6-Day Fujian Tulou, Xiamen and Xiapu Mudflat Photography Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Xiamen

   Welcome to Xiamen, a fascinating coastal city! Upon your arrival, our Fujian Tulou tour officially starts. A local guide will greet you and transfer you to the hotel with a private car.

   For the rest of the day, explore this city at your own pace.

   

   Free time activities:

   Take a leisurely stroll around Zhongshan Road, the best-known pedestrian street in Xiamen exuding a unique Southeast flavor and a bustling vibe. Appreciate the night view of the arcade buildings. Sample local specialties at the surrounding century-old snack shops and stalls. Don’t miss the Peanut Soup and Satay Noodles.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xiamen
2. Day 2: Nanjing Tulou Exploration
   Marvel at the Round or Square Earthen Buildings

   Nanjing Tulou, namely the earthen buildings in Nanjing, plays an important role in the development of folk residences of Fujian. Today’s highlight is the renowned Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, a sight frequently featured on postcards.

   Looking down from the observation platform, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view consisting of three circular, one square, and one oval buildings. Each corresponds to one of the Five Elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth) in Chinese geomancy.

   The next architectural marvel is the Yuchang Building that dates back over 700 years. What makes it special is the tilted pillars, some of which lean at up to 15 degrees. Though the building looks rickety, it has survived several earthquakes.

   

   To fully immerse yourself in local life, head to Taxia Village, a secluded, non-touristy Hakka village along an S-shaped brook. Many of the earthen buildings there are still inhabited by the villagers. You’ll stay overnight in this village.

   Dinner advice: In Taxia Village, most dishes are cooked with freshly picked vegetables. Be sure to taste the stir-fried bamboo shoots, sweet potato leaves, free-range chicken, small river fish, and taro buns.

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   4-Star Hotel in Taxia
3. Day 3: Yongding Tulou Buildings
   Explore the Prince of Tulou - Zhencheng Building

   Start the day with a half-hour drive to Yongding, another place famous for amazing Tulou clusters.

   Our guide will lead you to visit the Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, reputed as a museum of Hakka earthen buildings.

   Zhencheng Building is the most famous of all, nicknamed the “Prince of Tulou”. Its exterior is a rammed earth structure, while the interior introduces Western decorative elements like Roman-style stone columns and ornate cast-iron railings. Rusheng Building is the smallest yet very exquisite. Kuiju Building is known for its rarely-seen palace style.

   

   Next, pay a visit to the Chuxi Tulou Cluster, arguably the most rustic and primitive of the Hakka earthen building groups. Go upstairs to visit the Jiqing Building, the most time-honored Tulou in Yongding, with an avant-garde design of “one stair, one house”.

   Climb up to the observation deck on the rear mountain and overlook the entire architectural complex. After taking stunning panoramic photos, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel in Xiamen.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xiamen
4. Day 4: Xiamen City Highlights
   Feel Coastal Charm of Xiamen & Picturesque Gulangyu Island

   Our Xiamen seashore adventure kicks off from Huandao Road circling Gulangyu Island. It’s noted for the magnificent coastline and beautiful scenery along the way. Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the seaside to relax your body and soul on the serene island.

   Next, pay a visit to the South Putuo Temple which has a history of over 1,000 years. The Great Compassion Hall inside, taking an octagonal shape, is a representative masterpiece of ancient architecture in Fujian. It’s said that not a single iron nail was used in the construction.

   In the afternoon, take a ferry to Gulangyu Island, known as the “garden on the sea”. Forget all your cares and enjoy the pure tranquility.

   

   At Sunlight Rock, the highest point on the island, command a bird’s-eye view of the red-tiled roofs shining brightly against the azure sky. Take in the elegance of classical gardens at Shuzhuang Garden. Feast your eyes on the many precious antique pianos in the Piano Museum.

   Meanwhile, you can find lots of Minnan-style and 19th-century European-style buildings dotted on the island.

   End the day with a ferry back to downtown Xiamen.

   

   Optional activity: The South Putuo Temple offers delicious vegetarian dishes and cakes. Don’t miss the signature dish “Half Moon Submerged in the River 半月沉江” (a combination of gluten and mushrooms).

   Warm tips:

   • Entrance tickets are required for some attractions such as the Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden. Our guide will be happy to help you with ticket purchasing.
   • Motor vehicles are prohibited on the whole island of Gulangyu. Sightseeing battery carts are available. The terrain is hilly, so be sure to wear comfortable non-slip sneakers.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xiamen
5. Day 5: Xiamen to Xiapu by High-speed Train
   Enjoy the Peaceful Life and Fabulous Scenery in Fishing Villages

   Say goodbye to Xiamen in the morning. Our guide will accompany you on a 3-hour high-speed train to Xiapu. Suggested train number: D3166/08:45-11:20

   Check into a local hotel after arrival. Enjoy a hearty lunch, and take a brief break.

   Set out for our first stop in Xiapu in the afternoon - Xiaohao Village. It’s unique because of the “Five Colored Beach”. When the tide recedes, the sandy beach, after being scoured by water, presents varied complex textures with colorful hues in the sunlight.

   

   Dongbi Village is only a short drive from there. It’s considered an excellent location to watch the sunset. Walking along the plank road, you can catch the beauty of the ever-changing light and shadow on the mudflat, fishermen at work, and golden sunset.

   Return to the hotel in Xiapu after the tour.

   Photography tip: The golden hours for shooting sunset are between 4 and 6 pm. It’s recommended to occupy an advantageous spot one hour in advance.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xiapu
6. Day 6: Departure from Xiapu
   Breathtaking Sunset Scenery in Xiapu Mudflat & Small Villages

   Early in the morning, drive to Beiqi Village to watch the sunrise. It’s truly a paradise for photography lovers. Each year, hundreds of thousands of photographers come here to take photos of the gorgeous mudflat scenery.

   Around 6 am, when the first ray of sunlight falls, the whole beach is dyed golden. The silhouettes of seaweed racks and fishing boats stand out on the sea.

   Then head to Shajiang Village, where you’ll see many S curves composed of rows of bamboo poles covered with dark brown or dark green seaweed. Our guide will lead you to an observation deck on the top floor of a local high school for the best shooting angle.

   

   The last stop is Yantian Village, a natural breeding base for shrimps, clams, oysters, and so on. Mingle with local fishermen to get a glimpse of their daily life and customs.

   Our guide will see you off at the high-speed railway station then. Your 6-day Xiamen Tulou tour has come to a successful end.

   Photography tips: April to June sees the harvest season of seaweed. During this time, the mudflat features mixed textures. October and November are the months for cultivating seaweed. The array of bamboo poles coated by the golden sunset rays are very photogenic.

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