7 Days Fujian Chaoshan Family Tree Tour

Welcome to Xiamen in Fujian Province!

Upon arrival, your AOT guide will escort you to your hotel in Xiamen in a comfortable, private vehicle. The rest day in Xiamen is free on your own to relax yourself. You can shake off the jet lag with a leisurely neighborhood stroll or enjoy a quiet family dinner to rest up for the days ahead.

To ensure a seamless and comfortable Fujian Chaoshan Tour, the first two days are designed with a balanced pace, allowing you to settle in before the journey intensifies. Relax yourself first!

Optional Xiamen City Walk Tour (Free Time on Your Own):

• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Feature: Savor the old Xiamen flavor
• Route details: Zhongshan Park – Baijia Village – Xi'an Road Flower and Bird Market – Huaxin Road

This immersive walking route begins at Zhongshan Park (中山公园), a century-old sanctuary featuring traditional Minnan landscaping and banyan-shaded paths that offer a tranquil escape from the urban hustle. Then venture into Baijia Village (百家村), a living time capsule of Xiamen’s past. Here, you’ll wander through vintage alleyways decorated with creative murals and discover hidden gem dessert shops serving authentic local treats like peanut soup and grass jelly.

The sensory journey continues at the Xi'an Road Flower and Bird Market (溪岸路花鸟市场), the city’s largest and most vibrant wet market for flora, where the air is filled with the scent of fresh blooms and the lively chatter of local life—a perfect spot for candid photography. Finally, you reach Huaxin Road (华新路), an elegant cluster of red-brick heritage villas and boutique coffee houses.

Today after breakfast, a short ferry ride whisks you away to Gulanyu Island. After a delighted island tour, head back to Zhongshan Road and Eighth Seafood Market (2h) on Xiamen coastline. Then end your day with a tranquil drive along Huandao Road.

Gulangyu, also known as Kulangsu, is a serene island off the coast of Xiamen that earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017. Spanning less than two square kilometers, this "Garden on the Sea" is home to over 900 historic buildings, earning it the nickname International Architecture Exhibition.

When visiting Gulangyu Island, you have two distinct routes to choose from.

(1) Cultural and Historical Architecture Route: visit the architecture representing various styles and listen to the historical stories behind old buildings.

(2) Leisure and Entertainment Route: enjoy a leisurely time on the island, without being bound by fixed routes. Customize your experience based on your preferences and pace.

Gulangyu Island Visiting Route (1): Cultural and Historical Architecture

• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Scenic Spots You will Pass:

Sanqiutian Ferry Terminal → Boat House → Bagua Building (Organ Museum) → Yang Family Mansion → Fànpó Mansion → Trinity Church → Jingua Building ( Huang Cimin Villa ) → Dafu Courtyard Mansion→ Four-courtyard Complex → Chu Family Villa → Huang Family Villa Complex → Shuzhuang Garden (Piano Museum) → Hi Heaven → Huang Rongyuan Mansion ( China Records Museum) → Cathedral Church → Get back to Sanqiutian Ferry Terminal

Starting from Sanqiutian Ferry Terminal, you can marvel at the cruise-ship-shaped Boat House and the landmark Bagua Building, which now houses China’s only Organ Museum. The path leads you through the Versailles of Gulangyu at the Yang Family Mansion and the Rococo-style Fan Po Mansion.

You will also discover the golden domes of the Jingua Building and the exquisite red-brick Four-courtyard Complex, a masterpiece of traditional Minnan architecture. The highlight is Shuzhuang Garden, where ingenious design hides the sea until the perfect moment, paired with a visit to the Piano Museum’s collection of rare antique instruments.

Gulangyu Island Visiting Route (2): Leisure and Entertainment

• Duration: 3-4 hours

If you prefer a more flexible pace, the Leisure and Entertainment Route allows you to explore the island’s hidden charms without a fixed schedule. You can wander through the quiet, shaded alleys of Bishan Road to hear local anecdotes or find a secluded villa to enjoy a coffee away from the crowds.

For those seeking active sights, a climb up Sunlight Rock provides panoramic views, while nature lovers can soak up the sun at Meihua Beach. Whether you are visiting the Imperial Palace Foreign Cultural Relics Museum or sampling authentic snacks on Longtou Road, this route focuses on soaking in the local atmosphere at your own speed.

After Gulangyu Island Tour, head back to Xiamen mainland, the experience continues with a stroll along Zhongshan Pedestrian Street, the only shopping road in China that leads directly to the sea. The street is lined with historic Qilou buildings, featuring South-East Asian style and intricate Western carvings built by returning overseas Chinese in the 1920s.

For a taste of local life, explore the nearby alleys for authentic Shacha Noodles and Oyster Omelettes, or visit the bustling Eighth Market for the city’s freshest seafood. To end your journey, enjoy a tranquil drive along the scenic Huandao Road, stopping at sandy shores like Baicheng Beach to savor the sea breeze before returning to your hotel.

This morning after breakfast, drive for 2 hours around to Yongding Tulou cluster.

