This is a 10-day in-depth trip across three places—Xiamen and Fuzhou in Fujian, and Chaoshan in Guangdong—linking Xiamen’s seaside romance and artistic freshness, Fuzhou’s ancient Min-capital charm and ecological beauty, and Chaoshan’s everyday-food flair and intangible cultural heritage. You will stroll the waves and listen to the wind on Xiamen’s Island Ring Road, and seek the historical echoes of century-old Western-style houses on Gulangyu; in Fuzhou’s Three Lanes and Seven Alleys you will touch the cultural context of the Min capital and take in the city view from the top of Drum Mountain; you will also go deep into Chaoshan, tasting the ultimate flavors of beef balls and beef hotpot in the streets and alleys of Shantou and Chaozhou, and feeling intangible-heritage skills and ancient-city splendor at Guangji Bridge and Paifang Street. From seaside to ancient city, from cuisine to culture, 10 days will let you take in the essence of the three regions and open an unforgettable journey that blends romance, ancient charm, and everyday vitality.
Xiamen is a seaside city of arts, with the romantic Island Ring Road and century-old Gulangyu; Fuzhou is the cradle of Min-capital heritage, where the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys preserve the roots of Min culture; Chaoshan is a homeland of everyday vitality and intangible heritage, where beef hotpot and ancient bridges and old houses showcase its humanistic charm.
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12-seats car
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6-12people
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low intensity
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Xiamen
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autumn
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no
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English, Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, etc.
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3
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65
The 10-day tour of the Xiamen–Fuzhou–Chaoshan region lets you feel Xiamen’s seaside romance and artistic freshness, experience Fuzhou’s ancient Min-capital charm and ecological beauty, and go deep into Chaoshan to appreciate the everyday vibrancy of “eating in Chaoshan” and the allure of intangible cultural heritage. Following this itinerary, you will take in the essence of all three areas within 10 days and leave with a lifelong travel memory!
Morning stroll along Xiamen Island Ring Road, step on the sand and the waves, check in at the afterglow of sunrise at Huangcuo Beach (if you get up early), and feel the comfort of sea breeze interwoven with coconut groves; then go to Zengcuo’an to browse artsy little shops and taste Minnan snacks such as satay noodles and oyster omelet. Afternoon enter Xiamen University, visit Jiannan Auditorium and Furong Tunnel, take photos in front of the graffiti walls, and feel the humanistic atmosphere of a century-old university; toward dusk go to the Gulangyu ferry terminal, take a ferry to the island, have a night tour of Gulangyu, see the tranquil charm of century-old Western houses under the lights, and listen to street musicians’ singing and playing. Evening return to Xiamen Island proper, stroll Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, check in at the arcade buildings, taste specialties such as earthworm jelly and peanut soup, and feel the vitality of Xiamen’s night economy.
Morning tour Gulangyu in depth, visit Shuzhuang Garden to see the “hidden sea” wonder and the elegance of the Forty-Four Bridges; check in at Sunlight Rock, climb to the top to overlook the whole island and Xiamen Island’s skyline; step into the Piano Museum and listen to the melodious tunes of century-old pianos. Afternoon stroll Longtou Road commercial street on Gulangyu, pick up Gulangyu pies, fish-skin peanuts and other souvenirs; then take the ferry back to Xiamen Island proper, go to the Eighth Market old wet market, browse the everyday stalls, see live seafood and various Minnan dried goods, and feel old Xiamen’s everyday vibe. Evening go to Shapowei Art West District, check in at internet-famous walls and creative shops, see exhibitions in art spaces, and experience Xiamen’s artsy, trendy nightlife.
Morning go to Nanputuo Temple, visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Mahavira Hall, eat vegetarian meals in the temple, and feel the serenity of Buddhist culture; then walk to Xiamen Botanical Garden, check in at the mist landscape of the tropical rainforest zone and the exotic plants of the succulent zone, and take Instagram-style photos. Afternoon go to Jimei School Village, visit Ao Garden and the Former Residence of Tan Kah Kee, and learn about Mr. Tan Kah Kee’s patriotic deeds; take Metro Line 1 “sea-view section” from Gaoqi Station to Jimei School Village Station to enjoy the romantic scene of the metro crossing the sea. Evening return to Xiamen Island proper, stroll by Yundang Lake, watch egrets fluttering over the lake, and feel Xiamen’s ecological beauty.
Morning drive from Xiamen to Fuzhou; upon arrival go to Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, stroll Nanhou Street, visit the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, and learn about the national hero’s life deeds; check in at the former residences of Bing Xin, Yan Fu and other celebrities to feel the profound heritage of Min-capital culture. Afternoon enter Fuzhou West Lake Park, browse Wanzai Hall and Kaihua Temple, boat on the lake, and feel the elegance of “Fuzhou classical gardens”; then go to Damian Food Street to taste specialties such as Fuzhou fish balls, meat swallow (yàn) and pot-edge paste. Evening take a night cruise on the Min River, ride a boat to enjoy the light show on both banks, and see landmarks such as Jiefang Bridge and Zhongzhou Island in their brilliant nighttime look.
