--- title: "Reunion Feast" description: "Taste your way through Guangdong, Teochew and Fujian in one trip. Ten days and nine nights from Guangzhou through Shantou, Jieyang, Teochew, Quanzhou, Anxi and Nanjing, ending with a crossing to Kinmen: roots, flavours, and the way home." type: "tour" route_id: "guangdong-fujian-10-days" total_days: 10 price: 4000 highlights: ["Guangzhou", "Shantou", "Jieyang", "Chaozhou", "Jinjiang", "Quanzhou", "Anxi", "Zhangzhou", "Xiamen"] url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days" canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days" locale: "en-GB" alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","zh-TW":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-TW/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/guangdong-fujian-10-days"} --- # Reunion Feast 10 Days and 9 Nights Culinary Journey Through Guangdong, Chaozhou and Fujian Savour the essence of Cantonese, Chaoshan, and Min cuisine in one trip. Ten days, nine nights, starting from Guangzhou, journey through Shantou, Jieyang, Chaozhou, Quanzhou, Anxi, and Nanjing, then cross the sea to Kinmen — trace your roots, savour the flavours, and find your way home. - Easy–moderate: mainly walking through old towns and villages, with no mountain hiking sections — Expect 2 to 4 hours of walking daily, mainly on stone-paved paths and across the thresholds of ancestral halls. Day nine is a full-day trip involving a return ferry crossing to Kinmen; the return boat runs on a fixed schedule. ## Overview Day 1: Arrive in Guangzhou, met by your driver at the airport or station, transferred to your hotel for check-in. Free in the evening to explore at your leisure. Day 2: Take a high-speed train south to Shantou. Stroll through Xiao Gongyuan and Lao Ma Gong, immersing yourself in the qilou arcade architecture of this historic trading port. Visit the Qiaopi Cultural Exhibition Hall to discover the poignant stories behind these 'silver-letter' packets—testaments to the hardships of overseas Chinese and their enduring love for their homeland. In the evening, savour the flavours of Longyan South Road Food Street. Day 3: Enjoy an authentic Puning dim sum breakfast at a beloved 30-year-old establishment. Explore Nigou Village's Chang'an Lane and the rare De'anli ancestral village complex, one of China's most unusual traditional residential villages. In the afternoon, visit Jieyang Confucius Temple and the City God Temple. Day 4: Marvel at the Guangji Bridge, one of China's four ancient bridges, followed by a genuine Chaoshan braised goose banquet. Pay respects at the Han Wengong Shrine, witness the breathtaking intangible cultural heritage Yingge Dance up close, wander through Paifang Street, and try your hand at making red peach模 (Hongtao Guo). Evening: enjoy the Chaozhou ancient city light show. Day 5: Board a high-speed train to Quanzhou. Explore the Wulin Traditional Village, savour lunch at a renowned Ginger Duck restaurant, and visit Luojia Temple, known as a 'Buddhist Paradise by the Sea.' Day 6: Experience the viral appeal of Zanhua flower headdress portraits in Xunpu Village. Immerse yourself in Quanzhou's ancient city on a deeper walking tour, and enjoy performances of intangible cultural heritage Nan Yin music and puppet theatre. Day 7: Feel the vibrant Minnan folk devotion at Guan Di Temple, then drive to Anxi, renowned as the homeland of oolong tea. Tour Qingshui Yan Temple, visit a state-run tea factory, and participate in a tea-tasting and competitive tea session. Day 8: Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nanjing Tulou, savour Hakka-style dishes served within the earthen buildings, and take a leisurely walk through Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. Day 9: Cross the strait from Wutong Ferry to Kinmen Island. Visit the Small Path Station, Zhongzheng Park, the former General's Office of the Qing Dynasty's Kinmen Garrison, and the Shanhou Folk Culture Village. Day 10: Depending on your flight or high-speed train schedule, a private transfer will see you off, concluding your heartfelt journey home filled with warm memories. — Journey Along the Way Itinerary can be adjusted to suit your dates and travel group size. Minimum 2 travellers for departure. ## Summary - Route ID: guangdong-fujian-10-days - Duration: 10 days / 9 nights - Starting price: $4,000 - Status: active - Highlights: Guangzhou, Shantou, Jieyang, Chaozhou, Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Anxi, Zhangzhou, Xiamen - Cover image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/eyBsuVxW.webp ## Hero tags - No shopping - Fully tailored - Multilingual services — Tours run in English. Other languages can be arranged with 30 days' notice and at an added fee. ## Highlight notes - Qiaopi Relics Museum: Homesickness and Patriotism in Silver Letters - Guangji Bridge: Eighteen Sailors, Twenty-Four Islands - Intangible Cultural Heritage Yingge Dance: Face Masks, Double Sticks, and Formations - Peach Blossom Cake: Handcraft Your Blessing Pastry - Xunpu Floral Hairpin: Traditional Attire Travel Photos - Southern Music and Puppetry: China's Living Musical Fossils - Anxi Dou Cha: The Orchid Aroma of Tieguanyin - Nanjing Tulou: UNESCO World Heritage Site - Ginmen Island: Sea-hopping ## Selling points - Visit the Qiaopi Cultural Relics Museum and listen to the blood, tears, and homeland devotion of Chinese overseas migrants behind each 'silver letter'. - Visit Guangxi Bridge (Xiangzi Bridge), one of China's four ancient bridges, to marvel at the famed 'eighteen towboats and twenty-four islets'. - Enjoy Dancong tea while watching a captivating, close-up performance of Yingge Dance, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition. - Stroll through Paifang Street and experience making Hongtaoguo, a traditional Chaoshan sacrificial pastry, with your own hands. - Experience the viral zanhua travel photography in Xunpu Village: don traditional attire and capture the most beautiful face of China. - Experience immersive performances of Quanzhou's intangible cultural heritage: Nanyin (a living fossil of Chinese music) and remarkable puppetry. - Visit the Anxi state-run tea factory for a sensory journey into Tieguanyin tea tasting and appraisal, savouring its signature orchid fragrance. - Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nanjing Tulou, admiring Guizai Lou, the tallest earthen building, and Huaiyuan