3 Days Private Xiamen City Tour

Today, let’s delve into the UNESCO-listed "Fujian Tulou", remarkable examples of local Hakka earthen buildings. After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a 2-hour drive to Nanjing County. These earthen buildings come mainly in round, oval, or square shapes, among which the round ones are particularly famous for their better ventilation, natural lighting, and 360-degree defensive capabilities - a brilliant architectural philosophy passed down by local ancestors that beautifully balances form and function.

We'll visit the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster. Built into the hillside with breathtaking grandeur, these structures are surrounded by cascading rice terraces. Stepping inside an earthen building feels like entering the bottom of a courtyard, with wooden corridors rising around you. Your guide will accompany you to the hilltop observation deck for a panoramic view: one square building centered among three round and one oval structure, resembling "four dishes and one soup" laid out on a dining table.
► Photo Tips:
1. Observation deck: Capture an aerial shot of the classic "four dishes and one soup" layout, framed by lush terraced fields and forested hills.
2. Inside the building: Shoot from the courtyard looking upward to catch beams of natural light hitting the wooden corridors. A wide-angle lens is perfect for achieving a vintage, artistic vibe.

Next, we'll venture into the mountains to discover the hidden Yuchang Building, a 700-year-old earthen building known as the "Mother of Tulou." This five-story building has a fascinating quirk: the wooden pillars on the second floor and above lean in different directions. Legend has it that the master builder handed the project over to his apprentice starting from the second floor, and the apprentice deliberately designed this tilting structure to show off his skills. Additionally, there's an air of mystery on the fifth floor: it was reserved for the clan's elderly to store their coffins. Folklore says gamblers used to sneak up there and touch the coffins, believing it would bring them good luck and a winning streak. Today, only one coffin remains as a historical relic.

Round off today with a leisurely stroll through the peaceful, unspoiled Taxia Village. A winding stream flows through the heart of the village, creating a natural S-curve that separates the earthen buildings along both banks into a perfectly balanced duality, like an ancient Chinese Tai Chi symbol. At last, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Xiamen.

► If you wish to experience an overnight stay in an earthen building, feel free to contact your travel consultant in advance to customize a suitable arrangement!

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Hubin South Road (4 stars) or Pan Pacific Xiamen (5 stars)

Today, the enchanting Gulangyu Island awaits! After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to board a ferry to the island. With many century-old buildings scattered around, such as consulates, churches, and private villas, it is known as the "Exhibition of International Architecture."

Let’s first tour around Shuzhuang Garden, a private seaside retreat known for its ingenious "sea-concealing" design. It masterfully integrates ocean views through the Forty-Four Bridge and the Twelve Caves, which are a rockery maze tucked away with stone sculptures of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. See if you can find them all! Visit the Piano Museum inside, home to a world-class collection of rare antique pianos. Live performances occur on the hour, when the sound of piano keys blend with the waves, adding a romantic touch to the island. Then, lace up your walking shoes and ascend to the Sunlight Rock, the highest point, for a sweeping view of Xiamen and the island, with red-tiled roofs nestled among lush greenery set against the breathtaking blue sea and sky.

Around noon, your guide will accompany you to Longtou Road and Zhonghua Road for some local flavors. Lunch is on your own. Maybe allow the glutinous rice cakes, fish balls, and oyster omelets to wow your taste buds. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll along Gangzaihou Beach. Bask in the warm sunshine, and if time permits, change into your swimsuit for a swim. You can also enjoy water activities such as yachting and motorboating, available at your own expense. The beach is especially stunning at sunset, when the paradise turns a warm orange hue, followed by the magical blue hour after nightfall. If you’d like to extend your stay for this, please feel free to contact your travel consultant.

Your Xiamen private tour itinerary in 3 days will end here, and your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or high-speed railway station for your departure. Wish you a pleasant journey home!

► To ensure a smooth visit to Gulangyu Island, please arrange your flight or high-speed railway departure after 4:00 pm. And if you'd like to extend your trip to nearby destinations like Quanzhou, Mt. Wuyi, Chaozhou, or Shantou, feel free to contact us to customize an itinerary for you.

Meal: Breakfast