tell the story of the spiritual roots of the Hakka people. Your guide will share the history behind each temple, highlighting their role in local life and the enduring connection between the community and its cultural heritage. Along the riverbanks, you can pause to enjoy the serene atmosphere, admire graceful wooden bridges, and take in the surrounding scenery that makes Yun Shui Yao such a peaceful retreat.

Around midday, you will sit down for a traditional Hakka-style lunch at a nearby restaurant. Specialties might include slow-braised pork with preserved vegetables, freshly caught river fish, or other classic regional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Your guide will explain the background and meaning behind the recipes, allowing you to appreciate the culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations.

After lunch, you’ll have some free time to enjoy the quiet charm of Yun Shui Yao at your own pace. Take a leisurely walk along the river, browse the old streets, or simply sit back and take in the village’s nostalgic beauty. This is the perfect moment to relax, reflect, and capture the atmosphere of a place seemingly untouched by time.

Once your visit concludes, your guide will escort you back to your vehicle for the return drive to Xiamen. During the ride, you can share impressions from the day or ask your guide more about the region’s culture and history, wrapping up your experience in the Hakka heartland with meaningful insights.

Day 5 Xiamen Departure

On your final day, your guide will be waiting for you at the agreed time and place to assist with your departure from Xiamen. Whether your journey continues by plane or train, they will accompany you to the airport or railway station and ensure that everything runs smoothly. From helping with your luggage to offering any last bits of assistance you may need, your guide will make sure the transfer is relaxed and hassle-free, providing a fittingly comfortable end to your trip.

Price Per Person in US Dollars