Morning go to Drum Mountain Scenic Area, take the cable car up the mountain, and overlook the panoramic view of Fuzhou city; visit Yongquan Temple to see the architectural treasures of a millennium-old temple and admire the thousand-year iron tree and the Tang-dynasty scripture pillar in the temple. Afternoon go to Fuzhou National Forest Park, browse the Banyan King Scenic Area to see the wonder of “one tree forming a forest”; enter the Aviary to interact with various birds and feel the vitality of nature. Dusk go to the Shangxiahang Historical and Cultural Block, browse retro shops and cultural-creative stores, see Min-style arcades and ancient bridges over flowing water, and feel the slow life of old Fuzhou; evening taste classic Min cuisine such as Fuzhou lychee meat and drunken spare ribs in the block.
Morning drive from Fuzhou to Chaoshan (Shantou), and upon arrival go to the Small Park arcade district in the old city, browse Tingyuan and retro shops, and feel the characteristics of Chaoshan arcade architecture; then check in at Laomagong to learn about Chaoshan folk belief culture. Afternoon start the Chaoshan food journey, go to Fuping Road and Zhenping Road to taste specialties such as Shantou beef balls (pounded fresh and cooked on the spot), oyster omelet, kueh soup, and rice-free kueh, and feel the charm of “eating in Chaoshan.” Evening go to the Shantou Seaside Promenade, stroll to watch the sea, feel the sea breeze, and take in the nighttime atmosphere of Chaoshan’s seaside city; if time permits, go to Longyan South Road Night Market to continue checking in at various Chaoshan snacks.
Morning go to the Shantou Opening Port Culture Exhibition Hall to learn about Shantou’s opening-port history and overseas-Chinese culture; then visit Laomagong Opera Stage to watch traditional Chaoshan opera performances (such as Chao opera) and feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage. Afternoon go to Nan’ao Island, drive along the Nan’ao Bridge to admire the majestic scenery of the cross-sea bridge and the ocean; after landing on the island, go to Qing’ao Bay to check in at the blue sea and sky of the “Oriental Hawaii,” step on the sand and play in the water, and enjoy seaside time. Evening stay on Nan’ao Island, feast on seafood, watch the seaside sunset and starry sky, and feel the tranquil island night.
Morning continue touring Nan’ao Island, go to Gold and Silver Island to see the island’s strange rocks and legendary stories; check in at the General’s Headquarters to learn about Nan’ao Island’s military history and coastal defense culture. Afternoon return from Nan’ao Island to Shantou city, then drive to Chaozhou; upon arrival go to Guangji Gate Tower to see the ancient city gate and the scenery of the Han River; walk to Guangji Bridge (Xiangzi Bridge), experience the ancient-bridge wonder of “eighteen shuttle boats and twenty-four piers,” and feel the charm of one of China’s four ancient bridges. Evening stroll Chaozhou Paifang Street, see the ancient archway group and arcade shops, taste Chaozhou beef hotpot, duck-mother dumplings, spring rolls and other delicacies; check in at intangible-heritage shops on Paifang Street to see traditional crafts such as Chao embroidery and woodcarving.
Morning go to Kaiyuan Temple, visit the architecture and cultural relics of the Tang-dynasty ancient temple, and feel the solemnity of Buddhist culture; then enter the Chaozhou Museum to learn about Chaozhou’s history, culture and folk customs and see the precious collections. Afternoon start an intangible-heritage experience journey, go to Chaozhou’s intangible-heritage cultural block to experience Chao embroidery (basic stitches) and DIY hand-thrown zhuni teapots, and feel the unique charm of Chaoshan traditional crafts; then go to the Han Yu Memorial Temple to learn about Han Yu’s historical contributions in Chaozhou and feel the cultural impact of “Han Yu governing Chaozhou.” Evening go to the Chaozhou Riverside Promenade to see the night view and light show of Guangji Bridge and feel the nighttime charm of the ancient city of Chaozhou; taste nearby snacks such as Chaozhou fish balls and glutinous rice stuffed in pig intestines.
Morning shop for Chaoshan specialties on Chaozhou Paifang Street (such as Chaozhou tangerines, Phoenix Dancong tea, and gift boxes of Chaoshan beef balls), then drive back to Xiamen. Afternoon upon arriving in Xiamen, if time permits, go to commercial areas near Xiamen Gaoqi Airport / Xiamen Station (such as SM City Plaza) for a final check-in with Xiamen cuisine or to buy souvenirs; then, according to your flight / train time, end this deeply integrated journey of culture and nature through Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Chaoshan.
