I did a 2-week tour in China, in Dec24/Jan25 and I was very pleased with Asia Odyssey. They handled everything very professionally, from the good accommodations to the great tour guides we had. I totally recommend this company for China tours.
Fujian Province, located on the southeastern coast of China, is known for its rich heritage, strikingly diverse landscapes, and historical significance. This storied land hosts an array of UNESCO World Heritage marvels, including three sites celebrated for their cultural significance: Gulangyu Island, remarkable as a historical international settlement; Fujian Tulou, an example of a building tradition and function exemplifying a particular type of communal living; the ancient city of Quanzhou, once a thriving port of the maritime Silk Road; Wuyishan Mountain earns a dual World Natural & Cultural Heritage site. In addition, Xiapu region is a lesser-known gem, often lauded as China's most picturesque coastline. It is a paradise for photographers, ranking among the nation's top 10 photography spots.
Planning your Fujian tour:
A typical Fujian tour takes around 5 days. Start your trip in Xiamen, and spend 1-2 days exploring the city. Then, allocate 1-2 days to visit the Fujian Tulou and another 2 days to explore Wuyishan. If you are passionate about photography, consider spending 2-4 days in Xiapu . If you are more interested in culture and history, plan 1-2 days to visit Quanzhou.
Asia Odyssey Travel offers a variety of Fujian Tours tailored to different interests:
For History and culture enthusiasts, Quanzhou was one of the most significant ports in the world during the Song and Yuan dynasties, serving as a major hub on the Maritime Silk Road.
Architecture enthusiasts will delight in 200 historical structures in different architectural styles of Xiamen's Gulangyu and marvel at the Fujian Tulou, which showcases the distinctive circular and rectangular earthen dwellings of the Hakka community.
Photographers looking for stunning natural landscapes will be drawn to Xiapu, where the complex arrangements of bamboo poles, fishing nets, and the routine of local fishermen offer endlessly captivating scenes.
Nature lovers and tea enthusiasts would likely be drawn to Wuyishan Mountain for its danxia landform, Neo-Confucianism culture, and the famed Da Hong Pao tea plantations.
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Explore the rich cultural tapestry and enchanting landscapes of Fujian Province with our top 6 Fujian tour packages. These packages cater to various durations, ranging from 1 to 7 days. For a quick glimpse of Xiamen City, choose our 1-day tour. If you have more time, spend 2-4 days to discover the highlights of both Xiamen and Fujian Tulou. If you want to include Wuyishan in your itinerary, our 5-day tour is the perfect choice. For photographers, our 7-day tour captures the essence of Fujian, from the historical Tulou to the breathtaking Xiapu mudflat. It offers opportunities to capture stunning sunrises, enchanting sunsets, and the unique lifestyle of the coastal communities.
For photography enthusiasts looking to capture the picturesque landscapes of Fujian, two specialized Fujian Photograph tours are offered: 7-Day Xiamen Tulou Xiapu Photography Tour combines the architectural marvels of the Hakka Tulou with the natural beauty of Xiapu's mudflats, perfect for capturing the region's cultural and scenic diversity. 4-Day Photography Xiapu Mudflat tour focuses solely on Xiapu, this tour is designed for photographers eager to shoot the stunning interplay of light, water, and traditional fishing life over several days. Tailor your trip to your preferences and discover the captivating highlights of Fujian at your own pace!
The Fujian Heritage Tours offer an immersive experience into the rich cultural and natural heritage of Fujian Province including the world architecture exhibition of Gulangyu Island (world cultural heritage site), the unique structures of Fujian Tulou (world cultural heritage site ), the majestic landscapes of Mt. Wuyishan (world natural and cultural heritage site), the historic city of Quanzhou (world cultural heritage site). Each site provides a window into the diverse tapestry of Fujian's history, culture, and natural splendor.
Are you planning your trip to Fujian, China? We understand that organizing a memorable tour can be overwhelming. Fear not! Our extensive collection of Fujian travel resources is here to assist you. Dive into our latest articles covering topics such as itinerary planning, top attractions, things to do, the best time to visit, and frequently asked questions about travel in Fujian. Contact us today to kickstart your tour and uncover the unparalleled beauty of this captivating province. View the complete Fujian Travel Guide now for a comprehensive experience.
Fujian Tulou: A series of large, multi-story earthen buildings constructed for defensive purposes by the Hakka people. They were inscribed as World Heritage Sites in 2008.
Mount Wuyi: Recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and significance in the development of Neo-Confucianism, it was inscribed in 1999 for both its cultural and natural values.
Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China. This site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. It comprises 22 sites in the city of Quanzhou that reflect its history as a maritime emporium during the Song and Yuan dynasties, illustrating the city's intercultural dialogue.
Gulangyu: a Historic International Settlement. This island off the coast of Xiamen was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017. It is known for its blend of different architectural styles and for being an important port of international trade in Fujian Province in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Quanzhou of Fujian province is believed to be named Zaiton due to its pronunciation in Arabic and Persian languages during the medieval period. The name Zaiton is derived from the Arabic word "Zaytun," which means "Erythrina tree." It is said that the city was called Zaiton due to the abundance of Erythrina trees in the region during ancient times. Over time, the name Zaiton evolved into Quanzhou of China as the city's name in Chinese.
Cultural Melting Pot Xiamen's history as a trading port has led to a mix of different cultural influences, including European architecture on Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cultural diversity is evident in the city's art, architecture, and cuisine.
Scenic Coastlines and Natural Beauty The city offers beautiful beaches and scenic coastlines. The island geography of Xiamen itself, with its pleasant climate, makes it a relaxing getaway from the bustle of mainland China.
Rich Historical Heritage From the ancient Nanputuo Temple to the historic Hulishan Fortress, Xiamen has a wealth of historical sites that tell the story of China's maritime history and cultural development.
Lively Urban Atmosphere Despite its historical charm, Xiamen is also a modern, vibrant city. Zhongshan Road, for example, is a bustling pedestrian street with shops, street food, and a lively atmosphere.
Culinary Delights The city is famous for its delicious Fujian cuisine, which is one of the eight great traditions of Chinese cuisine. It's particularly well-known for its seafood dishes and various snacks.
Gateway to Fujian Province Xiamen can be a starting point for exploring the wider Fujian province, discovering the amazing world cultural heritage site of Fujian Tulou, the majestic landscapes of Mt.Wuyishan (world natural and cultural heritage site), the historic city of Quanzhou (world cultural heritage site), or the mesmerizing beauty of Xiapu (photographer's heaven).
Explore the Architecture: Wander around and admire the unique mix of architectural styles from around the world. The island has been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, known as World Architecture Exhibition.
Shuzhuang Garden: Visit the beautifully landscaped Shuzhuang Garden, initially a private villa, but now open to the public.
Sunlight Rock: Climb to the highest point on the island, Sunlight Rock, for panoramic views of Xiamen and the South China Sea.
Piano Museum: Check out the Piano Museum in the Shuzhuang Garden, which showcases a collection of antique pianos from around the world. Gulangyu is known as the "Island of Music".
Beaches: Relax on one of the island’s small beaches. Although they may not be ideal for swimming, they are perfect for a peaceful stroll or a quiet moment by the sea.
Local Cuisine: Sample local snacks and dishes such as seafood, oyster omelet, and the unique peanut soup.
Fujian Tulou refers to a type of traditional Chinese residential building found in the Fujian province of China. These Tulou buildings are large, fortified structures made of earth, wood, and other materials. They were primarily built by the Hakka people, a group of people in southern China known for their unique culture and architecture.
Fujian Tulou can be found in various counties and villages across the Fujian province. They are typically located in Nanjing County and Yongding County which are rural areas, nestled amidst the scenic landscapes of mountains, rivers, and fields. Some well-known Tulou clusters include Chengqi Building, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Hekeng Tulou Cluster, Gaobei Tulou Cluster, and Chuxi Tulou Cluster. These clusters offer visitors the opportunity to explore multiple Tulou buildings and experience the rich cultural heritage of the region.
To plan a Fujian Tulou tour, consider starting from Xiamen, a convenient gateway to the region. Research reputable tour operators or hire a local guide who can assist with transportation, accommodation, and itinerary planning. Be sure to allocate enough time to visit multiple Tulou clusters, explore the surrounding villages, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
You can take 1 Day Nanjing Tulou Tour to explore the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yuchang Building, Taxia Village, and Hekeng Tulou Cluster. You can also take another 1 Day Yongding Tulou Tour to discover the Gaobei Tulou Cluster, Chengqi Building, Qiaofu Building, Chuxi Tulou Cluster, Jiqing Building, and Shanqing Building. You can also take a 2-Day Hakka Tulou Tour to visit both Nanjing Tulou and Yongding Tulou for an in-depth tour according to your time and interests. Sure, if you love Tulou so much you can customize your Tulou tour with more days. Immerse yourself in the history, architecture, and cultural heritage of Fujian Tulou, interact with the locals, and savor the unique experience of this remarkable destination.