Yongding is home to a staggering 23,000 Tulou buildings, surpassing all other regions in scale and architectural diversity. These massive earthen fortresses were built by the Hakka people as communal homes for entire clans, designed with a single entrance and ingenious defense systems—such as roof-mounted water troughs to combat fire—allowing residents to survive sieges for months. Beyond their practical use, the circular and square designs reflect Chinese philosophical ideals of unity and the harmony between humanity and the world.

Your morning begins at the Gaobei Tulou Cluster, home to the legendary Chengqi Building. Known as the King of Tulou, this massive structure spans 73 meters in diameter and features four concentric rings that house everything from bedrooms and kitchens to a private school and ancestral hall. Its fame has reached global heights, appearing on Chinese postage stamps and serving as the inspiration for Chun’s home in the film Big Fish & Begonia.

Nearby, you can explore the Qiaofu Building, nicknamed the Doctor’s Building for its academic legacy and unique Roman-style columns, as well as the nail-less wooden architecture of the square Shize Building and the 600-year-old Wuyun Building.

In the afternoon, the journey continues to the Chuxi Tulou Cluster, widely regarded as the most pristine and picturesque group in China. Set against a backdrop of terraced fields and the Chuxi River, this cluster remains largely untouched by commercialism.

From the hillside viewing platform, you can witness a breathtaking panorama of five circular and 31 square Tulou. All buildings here share the character Qing in their names, symbolizing prosperity, and the village offers a unique contrast between the oldest and youngest structures in the region.

The highlight of Chuxi is the Jiqing Building, a 600-year-old masterpiece that serves as a Hakka Folk Customs Museum. Unlike other Tulou, it features a unique layout with 72 independent staircases—one for each household—rather than the usual four public ones. Since the building is currently unoccupied, you can freely explore its four floors to learn about Tulou construction, Hakka surnames, and local artistry.

Before leaving, visit the Shanqing Building, whose distinctive white lime-washed walls and granite-paved courtyards offer a modern, vibrant contrast to the traditional earthy tones of the ancient Hakka world.

After the Fujian Tulou tour, a 1.5-hour drive brings you to Qiaoxi Ancient Village, a Ming-dynasty sanctuary established over 400 years ago in a secluded mountain valley. This hidden gem preserves 16 traditional Hakka residential buildings that serve as a spiritual anchor, awakening the Hakka Memory through their architectural grandeur.

As you wander along the ancient cobblestone paths and weathered wooden boardwalks, the village reveals the glory of early overseas entrepreneurs. Their devotion to their roots is etched into the very fabric of the mansions, where traditional grey tiles meet vibrant stained-glass windows brought back from Southeast Asia. The highlight of this pilgrimage is the magnificent Jishan Hall (Jishan Lou), where you can witness the pinnacle of Hakka craftsmanship and the enduring legacy of a clan’s prosperity amidst the whispers of the mountain stream.

Optional Yannanfei Tea Field Tour:

If you wish to embrace the local lifestyle further, we can visit the nearby Yannanfei Tea Field. Here, you can experience the art of tea-picking amidst the rolling hills and savor the signature Hakka Tea-Scented Chicken—a local delicacy where the fragrance of green tea infuses the tender poultry.

Later, be driven to Meizhou City downtown. Stay overnight here.

Today after breakfast, you will have a full day further exploration in Meizhou - The Hakka Kingdom, and then drive for about 2.5 hours to Shantou.

Meizhou, often hailed as the Hakka Capital of the World, is a serene city where time seems to slow down. It serves as the spiritual home for millions of Hakka people globally, preserving the most authentic customs, architecture, and nostalgic soul of this unique migratory group. We’ve explored Qiaoxi Ancient Village in Meizhou yesterday. Today, you will move on to immerse yourself in more profound heritages of Meizhou before heading to Chaoshan.

First, a short drive takes you to The Hakka Museum in Meizhou downtown. This museum is the only comprehensive museum in China dedicated specifically to Hakka culture and history. The exhibits offer an immersive, 360-degree look into the Hakka soul—covering everything from their distinctive dialects and folk songs to the intricate details of their daily life, traditional attire, and culinary heritage.

There is also a full-scale (1:1 ratio) replica of a Hakka Weilong House, allowing you to walk through and experience the ingenious spatial layout and communal spirit of these Oriental fortresses before visiting a real one.

Later, a 1.5-hour drive brings you to Pananwei, a quintessential Hakka Weilong House (Dragon-Enclosing House). This architectural marvel is a physical manifestation of a survival odyssey. To escape centuries of large-scale warfare and upheaval in Central China, the Hakka ancestors migrated south, eventually rooting themselves in these mountains.

Here, you can observe the half-moon pond at the front and the rising dragon slope at the back, a design intended to circulate energy and foster familial prosperity.

After your Hakka culture tour in Meizhou, drive 2.5 hours or so to your hotel in Shantou.

Optional Chaoshan Beef Hot Pot Dinner:

For your first taste of Shantou, we highly recommend a local beef hot pot dinner. Witness the culinary precision of Chaoshan chefs as they serve fresh, hand-cut beef—graded by texture and fat content—to be flash-boiled in a clear, savory broth for mere seconds.