Lou, the most exquisite double-ring circular structure. - Head to Wutong Pier, take a ferry across the sea to Kinmen Island, and explore the trail stop and Shanhou Folk Culture Village. ## City highlights - Jinjiang (1 days): Jinjiang: Nan'yang Villas and Traditional Red-Brick Courtyard Homes - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/36d65b2d797b.webp - Guangzhou (1 days): Guangzhou: Touch Down First, Then Begin - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bc310a3e391c.jpg - Shantou (1 days): Shantou: Arcade Shophouses of a Centennial Trading Port - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/d2d57479e318.webp - Quanzhou (1 days): Quanzhou: The Ancient City of the Song and Yuan Maritime Silk Road - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/5e51bbc5e762.webp - Anxi (1 days): Anxi: The Birthplace of Oolong Tea - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1c1cc7941ece.webp - Jieyang (1 days): Jieyang: Ancient Water Town Fortress and Scholar's Academy - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/217c6340d0cf.webp - Zhangzhou (1 days): Zhangzhou: The Earthen Tulou of Nanjing - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bb243d2d0424.webp - Chaozhou (1 days): Chaozhou: a bridge, an artisan lane, a steamer of red peach-shaped buns - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/30d9b5769491.webp - Xiamen (2 days): Xiamen: Cross the Sea to Kinmen, Then Return Home - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c53d80697bd1.webp ## Experiences Savour the essence of Guangdong, Chaoshan and Fujian in one bite. Trace your roots · Savor the flavours · Find your way home. - Hand-press a tray of red Tao Kueh (Chaozhou): Hongtao ke is a traditional chawan cake offered during ancestral worship and festivals. Its peach shape symbolises good fortune. Guided by the shop's craftsman, you knead dough coloured with red yeast rice, fill it with savoury glutinous rice, press it into a carved peach-shaped wooden mould, and steam it to perfection. The entire experience takes about an hour, after which you take your freshly steamed cake away. The workshop sits beneath the arcades on Paifang Street, so you can continue browsing as soon as you've finished. - Subtitle: A shop on the Pailou Street, with red yeast rice rice balls, wooden moulds, and bamboo steamers - Tags: Hands-on - Host: Chaozhou, Chaozhou Lens — Bridges, ancestral halls and handcrafted cakes of Chaoshan - Access: This is already included in the itinerary, so no separate booking is required. For large groups, the session will be split into two batches. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/93f2e60215bb.webp - The flower-jewelled hair wreath of Xunpu Village (Quanzhou): The "Zanhua Wei" floral headwear is the traditional daily hairstyle of women in Xunpu fishing village, not a performance staged for tourists — local aunties still wear it when going out. Change into authentic local attire, have an auntie style your hair with fresh flowers, and take a photo series through the alleys lined with oyster-shell walls. These distinctive exteriors, encrusted with large oyster shells, were built using ballast stones hauled back from Africa’s east coast by ancient merchant ships, repurposed by locals as wall material. The full styling and photoshoot experience takes approximately two and a half hours. - Subtitle: A ring of fresh flowers coiled at the back of the head, pierced through with a single ivory hairpin - Tags: Folk culture - Host: Quanzhou, Quanzhou Lens — Maritime Silk Road old town, Xunpu fishing village and Anxi tea mountains - Access: This is already included in your itinerary. The hair, makeup and photography session will be conducted according to the scheduled time slot on the day; if it rains, we will move to covered areas and indoor scenes instead of cancelling. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b6e4994cf210.webp - Battle it out with tea at the old tea factory (Quanzhou): Anxi is the birthplace of Tieguanyin. The buildings of the old state-run tea factory are still in operation, with wooden withering troughs and rolling machines that have been in service for decades. First, watch the full process from withering and rolling to baking, then try your hand at tea tasting: given three identical cups, you will learn from the master how to judge aroma, liquor colour and wet leaves. The orchid fragrance of Tieguanyin is developed through the rolling process, not added — once you see it, you understand. The next morning, you can also visit the terraced tea gardens and pick a basket of leaves yourself. - Subtitle: Anxi State-run Tea Factory, the birthplace of Tieguanyin - Tags: Tea - Host: Quanzhou, Quanzhou Lens — Maritime Silk Road old town, Xunpu fishing village and Anxi tea mountains - Access: Included in the itinerary. Tea-picking is seasonal, mainly in spring and autumn; outside the picking season, the tea factory processes and the tea-tasting competition remain part of the experience. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a2756c7fbe7f.webp ### Capture banner - Label: Save this itinerary - Title: Save the full itinerary to your email - Subtitle: We will include the latest hotel recommendations, host experiences, and pacing suggestions. - Placeholder: Email address - CTA: Send itinerary - Sent label: 已发送 ## Itinerary ### Eastern Guangdong: Where Qiaopi Letters Arrived - 4 days Home of Overseas Chinese #### Guangzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Guangzhou: Touch Down First, Then Begin - Recommendation: Overnight in Guangzhou, then take a high-speed rail to Chaoshan early the next morning. - Transport: High-speed rail · 3 hours - Transport mode: train No sightseeing is arranged for the day of arrival. In the evening, take a stroll along Shangxiajiu or Beijing Road, then turn in early. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bc310a3e391c.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/41f5146efed6.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/5aee5f679c2e.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/5wcQq4Zx.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7rOa5eZw.