Xiapu is known for its stunning mudflats, which are considered some of the most photogenic in China. The area is famous for its picturesque landscapes, fishing villages, traditional fishing practices, and unique tidal patterns.
The must-visit attractions in Wuyishan include the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, which is known for its stunning landscapes and the Nine Bend Stream. Other highlights include the Wuyi Palace, Tianyou Peak, Water Curtain Cave, Jiuqu Stream, and the Dahongpao Tea Plantation.
George
Romania
I did a 2-week tour in China, in Dec24/Jan25 and I was very pleased with Asia Odyssey. They handled everything very professionally, from the good accommodations to the great tour guides we had. I totally recommend this company for China tours.
Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu/Sichuan, Guilin/Yangshuo, YangtzeRiver
Date of Experience: Jan 01, 2025
Tour Customized by: Catherine
You May be Interested in This Tour: Customized Tour
Ilwad
Australia
Tour name: Line B2, 8 days Lhasa-Yamdroktso-Shigaste-Mt.Everest tour.
Key people: Bob (local Tibetan tour guide), Catherine Wang (travel consultant), Mr. Yu. Jian (driver).
This tour was sublime, a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! From the very start, I was met with grace and incredible kindness. The driver assigned to me by the company was Susan and greeted me with a smile on her face, as well as the traditional Tibetan scarf she delicately placed around my neck. She then kindly offered to take some photos of me outside of the airport and offered me some water as we drove to the first accommodation in Lhasa. She then sent me a few locations within the city to explore, for shopping and food and shared her experience of living in the region for over a decade.
The following day we met our tour guide Bob, who to date has been my favourite tour guide. He was nothing short of incredible. Not only did he translate everything from Tibetan to Mandarin and English, making the tour accessible to all of us, but went above and beyond for all of us. Whether it was taking extra photos from awkward angles as the photographer to answering our follow-up questions or even giving us his own recommendations i.e. where to rent the traditional Tibetan clothes or shop for souvenirs. He was incredibly knowledgeable and humble- a true mix of wisdom and personal insight. I found his personal experiences and insight made the tour feel more authentic, especially as he had been doing this since 2009. His great anecdotes and true appreciation of the Tibetan culture, as well as his uplifting attitude and great sense of humour made the trip that much more special. Especially on the days when we were on the road for up to 7 hours, as we began the travel towards Everest Base Camp (EBC).
In terms of the people I met on the tour, it was truly a mixed bag in the best way possible! As I was a 22-year-old solo solo-female traveler you might expect that I would want to be around a similar company. In contrast, I had the best time ever with a wildly different demographic! From middle-aged interracial married couples to retired solo travelers and other solo travelers, my group was made up of people from different neighbouring countries each with their own experiences of travel. As someone who is learning Chinese this was perfect for improving my linguistic skills however most could also speak English so there were no language barriers either.
The people in my group were lovely, kind and interesting characters. Each with open-minds and curiousity about the Tibetan culture. Having people from different walks of life and experiences in my group turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Even with our different backgrounds, we shared laughter, food and stories. I am grateful to have been in the same group as them for those 8 days- it was a true pleasure. Also, the nature of the tour meant that we overlapped with different groups based on both of our itineraries, meaning that we mixed with others for the first few days of the tour. This was a great way to also meet others as some were also staying at the same hotel as us.
The driver Mr. Yu Jian was also incredible. He so kindly brought our luggage in and out of the vehicles and always waited for us patiently in the mornings. Even when we (I) were running late, losing track of the timings and rushing outside with a hastily prepared buffet breakfast to go.
In terms of the tour, my personal highlights were of course seeing EBC and Everest in person, however, the in-betweens were just as remarkable. The 108 zig-zags we had to endure on the way to EBC, the petrol station stops where we’d stretch our legs and interact with the locals (often trying to sell us things) and growing closer and closer to the enchanting Everest. Being able to see the surreal landscape views of Tibet, both in Lhasa and outside, was awe-inducing. As I flew in on 25/03, I was met with the mountainscape being submerged with snow. By the time we made it to EBC, the snow had mostly melted but the rugged mountain view perfectly complemented the seemingly endless holy Yamdrok Lake. It was a nature lover’s paradise through and through, especially with the domesticated and wild animals across the area.