Today, we explore the rise of Shantou from a fishing village to a major international port, witnessing the architectural legacy of the South Sea (Nanyang) migrants.

We begin at the Shantou Small Park Historic District. Despite its name, this is not a park but the city's historical soul. At its center stands the Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion, from which a network of Qilou (Arcade) streets radiates in a spider-web pattern. This is China's largest concentration of modern arcade architecture, built by returning overseas Chinese in the early 20th century.

While the core area is bustling, we will wander toward Xidi Road. Here, the weathered facades of the arcades reveal the true Nanyang bone (South Sea character) of the city—quiet, dignified, and authentic.

Adjacent to the park, we visit a local Guanyin Temple. Look up to witness the breathtaking Qianci (Ceramic Inlay Art). This intangible cultural heritage uses shattered colorful porcelain to create intricate figures and floral scenes on rooftops, defiant of the salty sea air and centuries of sun.

After lunch, we head to The Exhibition Hall of Shantou Port Opening. Housed in a 1907 European-style building (formerly the Bank of Taiwan), this museum chronicles Shantou’s transformation into a Century-old Commercial Port. It encapsulates the city's journey from forced opening to its role as a global maritime gateway.

A short drive brings us to the Versailles of Chaoshan - The Former Residence of Chen Cihong. Built over three generations by the Thai-Chinese Chen family, this massive complex spans 25,400 square meters with 506 rooms. Local legend says a servant would spend the entire morning just opening every window in the house.

The residence is a treasure trove of imported Spanish and Italian encaustic tiles. You will find over 60 patterns of floor tiles and 108 types of glazed wall tiles, featuring a vibrant fusion of Chinese auspicious symbols (like magpies and peaches) and European motifs. Even after a century, these five-to-six-colored tiles remain as vivid as the day they were fired.

Following the exploration, a 1 to 1.5-hour drive takes you to the ancient city of Chaozhou, where the pace of life slows down further into the heart of traditional Teochew culture. Check in your hotel and have a good rest.

Today is a deep dive into the essence of Teochew culture, from the prestigious alleys of ancient scholars to the world’s first opening-and-closing bridge.

We begin at Jiadi Lane. This 300-meter alley is a preserved Ming and Qing dynasty enclave. The name Jiadi refers to the highest success in the Imperial Examinations. Wander past grand mansions like Dafu Di and Waihan Di, marked by stone plaques revealing the high status of their former owners. We will gain exclusive entry to No. 16 Zizheng Di, where you can climb to the rooftop for a rare panoramic view over the undulating grey dragon rooftops of the old town.

Later, head to Paifang Street (Archway Street). This iconic street is lined with 22 meticulously restored stone archways. Far from mere decorations, each archway commemorates a legendary Teochew figure, their family honors, or their success in the imperial courts.

Pause for a sensory break. We will sit down for an authentic Kongfu Tea session, learning why this meticulous brewing method is considered the pinnacle of Chinese tea ceremony and a cornerstone of Teochew social life.

Standing tall at the end of Archway Street is Guangji Gate Tower. This majestic structure boasts the grandeur of a Ming Dynasty palace. Rebuilt by General Yu Liangfu under the orders of Zhu Yuanzhang, its brilliant architecture served as a crucial defense against historical raids.

Adjacent to the gate is Guangji Bridge - One of China’s Four Great Ancient Bridges. Described by bridge expert Mao Yisheng as the world's earliest opening-and-closing bridge, it ingeniously combines stone beams with a floating pontoon center made of 18 wooden boats.

Cross the Han River to the thousand-year-old sanctuary - The Han Yu Memorial Temple. It honors Han Yu, the Tang Dynasty poet who, in just eight months of exile here, transformed the region by improving agriculture, education, and water conservancy. The people’s gratitude was so profound they renamed the mountain and the river after him.

Optional Guangji Bridge Nightlight Show (20:00):

Every night at 20:00pm, there will be a light show on the bridge. The entire bridge will then be decorated with colorful illuminated lights, which is really impressive. The entire show lasts 10 minutes around. If you are looking for something in Chaozhou at night, this may be a good choice.

After a full day tour, be driven back to your hotel in Chaozhou.

Today is for your free discovery in Chaozhou before departure. Your AOT driver will escort you to your airport/train station from your hotel in Chaozhou on time.

Optional Morning Market at Xixin Market (西新市场):

For those who wish to experience the most authentic start to a Chaozhou day, a visit to Xixin Market is essential. Far from the tourist crowds, this bustling neighborhood hub is where the city’s culinary soul awakens. Wander through the vibrant stalls as locals bargain for the morning’s freshest produce.

Indulge in a steaming bowl of Kway Teow Soup (rice noodles) with fresh offal or beef, or try the silky-smooth Rice Rolls (Chang Fen)—a local version distinct for its rich peanut-based or savory soy sauce. Don't miss the golden-fried Oyster Cakes or the diverse assortment of Hock-chew-style snacks (Kueh) filled with chives, radishes, or sweet beans. It is a sensory feast that defines the flavor of home for the Teochew people.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your China Fujian Chaoshan tour. We are always dedicated to serving you and look forward to welcoming you again for your future trips to China/Asia.