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1983e458756c.jpg ##### Day 1: Arrival in Guangzhou - (transport) — Your butler will meet you at the arrivals gate and escort you to your hotel in central Guangzhou in a private car. Your luggage will be taken directly to your room, so there is no need to handle it yourself. - (accommodation) LN Garden Hotel Guangzhou — Luxury hotel in the city centre. Afternoon is free—catch up on rest. - (note) — I'd recommend visiting Shangxiajiu or Beijing Road Pedestrian Street. The arcade-style buildings capture the everyday life of Guangzhou, with sweet dessert shops open well into the night. Get some rest early tonight so you're ready for the high-speed rail trip tomorrow morning. #### Shantou (1 days) - Subtitle: Shantou: Arcade Shophouses of a Centennial Trading Port - Recommendation: The Qiaopi Cultural Exhibition Centre turns the 'migration to Southeast Asia' experience into a series of heartfelt family letters—this is the very essence of the route. - Transport: Private car · 1 hour - Transport mode: car Visit the Small Park and Laomagong in the afternoon when the light is good, and leave Longyan South Road for the evening. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/d2d57479e318.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3f35dd10e510.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/0172ea423176.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4c400a726577.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3c3420c4553e.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/470c7079cf2c.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1c9488dc50db.webp ##### Day 2: A Century-Old Port, the Cultural Gem by the Sea - (dining) — Head straight to Guangzhou South Railway Station after your meal; your luggage will be transferred by the driver. - (transport) — Second class, about three hours. The view outside the window shifts from the Pearl River Delta to the rice paddies and ancestral halls of the Chaoshan plain. - (dining) — Start with a proper Teochew meal — beef balls and kway teow to set the base for this afternoon's walk. - (sight) Shantou Small Park Historic District — Xiaogongyuan is a radial block of arcaded buildings from the 1930s, with Zhongshan Pavilion at its centre. Two streets away is Laomagong, whose Mazu temple ridge is adorned with porcelain mosaics—shards of porcelain pieced together into figures of people, flowers, and birds. - (sight) — Qiaopi are letters sent home by overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia, with money enclosed—each letter served as a remittance. The museum displays the original letters, with handwriting, rattan trunks, and account books all preserved. The overseas-style mansions and ancestral halls seen along this route were all funded by the money from these envelopes. - (dining) — Snack your way along the street — beef balls, kway teow, oyster omelette, and rice roll noodles, one of each. No need to sit down and finish at every stall. - (accommodation) Sheraton Shantou Longkang Hotel — Sheraton Shantou or similar. #### Jieyang (1 days) - Subtitle: Jieyang: Ancient Water Town Fortress and Scholar's Academy - Recommendation: Chang'an Li and De'an Li in Nigou Village are the two best-preserved examples of Chaoshan traditional residences, with their ancestral halls still in use today. - Transport: Private car · 1 hour - Transport mode: car Morning tea at 8:30, leaving plenty of time for the ancient village. Stay two nights here — no need to keep moving your luggage. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/217c6340d0cf.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/9bdc72afcfec.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/33c6e8f320f1.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/12e1a57e036d.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c254be663256.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/0ca1024ac4d7.webp ##### Day 3: Ancient water-town fortress, heart of Confucian culture - (dining) — A thirty-year-old institution where the tradition of "one cup, two dim sum" still reigns. Shrimp dumplings, siu mai, rice-roll wraps, chicken feet—all steamed and served one basket at a time, savoured leisurely until half past ten. - (sight) — Fifteen traditional Teochew residences, each laid out in the classic 'Four Points of Gold' or 'Descending Tiger' style, form a continuous row. These names describe two characteristic architectural plans: the 'Four Points of Gold' features rooms at all four corners, while the 'Descending Tiger' has lower side wings. Carved wooden beams adorn the interiors, and the roof ridges are decorated with intricate porcelain mosaic work. - (sight) — The largest cluster of traditional courtyard-style ancient residences in Chaoshan, laid out in the 'hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix' formation. Take a stroll through the alleys before enjoying lunch nearby. - (sight) Jieyang Confucian Temple — The xuegong was an official school of the old era, combined with a Confucian temple. The halls are arranged along the central axis. Two hundred metres on is the Chenghuang Temple, still flourishing with incense today. Though both sites feature exquisite carvings and decorations, their artistic styles differ markedly: one celebrates scholarly tradition, the other embodies folk belief. - (dining) — Teochew vegetarian cuisine is meticulously crafted, drawing out the layered flavours of mushrooms and soy products to rival meat dishes. After a day’s wandering, this light meal was just what the doctor ordered. - (accommodation) Jieyang Select Accommodations — Four-diamond hotel in Jieyang city centre or equivalent, with two consecutive nights' stay. #### Chaozhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Chaozhou: a bridge, an artisan lane, a steamer of red peach-shaped buns - Recommendation: The eighteen boat-piers of Guangji Bridge are untied each evening, while the street of archways features Ming and Qing stone paifang, flanked by Nanyang-style shophouses on either side. - Transport: High-speed rail · 2 hours - Transport mode: train Cross the bridge and visit the ancestral hall by day; enjoy Jiezhou and the evening light show at dusk, with claypot congee for supper. Return to stay overnight in Jieyang. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/30d9b5769491.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b11094de0ba5.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/dbbab9859d89.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/5b52ef24f582.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/572c31382574.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3893eb0b7974.