I also thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the locals. They met me with such curiosity, warmth and open-mindedness. I was touched to be perhaps the first black European person they met, and hope that they left our interactions with a new perspective. The first meal I had in Tibet was also sublime (I will put a picture below of the dish and a screenshot of the location I went to, recommended to me by my first driver). There was also a traditional Tibetan musical performance shortly after I had finished my meal, also recommended to me by Susan which began around 8pm!
My favourite monastery we visited was also the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Shigatse, which we visited on our penultimate day in Tibet. We went on a Sunday which meant that not many tourists, if any, were there. Especially the tour took place during the off-season (End of March/Early April). As such it was an immersive experience being able to calmly walk through the monastery. With a history dating back to 1447, I felt like I connected to this the most, with there being living trees on the site that had been first planted over 400 years ago! Even seeing locals re-paint some of the religious paintings and the monks ready to enter for their evening classes gave a sense of serenity. It was a wonderful way to end the trip. Also, I would like to highlight seeing the Yamdrok Lake’s deep shades of turquoise from many angles (extraordinary), trying yak meat for the first time (different and at times tasty), seeing the Karola glacier (even when the rest of the landscape was snowless), seeing monks’ daily debates at Sera Monastery, of course climbing and seeing Polata Palace (tip: bring a 50 RMB note with you to take the famed picture outside Polata Palace- a fellow tour member loaned me his, thanks Yuki!), as well as Jokhang Temple and the Tibetan incense making where the activity leader wrote us, upon our request, a sign in the Tibetan language with anything i.e. our name or quotes. Seeing the stars on the first day of the new moon in the village just outside of Everest was also phenomenal (tip: walk 5-10 minutes in the opposite direction of heading into town to escape the light pollution for a better view, we only stayed out for 15 minutes just around midnight due to fatigue but if you really commit to it and maybe even venture further out and perhaps later on in the night around the new moon phase you will be stunned out what will find in the starry night sky.. hopefully the milky way!).
I would also like to give a warm mention to the hotel workers in the first hotel we stayed in Lhasa as they were incredibly kind to me. They were curious to know what my story was and where I had travelled as well as catering to my needs in the mornings (i.e. morning coffee etc.). Though they won’t see this, the woman working at the Tibetan clothes’ rental who helped me take pictures on my phone and conversed with me was also very kind! Even the shopkeeper who gave me a freebie after I bought some goods from his store was patient with me as I perused through the shops looking for instant noodles. Overall, I was met with such kindness from the very start of the trip until the very end!
Regarding altitude sickness, if you are worried about the high altitude, I bought Diamox , also known as Acetazolamide, (250mg per tablet) and got a prescription from a pharmacist. I took 1 tablet the day before I flew into Lhasa (during my layover in Kunming, Yunnan) and took another tablet for the next two days, waiting 24 hours between each 250mg dose. I adjusted well to the altitude and only took another one when we were heading to higher altitudes (particularly the mountain pass that is higher than EBC and the day of EBC). In total, I took 4 tablets on 4 days (the day before landing in Lhasa, days 1 and 2 of the tour as well as day 4 of the tour). I stopped taking it after EBC day and was fine throughout the trip. The tour will provide you with one free bottle of oxygen, as well as an emergency tank of oxygen in the shuttle bus. For reference I didn’t finish the bottle of oxygen throughout the trip but bought a spare one from the supermarket down the road from the hotel in Lhasa and the quality was great for only a few more RMB (lasted the entire trip). With a lot of water for hydration and taking it easy, alongside deep breaths, I think this tour is accessible to anyone without any underlying health conditions.
Finally, I would like to thank my tour agent Catherine Wang who has supported me throughout this trip! From when I first sent an email back in December 2024 to inquire about this tour until present she has supported me and provided me with updates throughout this process. Although I sent persistent emails (regarding the Shigatse earthquake and permit process/progress update) she always kept me in the loop. Even during the trip she had sent me an email to ask how it was going. Thank you very much for your patience and hard work, this trip has been the trip of a lifetime!
TLDR: I would 1000% recommend this trip and tour. All the little moments and cherished memories I have made will last a lifetime. Thank you to Bob, Mr. Yu Jian, Catherine, Susan, my tour group members and all the others who have made this trip so special. I am beyond grateful.
Destination(s): Tibet
Date of Experience: Oct 07, 2024
Tour Customized by: Catherine
You May be Interested in This Tour: 8 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Shigatse Group Tour with Everest Base Camp
Siew Chor
Australia
Liz was prompt with her helpful response. We appreciate her help.
Destination(s): Beijing
Date of Experience: Oct 07, 2024
Tour Customized by: Liz
You May be Interested in This Tour: 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Forbidden City & Great Wall