Fifth Timezone Travel
Garden on the Sea · Gulangyu & Yunshuiyao 6-Day Journey
海上花园 · 鼓浪屿云水谣 6 日
Spend a full day on Gulangyu, cycle along Huandao Road and explore the artistic Shapowei area, stay overnight in a Tulou guesthouse in Yunshuiyao to see the starry sky, and conclude with Tianluokeng and Yuchanglou—the slow-paced mountain and coastal route of Southern Fujian.
An upgraded version of Xiamen plus Tulou houses: Day 1, arrive in Xiamen and visit Zhongshan Road's arcade night market; Day 2, spend the entire day on Gulangyu—Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, and the international architecture complex; Day 3, Nanputuo Temple, coastal cycling along Huandao Road, and Shapowei Harbor; Day 4, drive to Yunshuiyao Ancient Town in Nanjing, stay in a Tulou guesthouse beside ancient banyan trees and old water wheels, and watch the starry sky over the Tulou at night; Day 5, Tianluokeng 'Four Dishes and a Soup' viewing platform and the leaning Yuchanglou, return to Xiamen in the evening; Day 6, choose between Zengcuo'an or Wuyuan Bay sailing before airport transfer.
Staying one night in a Tulou guesthouse is the highlight of this tour—the World Heritage settlement after tourists depart is a completely different world. The entire trip includes 4-star hotels plus a Tulou特色客栈, private guide with dedicated vehicle, all-inclusive Gulangyu ferry tickets and Tulou combination tickets. Suitable for travelers who enjoy a slow pace, architectural photography, and Southern Fujian snacks.
Tour highlights行程亮点
- Gulangyu Sunlight Rock and International Architecture Complex
- Coastal Cycling Along Huandao Road
- Yunshuiyao Ancient Banyan Trees and Old Water Wheels
- One Night in a Tulou Guesthouse (Night Scenes of World Heritage Settlement)
- Tianluokeng 'Four Dishes and a Soup' Tulou Cluster
- The 700-Year Leaning Wonder of Yuchanglou
Day-by-day itinerary每日行程
D1Arrive in Xiamen · Zhongshan Road
After airport pickup, check into your Xiamen city hotel. In the afternoon, begin at Shapowei Harbor: a fishing port transformed into an art district, enjoy a bowl of Taro Bun or Mianxian糊, and find the art西区's warehouse market framing old fishing boats; in the evening, Zhongshan Pedestrian Street—a 1.2-kilometer stretch of Nanyang arcade architecture, savor Huang Zhe He Peanut Soup and Jukou Street snacks along the way; when the arcades light up, it's Xiamen's most vibrant night scene. Practical Tips: Recommend booking flights arriving before 14:00; night markets are crowded, watch your belongings; early departure for Gulangyu tomorrow, so rest early. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D2Full Day on Gulangyu
Morning, take a 5-minute ferry from Dongdu Cruise Center to the island (tourist tickets with real-name registration are included): ascend Sunlight Rock for panoramic views of the island's red roofs and Xiamen's skyline, enter Shuzhuang Garden's 'Hai' (Sea-hiding) design to see the Forty-Four Bridge and Piano Museum; lunch at Longtou Road trying Ye's Mochi, Fish Ball Soup, and Oyster Omelette. Afternoon, stroll along the international architecture complex for about 2 hours: former consulates and overseas Chinese merchants' villages line up in a row, San Tang Hall and Bagua Tower are the most photogenic; find an old villa café to sit until sunset. Evening, ferry back to the main island, dinner with Sha Cha Noodles and Tussling Worm Jelly. Practical Tips: Wear comfortable shoes for walking all over the island; peak season ferry tickets have been pre-booked. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D3Nanputuo · Huandao Road · Zengcuo'an
Morning, Nanputuo Temple: a thousand-year-old famous temple backed by Wulao Peak, receive an incense stick, then climb Wulao Peak behind the temple for about 1.5 hours to see the sea; next door, snap a photo of Xiamen University's Siming Campus (entry requires reservation and is subject to daily policy). Lunch at Nanputuo Vegetarian Restaurant. Afternoon, cycling along Huandao Road: about 6 kilometers of dedicated coastal path from Baicheng Beach to Zengcuo'an (bicycle included), with sea breeze and beaches along the way; evening, explore alleys in Zengcuo'an文创村 for plenty of Oyster Omelette and Grass Jelly Dessert. Practical Tips: Sun protection for cycling; the sunset view from Yanwu Bridge Viewing Platform is most beautiful in the evening. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D4Yunshuiyao · Overnight in Tulou Guesthouse
After breakfast, drive about 2 hours to Yunshuiyao Ancient Town in Nanjing: ancient banyan trees by the stream, old water wheels, and cobblestone paths, stroll along the stream path for about 2 hours; visit Huiyulou—a square Tulou built on a marshland, jump in the central courtyard and feel the ground tremble slightly; Huaiyuanlou's double-ring round Tulou is the most exquisitely crafted. Evening, check into Yunshuiyao Tulou guesthouse: after tourists leave, the ancient town becomes quiet, and the starry sky with the sound of the stream reveals another side of this World Heritage settlement. Dinner is a Hakka banquet in the Tulou—braised pork with preserved vegetable, stuffed tofu, and glutinous rice wine. Practical Tips: Pack lightly for one night to bring into the Tulou; the guesthouse is a renovated特色民居, prioritizing comfort and cleanliness, bring a light jacket as temperatures drop at night. Accommodation: Yunshuiyao.
D5Tianluokeng · Yuchanglou · Return to Xiamen
Morning, wake up to the sound of roosters and stream for a Hakka breakfast; drive to Tianluokeng Tulou cluster viewing platform: five Tulou buildings—four round and one square—built along the mountainside, overlooking them resembles dishes on a table—the 'Four Dishes and a Soup' is the most iconic image of Fujian Tulou; enter the buildings to see rammed earth walls and ancestral halls. Next, Yuchanglou: a 14th-century architectural wonder with wooden pillars leaning at a 15-degree angle yet standing firm for 700 years; lunch in Shuyang Town with Hakcai cuisine. Evening, drive back to Xiamen (about 2 hours). Practical Tips: Travel between Tulou takes 20-40 minutes on winding mountain roads; the viewing platform offers the best panoramic photo spot. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D6Wuyuan Bay Sailing or Jimei Scholar's Village · Airport Transfer
Morning, choose one option: A Line—sail in Wuyuan Bay for about 1 hour with an instructor on board, get lucky and spot white dolphins, and look back at Xiamen's skyline from the sea; B Line—visit Jimei Scholar's Village to see Tan Kah Kee style red brick architecture and Aoyuan, quietly reflecting by the Dragon Boat Pond. After lunch, transfer to Gaoqi Airport according to your flight time (about 25 minutes). Practical Tips: Sailing is subject to sea conditions; on windy days, B Line will be arranged with advance notice; recommend booking flights after 14:00; recommended souvenirs include Gulangyu pastries, dried seafood, and small lacquer carvings. Accommodation: None (departing tonight).
What's included费用包含
- 5 Nights Accommodation (4-star in Xiamen + 1 Tulou Guesthouse in Yunshuiyao)
- Breakfast + 5 Lunches (including Hakka banquet in Tulou)
- Round-trip Gulangyu Ferry Tickets (booked with real-name registration)
- Nanjing Tulou Combination Tickets (Tianluokeng/Yuchanglou/Yunshuiyao)
- Huandao Road Bicycle Rental
- Private Guide and Dedicated Vehicle Throughout
- Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
Photos from the road实拍照片