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2a375304ec8e.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/93f2e60215bb.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/11bf4975174c.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/be772813dd6e.webp ##### Day 4: Tide Waves, Timeless Traditions: An Intangible Cultural Heritage Night - (transport) — About an hour from Jieyang to Chaozhou, and you can be on the bridge before noon. - (sight) ⑧ Guangji Bridge 🗺️ MAP J — One of China's four ancient bridges, locally known as Xiangzi Bridge. The phrase "eighteen lockers and twenty-four islets" describes its structure: stone piers at each end with eighteen wooden boats forming a floating bridge in the middle. Every evening the boats are unlinked to let ships pass through, dividing the bridge into two sections — a design that has been in use since the Song Dynasty. - (dining) — A whole Lion Head goose is poached in the master stock, while its liver, wings, and feet are sliced and served separately with a dip of white vinegar and minced garlic. This is the traditional banquet spread reserved for special occasions in Teochew culture. - (sight) ⑩ Han Wen Gong Temple 🗺️ MAP J — The ancestral hall, perched by the river with mountains at its back, honours Han Yu. He spent only eight months in Chaozhou — establishing schools, freeing slaves, and performing the rite to exorcise crocodiles. Afterward, the local river was renamed the Han River, and the mountain the Han Mountain. The Chao-Shan people's deep-rooted reverence for education traces its origin here. - (sight) — Begin with a steeping of Fenghuang Dancong oolong — a local daily ritual, brewed many times over. Then watch the Yingge dance: face masks, paired wooden staffs, and intricate formations that fuse martial arts and opera. Dozens of performers strike in unison, the ground quaking beneath them. A national intangible cultural heritage. - (sight) ⑨ Paifang Street (Chaozhou Arch Street) — The street is lined with twenty-three Ming and Qing stone archways, flanked by Nanyang-style arcaded buildings, with snack stalls tucked underneath. Find a shop, sit down, and make red peach cakes: knead the red yeast rice dough, wrap it with glutinous rice filling, press it into a peach-shaped wooden mould, and steam until soft — a symbol of good fortune. Take your creations home with you. - (dining) — The night market people from Chaozhou call their own. From duck-mother rice balls and fermented tofu biscuits to oyster omelettes and beef offal noodles, walk the length of the street for a true culinary journey. - (sight) — The lighting illuminates Guangji Tower and the surrounding city wall, highlighting the contours of the ancient structures; the view is best from the opposite bank of the river. - (dining) — Late-night snack. The Chaoshan-style seafood congee is cooked from raw rice, with grains blooming yet not mushy. The night in Chaoshan begins with this pot. - (transport) — The journey takes about an hour, but we will still be staying in Jieyang tonight. ### Southern Fujian: Red-brick Houses, Tea Mountains and Tulou - 6 days Tea and the Tulou #### Jinjiang (1 days) - Subtitle: Jinjiang: Nan'yang Villas and Traditional Red-Brick Courtyard Homes - Recommendation: Wulin transformed remittances from overseas Chinese into a Nanyang-style mansion alongside six-century-old red-brick traditional houses. - Transport: Private car · 40 min - Transport mode: car Have ginger duck for lunch. For the afternoon at Luojia Temple, which is seaside with strong winds, bring a jacket. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/36d65b2d797b.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b7e6f8d8fe06.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/66326d8b92c5.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4eb900977344.webp ##### Day 5: Crossing Southern Fujian, First Glimpse of Quanzhou - (transport) — Travel across provinces takes about three hours. Upon arrival, transfer directly to a private vehicle. - (sight) Wulin Traditional Village Scenic Area — A village of six centuries. Beside the swallowtail ridges of ancient Minnan red-brick houses, stand Western-style buildings erected by overseas Chinese returning from the Nanyang — some left half-finished, funding drying up and leaving them empty. The red brick is local; the Roman columns are imported. Two worlds side by side in a single alley. - (dining) — Slow-simmered Muscovy duck with old ginger, sesame oil, and rice wine, served in a clay pot still bubbling at the table. A classic Hokkien nourishing dish, especially savoured in autumn and winter. - (sight) — The temple sits by the sea, its halls facing the water. The sea breeze is strong, and the sound of bells mingles with the waves. Bring a jacket. - (accommodation) Selected Accommodation in Jinjiang — Premium four-diamond hotel in Jinjiang, or equivalent. - (dining) — A night market where Fujian and Taiwanese flavours blend seamlessly. Try oyster omelettes, four-fruit soup, and rice vermicelli congee, and wander until ten o'clock. #### Quanzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Quanzhou: The Ancient City of the Song and Yuan Maritime Silk Road - Recommendation: The entire old town is listed with UNESCO. West Street's Eastern and Western Pagodas are steeped in the local hustle and bustle. - Transport: Private Transfer · 1.5 Hours - Transport mode: car Morning: flowers in the hair at Xunpu; afternoon: West Street and surroundings of Kaiyuan Temple; evening: Nanyin music and string-puppet performances. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/5e51bbc5e762.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/85c63c47d8df.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b6e4994cf210.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/62d6952fce64.