Fifth Timezone Travel
Garden by the Sea & Earth Buildings · Xiamen & Zhangzhou 5-Day Tour
海上花园与土楼 · 厦门漳州 5 日
Explore Gulangyu's international architecture and Sunlight Rock, cycle along Huandao Road, journey into the mountains to see Nanjing's 'Four Dishes and One Soup' Earth Buildings and Yunshuiyao, then return to the city to explore Shipowei and Zhongshan Road's arcade night market—all of mountainous and coastal Minnan in one trip.
A combination of Xiamen, a city of half sea and half greenery, and UNESCO World Heritage Earth Buildings: Day 1 is all about Gulangyu—take a 5-minute ferry to the island, see the red rooftops from Sunlight Rock, listen to the waves at Shuzhuang Garden, and stroll through the international architecture complex; Day 2 features Nanputuo Temple, the exterior of Xiamen University, and a coastal bike ride on Huandao Road; Day 3 involves a 2-hour drive into Nanjing's mountain area to see the Tianluokeng 'Four Dishes and One Soup' Earth Building cluster, the 700-year-old Yuchang Building with its leaning pillars that have never fallen, and the waterwheels and ancient banyan trees of Yunshuiyao Ancient Town; Day 4 includes Zengcuo'an Creative Village, Shipowei Harbor, and Zhongshan Road's arcade night market; and on the final day, sail out on a yacht at Wuyuan Bay or explore the Jiageng-style architecture of Jimei Village.
Includes round-trip transportation to the Earth Buildings and combined tickets, plus 4-star hotels in the city area. Suitable for travelers who enjoy a relaxed pace, architectural photography, and Minnan snacks (such as satay noodles and sea worm jelly).
Tour highlights行程亮点
- Gulangyu Sunlight Rock & International Architecture Complex
- Nanjing Tianluokeng 'Four Dishes and One Soup' Earth Buildings
- Yuchang Building's 700-Year Leaning Pillar Wonder
- Yunshuiyao Ancient Town's Ancient Banyan Trees and Waterwheels
- Coastal Cycling on Huandao Road
- Shipowei & Zhongshan Road Arcade Night Markets
Day-by-day itinerary每日行程
D1Full Day on Gulangyu Island
In the morning, take a 5-minute ferry from Dongdu Cruise Center to the island (tourist tickets require real-name booking, which is included in this tour). Climb to the top of Sunlight Rock for a panoramic view of the island's red roofs and Xiamen's skyline, taking about 1 hour; then enter Shuzhuang Garden through its 'hidden sea' design to see the Forty-Four Bridge and the Piano Museum. For lunch, sample Ye's sticky rice cakes, fish ball soup, and oyster omelette at Longtou Road. In the afternoon, stroll along the international architecture path for about 2 hours: former consulates and overseas Chinese merchants' buildings line up in a row, with San Tang Hall and Bagua Tower being the most photogenic. In the evening, take the ferry back to Xiamen's main island for dinner with satay noodles and sea worm jelly. Practical tips: The entire island tour is on foot, so wear comfortable shoes; during peak season, ferry tickets are tight but we've secured them in advance. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D2Nanputuo Temple · Xiamen University Exterior · Huandao Road Cycling
Morning at Nanputuo Temple: this thousand-year-old temple, backed by Wulao Peak, has continuous incense from the Hall of Heavenly Kings to the Mahavira Hall (one incense stick included), and behind the temple, you can climb Wulao Peak for a sea view, taking about 1.5 hours; next door, take photos of the exterior of Xiamen University's Siming Campus—the Jiageng Building complex and Furong Lake (entry to the university requires advance booking; the tour will arrange exterior viewing or entry based on the day's policy). Lunch at Nanputuo Temple's vegetarian restaurant (a century-old vegetarian eatery). Afternoon cycling on Huandao Road: the 6km dedicated coastal path from Baicheng Beach to Zengcuo'an, accompanied by sea breeze and beaches, takes about 2 hours (bicycle included). In the evening, watch the sunset from the Yanwu Bridge viewing platform. Practical tips: Sun protection for cycling; on the way back in the evening, you can stop to buy souvenirs like egg tarts. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D3Nanjing Earth Buildings Day (Tianluokeng · Yuchang Building · Yunshuiyao)
After breakfast, drive for about 2 hours to Shuoyang Town in Nanjing. Tianluokeng Earth Building cluster: five round and square Earth Buildings built on the mountainside, take a panoramic photo of the 'Four Dishes and One Soup' from the viewing platform, and enter the buildings to see the rammed earth walls and ancestral halls, taking about 1.5 hours; next, visit Yuchang Building—built in the 14th century, its wooden pillars lean east and west at a maximum angle of 15 degrees but have stood for 700 years, truly a wonder of Earth Building architecture; lunch with Hakka cuisine from Earth Buildings (braised pork with preserved vegetables, stuffed tofu). Afternoon at Yunshuiyao Ancient Town: thousand-year-old banyan trees by the stream, old waterwheels, and cobblestone paths, stroll along the stream path for about 1.5 hours, see the Huiyue Built on a marsh. Return to Xiamen in the evening (about 2 hours). Practical tips: Travel between Earth Buildings takes 20-40 minutes; the mountain roads have many curves, so fasten your seatbelt. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D4Zengcuo'an · Shipowei · Zhongshan Road Night Market
Morning at Zengcuo'an Creative Village: alleyway graffiti, craft shops, and cafes, then walk a section of the village's mountain-sea path for a sea view, taking about 2 hours; at noon, visit Shipowei Harbor—an old fishing port transformed into an art district, eat a bowl of taro bun or noodle soup, and browse the art西区 warehouse market alongside old fishing boats and boutiques. Afternoon, return to the hotel for a rest to avoid the sun, then head out again in the evening to explore Zhongshan Pedestrian Street: a 1.2km stretch of Nanyang-style arcade buildings, eat your way through Huang Zhehe peanut soup and Jukou Street snacks; the arcade buildings are at their most lively when lit up at night. Dinner is on your own (the guide will provide a snack map). Practical tips: Be mindful of your belongings in crowded night markets; the light at Shipowei is softest in the evening. Accommodation: Xiamen.
D5Wuyuan Bay Sailing or Jimei Village · Airport Drop-off
After breakfast, depart in the morning for a choice of two options: Option A—sail on a yacht at Wuyuan Bay for about 1 hour, with an instructor onboard explaining the sights; if you're lucky, you might see dolphins up close and enjoy a sea view of Xiamen's skyline and Xiang'an Bridge; Option B—explore Jimei Village to see Jiageng-style red brick architecture and Aoyuan, quietly ponder by the Dragon Boat Pool, with Nanxun Tower being great for photos. After lunch, you'll be dropped off at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport according to your flight schedule (about 25-minute drive). Practical tips: Sailing is subject to sea conditions; on windy days, Option B will be arranged with advance notice; we recommend booking flights after 14:00. Souvenir recommendations include Gulangyu egg tarts, seafood dried goods, and small lacquer thread carvings. Accommodation: None (departing the same evening).
What's included费用包含
- 4 nights in 4-star hotels (Xiamen city)
- Breakfast + 4 lunches (including one Hakka meal at Earth Buildings)
- Round-trip Gulangyu ferry tickets (pre-booked with real-name registration)
- Combined Nanjing Earth Buildings tickets (Tianluokeng/Yuchang Building/Yunshuiyao)
- Huandao Road bicycle rental
- Private guide and private vehicle for the entire trip
- Airport transfers
Photos from the road实拍照片