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c2d6e90940a2.webp ##### Day 6: Half worldly bustle, half celestial grace - (sight) — Fishing village. The house walls are embedded with large oyster shells, brought back as ballast from the east coast of Africa by merchant ships of the time; the locals used them to build walls, which are both damp-proof and sturdy. The alleys are narrow, and the shells are right above your head. - (sight) — Wearing flower wreaths is the everyday hairstyle of local fishing women here: a ring of fresh flowers arranged at the nape of the neck, secured with an ivory hairpin. This is not a performance for tourists; it is how local women style their hair when heading out today. Try on traditional attire, follow the auntie's demonstration to arrange your own wreath, and take a set of photos in the alleyway. - (dining) — Oysters in Xunpu are small but full of flavour. The risotto arrives bubbling in a stone pot, and the oyster omelette is pan-fried with sweet potato flour until the edges are crisp. - (sight) — West Street is the main artery of the old city, flanked by traditional red-brick homes with the twin pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple rising above the rooftops. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, this was a key port on the Maritime Silk Road; today, stalls beneath the pagodas serve local favourites such as mianxian hu (vermicelli congee) and runbing (fresh spring rolls). - (sight) — Nanyin's musical structures and instruments trace back to the Tang and Song dynasties, earning it the title of a 'living fossil' of Chinese music — all performed in the Quanzhou dialect. With over thirty strings per marionette, performers can guide them to write with a brush. Book both shows together. - (accommodation) Selected Accommodations in Quanzhou — Boutique four-diamond hotel in Quanzhou city centre or similar. Dinner is on your own, but the hotel is surrounded by the historic old town. #### Anxi (1 days) - Subtitle: Anxi: The Birthplace of Oolong Tea - Recommendation: Origin of Tieguanyin tea. The old state-owned tea factory is still operational, and visitors can pick tea leaves from the terraced tea gardens. - Transport: Private car · 2.5 hours - Transport mode: car Qingshan Temple is up the mountain, which has many winding roads, so go in the morning. The tea factory and the斗茶 competition are in the afternoon. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1c1cc7941ece.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a2756c7fbe7f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a12b3737222a.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/39d319915ece.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f711304f38a2.webp ##### Day 7: Blessings, Tea & Faith: A Spiritual Journey - (sight) — In southern Fujian, visiting temples is a daily habit, not a formal ritual. Throughout the day, people cast blocks, draw lots, and seek interpretations at the temples. Ask your guide to translate the lot slip for you line by line. - (transport) — The road into the mountains has many bends, so passengers prone to car sickness should sit at the front. - (sight) Anxi Qingshuiyan Tourist Area — The temple complex, built into the mountainside, rises tier upon tier, and when the mist rolls in, the entire structure appears to float halfway up the hill. Construction began in the Northern Song dynasty. - (dining) — Farmhouse cuisine from the mountains, with dishes stir-fried in tea oil and dried bamboo shoots as the stars. - (sight) — The old factory still runs—its wooden withering trays and shaking machines are decades old. After watching the process, you can try斗茶 yourself: with three cups side by side, compare fragrance, liquor colour, and spent leaves; the guide will teach you how to tell them apart. The orchid aroma of Tieguanyin comes from the shaking, not from additives. - (dining) Handpicked Accommodation in Anxi — Four-diamond hotel in Anxi or equivalent. There is another tea plantation tour scheduled for tomorrow morning. #### Zhangzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Zhangzhou: The Earthen Tulou of Nanjing - Recommendation: The 'Four Dishes and a Soup' of Tianlei Cun and the ancient banyan trees along the Yunshuiyao stream are both on the UNESCO World Heritage list. - Transport: Private car · 2.5 hours - Transport mode: car Enjoy a Hakka private kitchen lunch inside the tulou, walk the ancient plank trail at Yunshuiyao in the afternoon, and drive back to Xiamen in the evening. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bb243d2d0424.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/49c634346234.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b331ab3551a5.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/65cb286e80ff.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3e0b0783786e.webp ##### Day 8: UNESCO Fujian Tulou - (sight) — Expansive terraced tea gardens, bamboo baskets slung over the shoulder. Only the finest first bud with two or three young leaves is hand-picked using a gentle lifting motion, never a pinch. The fragrance is at its most potent in the early morning mist before it has dispersed. - (transport) Nanjing Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster — A two-and-a-half-hour drive along the mountain road. As you approach Tianluokeng, the vehicle pauses at a bend, revealing the five earthen buildings spread out below in full view. - (dining) — Braised tofu, bamboo-shoot and free-range chicken soup, and wild mountain vegetables. Dine in the courtyard of a tulou, surrounded by a wooden balcony overhead. - (sight) — Hexi Tower was built on marshland and is the tallest surviving square earthen building at five storeys. Huaiyuan Tower is a double-ring circular building with its central ancestral hall designed as an academy. The rammed-earth walls are over a metre thick, reinforced with bamboo slivers and sticky rice slurry. Fujian tulou are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. - (sight) Yunshuiyao Ancient Town — A row of ancient banyan trees lines the stream, their roots gripping the rocks as they grow; the old waterwheel still turns, and the cobblestone path follows the water. At the end of the path stands Huaiyuan Tower. This stretch is flat and easy, perfect for a leisurely stroll. - (dining) — Homely dishes by the stream, fresh river fish and mountain produce. - (accommodation) Xiamen Premium Accommodation — Four-diamond hotel in Xiamen or equivalent, for two consecutive nights. #### Xiamen (2 days) - Subtitle: Xiamen: Cross the Sea to Kinmen, Then Return Home - Recommendation: Set sail from Wutong Pier and experience two different paces in one day; depart from Xiamen the following day. - Transport: Flight or high-speed rail - Transport mode: airplane Ferry services run on a fixed morning schedule. Confirm your travel documents and entry permits in advance — do not leave it until the day of departure. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c53d80697bd1.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/58b57e4453cb.webp ##### Day 9: Golden Kinmen–Xiamen Romance, Island-Hopping Across the Strait - (transport) — The flight takes approximately half an hour. Travellers holding foreign passports must obtain Taiwan entry permits in advance; we will verify your documents before departure. - (sight) — The old station has been transformed into a quarter where vintage signs line the street and milk-tea shops sit side by side. Life here moves a beat slower than across the river. - (dining) — Mee sua糊, fried instant noodles, and oyster omelettes. While they share origins with Quanzhou's versions, the seasoning differs — worth comparing side by side. - (sight) — A seaside garden with clusters of banyan trees, where a boardwalk hugs the shore. When the wind picks up, waves crash against the rocks. - (sight) — The military and administrative offices of the Qing Dynasty remain intact in their original layout. Explore how an entire island was safeguarded as a strategic pass. - (sight) — Eighteen traditional Minnan two-section grand houses are arranged in a neat square formation, forming a clan settlement funded by overseas Chinese in the 19th century. The swallowtail ridges of the roofs curve high, following the same style as the Shantou Mazu Temple. - (transport) — Transfer back to Wutong Pier in the evening, followed by private car service to your hotel. ##### Day 10: Farewell to鹭岛，A Fulfilling Return - (note) — Depends on your flight schedule. The环形沿海骑行道 along Huandao Road offers open sea views, while Zhongshan Road is a historic arcade shopping street where you can find both satay noodles and tunsun jelly. - (transport) — Depart according to your flight or train schedule, with your luggage taken to the check-in or platform. Take the flavours of your journey home. ## Daily plan ### Day 1 — Arrive in Guangzhou Touchdown, check-in, and rest. No sights planned today—let the jet lag from the long flight settle in Guangzhou. - Pick-up at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport or high-speed railway station: Your butler will greet you at the arrivals gate and chauffeur you to your hotel in central Guangzhou. Your luggage will be taken straight to your room, so you won't have to lift a finger. - Check in to a hotel in central Guangzhou: Upscale hotels in the city centre. Leave the afternoon free to catch up on rest. - Free time to explore the pedestrian streets of Shangxiajiu or Beijing Road: We recommend visiting the Shangxiajiu or Beijing Road pedestrian streets. The Qilou arcades reflect everyday Guangzhou life, with dessert and sugarcane juice stalls open until late. Get an early night's rest tonight; we're catching the high-speed rail first thing tomorrow. - Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Guangzhou city centre, upgradeable upon request - Dining: Room only ### Day 2 — A century-old trading port, a coastal cradle of culture Take the high-speed rail south to the Chaoshan region. Wander through the arcaded buildings around Xiaogongyuan in the afternoon, visit the Qiaopi Cultural Relics Museum at dusk, and let Longyan South Road’s food scene take care of your evening. - Hotel breakfast: After lunch, head straight to Guangzhou South Railway Station. The driver will handle your luggage. - Take the high-speed train from Guangzhou to Shantou: Second-class seat, about three hours. The view outside the window shifts from the Pearl River Delta to the rice paddies and ancestral hall rooftops of the Chaoshan plains. - Signature Shantou Lunch: Start with a proper Teochew meal—beef balls and rice noodles to fuel your afternoon walk. - Shantou Small Park and Laomu Temple: The Xiaogongyuan area features a radial street grid with arcaded buildings dating from the 1930s, centred on the Zhongshan Pavilion. Just two streets away lies the Mother Temple, its roof ridges adorned with intricate porcelain inlay depicting figures, birds and flowers. - Overseas Chinese Remittance Cultural Museum: Qiaopi are letters sent by overseas Chinese back home from Southeast Asia, with money enclosed in each one—so each letter was also a remittance. The museum displays original documents: the handwriting, rattan trunks, and account books are all preserved. Every Western-style mansion and ancestral hall visible along this route was funded by the money inside these envelopes. - Longyan South Road Food Street: Stroll and sample: beef balls, kway teow, oyster omelette, and rice rolls — one of each. No need to sit down at every stop. - Check in to hotel in Shantou: Sheraton Shantou or similar. - Accommodation: Sheraton Shantou Hotel or similar, upgradeable at client's request - Dining: Room only ### Day 3 — Water-town ancient village, cradle of Confucian culture Spend the morning immersed in the ancient Chaoshan residences, then explore the Confucian Temple and City God Temple in the afternoon. Remain in Jieyang for the next two nights. - Puning Cantonese Morning Tea: A thirty-year-old establishment, still keeping to the tradition of 'one pot, two pieces'. Har gow, siu mai, cheung fun, and chicken feet arrive basket by basket, and the tea flows until half past ten. - Nigou Village Chang'an Li: Fifteen courtyard residences in the traditional "Sidianjin" and "Xiashanhu" styles stand side by side. These terms denote classic Chaozhou architectural layouts: the Sidianjin features four wings surrounding a central courtyard, while the Xiashanhu has two lower side rooms. The beams are adorned with carved woodwork, and the roof ridges decorated with enameled ceramic assemblies. - De An Li and Surrounding Lunch: The largest cluster of traditional courtyard-style ancestral residences in the Chaoshan region, laid out in the 'hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix' pattern. Stroll through the alleys, then enjoy lunch nearby. - Jieyang Confucian Temple and City God Temple: The Confucian Academy was formerly an官办 school and temple, with its halls arranged along a central axis. A two-hundred-metre walk brings you to the City God Temple, still vibrant with incense smoke. The sculptural styles of the two sites differ entirely: one reflects literary tradition, the other folk belief. - Jieyang Vegetarian Buffet: Chaoshan vegetarian cuisine is meticulously crafted, achieving the layered depth of meat dishes using mushrooms and soy products. After a day's walks, this meal was a light and refreshing indulgence. - Check in to a hotel in Jieyang city centre: Four-diamond hotel in Jieyang city centre or equivalent, for two consecutive nights. - Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Jieyang city centre, upgradeable upon request - Dining: Room only ### Day 4 — Tidal Echoes, Timeless Nights: Intangible Heritage Unfolds Spend the day in Chaozhou. In the morning, cross Guangji Bridge and pay respects at the Han Wengong Shrine; lunch features braised goose feast. In the afternoon, enjoy the Yingge dance and red peach cakes, and as night falls, be mesmerised by the light show and claypot congee. - Travel to Chaozhou by car: It takes about an hour to get from Jieyang to Chaozhou, and you can be standing on the bridge well before noon. - Guangji Bridge: One of China's four ancient bridges, known locally as Xiangzi Bridge. Its structure is described as 'eighteen sailing boats and twenty-four islets': stone piers at each end with a floating bridge formed by eighteen wooden boats in the middle. Every evening, the boats are untethered to allow ships to pass, splitting the bridge into two sections—a design that dates back to the Song Dynasty. - Teochew Braised Goose Banquet: A whole lion-head goose is braised, with the liver, wings, and feet served separately on a platter, accompanied by chopped garlic and white vinegar. This is the feast laid out for Chaoshan locals when hosting guests. - Han Wengong Shrine: Nestled against the mountains and overlooking the river, this ancestral hall commemorates Han Yu. He served in Chaozhou for just eight months, founding schools, freeing enslaved people, and exorcising crocodiles—after which the river was renamed the Han River and the mountain the Han Mountain. This is the root of the Chaoshan people’s deep reverence for education. - Dongchong Oolong Tea and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Yingge Dance: Start with a brew of Fenghuang Dancong oolong — locals typically steep it many times over the course of a day. Then watch the Yingge dance: vivid facial makeup, paired sticks, intricate formations — a dynamic fusion of martial arts and opera. Dozens of performers strike in unison, the ground trembling beneath them. A national-level intangible cultural heritage. - Paifang Street and Handmade Hongtao Rice Cakes: Twenty-three Ming and Qing dynasty stone arches line the street, with Nanyang-style shophouses on either side and snack stalls below. Pick a stall to make hong tao kueh: knead dough coloured with red yeast rice, stuff it with glutinous rice filling, press it into peach-shaped wooden moulds, and steam until soft—a symbol of good fortune. Take your finished kueh away with you. - Xima Road Food Street: A night market for Chaozhou locals. Yumoi noodles, fermented-bean curd cakes, oyster omelettes and beef offal with rice noodles — walk the whole street to savour them all. - Chaozhou Old Town Light Show: The buildings and ramparts at Guangji Tower are illuminated, with lights tracing the outlines of the ancient structures—the best views are from across the river. - Ah Rong Claypot Congee: Late-night supper. The seafood claypot congee is made from raw rice and cooked to order, with grains blooming but not mushy. The Chaoshan night begins with this pot. - Return to Jieyang hotel: The drive takes about an hour, so you'll still be staying in Jieyang tonight. - Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Jieyang, with option to upgrade - Dining: Room only ### Day 5 — Exploring Southern Fujian: A First Glimpse of Quanzhou Take the high-speed rail across provinces into Fujian. Wulin is the second time this route directly confronts the theme of 'overseas Chinese'. - Take the high-speed rail from Chaoshan Station to Quanzhou South Station: A three-hour drive across provinces, with a private car waiting upon arrival. - Wulin Traditional Village: A 600-year-old village. Beneath the swan-tail ridges of traditional Minnan red-brick ancestral homes stand Western-style mansions built by overseas Chinese with designs brought back from Southeast Asia—some left half-finished when funding ran out, now standing empty. The red brick is local; the Roman columns are foreign, both coexisting in the same alleyway. - Quanzhou Ginger Duck: Braised番duck with ginger, sesame oil, and rice wine arrives at the table still bubbling in a clay pot — a cherished Minnan remedy, especially savoured through autumn and winter. - Luojia Temple: A coastal temple, its halls facing the sea. The wind is strong, and the sound of bells merges with the waves. Bring a jacket. - Stay at Jinjiang Hotel: Quality 4-diamond Jinjiang Hotel or equivalent. - Jinjiang Sunshine Night Market: A night market blending Min and Taiwan flavours. Oyster omelettes, four-fruit soup, wheat vermicelli congee — stroll until 10pm. - Accommodation: 4-diamond quality hotel in Jinjiang, upgradeable upon request - Dining: Room only ### Day 6 — Half a city of mortal bustle, half a city of immortal grace In the morning, change into a traditional hairpin flower headdress for photos in Xunpu Village; spend the afternoon soaking up the everyday atmosphere of West Street; and in the evening, enjoy Nanyin music and watch a string-puppet performance. - Xunpu Village and the Oyster Shell House Alleys: A fishing village. The exterior walls are embedded with large oyster shells, ballast brought back by merchant ships from the east coast of Africa. Locals used them to build walls—moisture-resistant and sturdy. The alleys are narrow; look up and you are surrounded by shells. - Xunpu Floral Headdress Travel Photoshoot: The flower crown is the everyday hairstyle of local fishing women, with a ring of fresh flowers coiled at the back of the head and an ivory hairpin. It is not a performance for tourists; it is what local women wear when going out today. Change into the traditional blouse and trousers, follow the auntie's hands to style one yourself, and take some photos in the alleyway. - Oyster Risotto in Stone Pot and Oyster Omelette: The oysters in Xunpu are small but flavourful. The risotto is served bubbling in a stone pot, while the oyster pancake is pan-fried with sweet potato starch until the edges are crisp and golden. - West Street and Twin Pagodas in Quanzhou Ancient City: West Street is the main thoroughfare of the old city, lined on both sides with red-brick minnan-style houses, while the twin East and West Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple rise above the rooftops. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, this was a key port on the Maritime Silk Road; today, stalls beneath the pagodas sell mianxianhu (noodle congee) and runbing (spring rolls). - Nanyin Music and String Puppetry: The musical forms and instruments of Nanyin date back to the Tang and Song dynasties, earning it the title "living fossil" of Chinese music, and it is performed in the Quanzhou dialect. A traditional marionette is controlled by over thirty strings, allowing the artist to make it write with a brush. Enjoy both performances back to back. - Stay at a hotel in Quanzhou city centre: Boutique four-diamond hotel in Quanzhou city centre, or equivalent. Dinner is at your own expense; the old town is just outside the hotel. - Accommodation: Premium 4-diamond hotel in Quanzhou city centre, upgradeable based on client request - Dining: Room only ### Day 7 — Blessings, Tea Tasting, and Pilgrimage: A Faith Journey In the morning, visit the Guan Di Temple to observe how locals in southern Fujian worship, then head into the mountains. Anxi is the birthplace of Tieguanyin. - Divining fortune at the Guan Di Temple in Quanzhou: In southern Fujian, 'bai bai' (worship) is an everyday occurrence rather than a formal ritual. The temples are full of people throughout the day casting jiaobei (divination blocks), drawing fortune slips, and seeking interpreters to explain them. Ask your guide to translate each line of your fortune slip for you. - Depart for Anxi: The road into the mountains has many bends; passengers prone to motion sickness should sit in the front. - Tiangong Pavilion, Qingshui Rock: A complex of pavilions and halls built into the mountainside, rising in layered tiers. When clouds roll in, the entire structure appears to float halfway up the slope. First constructed during the Northern Song Dynasty. - Anxi Speciality Lunch: Home-style dishes from the mountains feature tea-oil stir-fries and dried bamboo shoots as the stars. - Anxi State Tea Factory and Dou Cha Tea-Tasting: The old factory is still in operation, with decades-old wooden withering trays and rocking machines. After watching the process, you can try your hand at斗茶 yourself: given three identical cups, you'll compare their aroma, liquor colour, and infused leaves, guided by an expert on how to tell them apart. The orchid fragrance of Tieguanyin is coaxed out during the rocking process — it's not added. - Dinner and overnight stay at Anxi Hotel: Anxi four-diamond hotel or equivalent. There is another session at the tea plantation tomorrow morning. - Accommodation: Anxi 4-diamond hotel, upgrade available on request - Dining: Room only ### Day 8 — World Heritage Tulou Start early with a morning tea-picking session, then cross the mountains to Nanjing. Enjoy authentic Hakka cuisine in the tulou, and spend the afternoon wandering through Yunshuiyao. - Tea-picking in the tea garden: Across thousands of acres of terraced tea gardens, baskets slung over the shoulder, we descend into the fields. Only the tender bud and first two leaves are plucked — lifted gently, never pinched. The fragrance is at its richest in the still-wrapping morning mist. - Travel to Nanjing Tulou: A two-and-a-half-hour drive on mountain roads. As you near Tianluokeng, the car will stop at a bend, revealing a full panorama of the five earthen buildings spread out below. - Tulou Hakka Private Kitchen: Stuffed tofu, bamboo shoot and free-range chicken soup, and foraged mountain vegetables. Dine together in the open-air courtyard of the tulou, surrounded by a wooden gallery overhead. - Hegui Building and Huaiyuan Building: Hegui Tower was built on swamp land; it has five storeys and is the tallest surviving square earthen building. Huaiyuan Tower is a double-ring circular structure, with its central ancestral hall designed in the style of an academy. The rammed-earth walls are over a metre thick and reinforced with bamboo strips and sticky-rice slurry. Fujian tulou are listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. - Yunshuiyao Ancient Town and the Ancient Banyan Boardwalk: Rows of centuries-old banyan trees line the creek, their roots gripping the rocks; old waterwheels still turn, and bluestone paths follow the water’s edge. At the end lies Huaiyuan Tower. This stretch is flat and gentle — take your time. - Dinner in Yunshuiyao: Riverside home cooking, featuring river fresh and mountain delicacies. - Check in to Xiamen hotel: Four-diamond hotel in Xiamen or equivalent, with a two-night stay. - Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Xiamen, upgradeable on request - Dining: Room only ### Day 9 — Jinsha Bond: Island-Hopping Across the Strait Embark from Wutong Pier in the morning for a sea crossing to Kinmen, offering a day of contrasting rhythms, and return by boat to Xiamen in the evening. - Take a boat from Wutong Pier to Kinmen: The journey takes about half an hour. Holders of foreign passports must obtain a Taiwan entry permit in advance; we will verify your documents before departure. - Railway Station and Milk Tea Street: This district, converted from the old train station, features vintage signs lining the street and milk tea shops挨肩接踵. The pace of daily life here is half a beat slower than across the river. - Kinmen Snack Lunch: Thick wheat vermicelli soup, stir-fried instant noodles, and oyster omelettes. Sharing the same origins as Quanzhou's versions, though the seasoning differs—ideal for a side-by-side comparison. - Chung Cheng Park: A seaside garden with clusters of banyan trees and boardwalks tracing the coast. On windy days, waves crash against the rocks. - Qing Dynasty Jinmen Town General's Office: The military and administrative offices of the Qing Dynasty remain intact in their original layout. Discover how they safeguarded an entire island as a strategic chokepoint. - Shanhou Folk Culture Village: Eighteen traditional Minnan-style two-section courtyard houses are arranged in neat rows, forming a clan settlement built in the 19th century by overseas Chinese investors. The roof ridges feature dramatically upturned swallowtail eaves, executed in the same style as those found at Laogong Temple in Shantou. - Return to Xiamen by boat: Return to Wutong Pier on the evening shuttle, with a private transfer back to your hotel. - Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Xiamen, upgradeable on request - Dining: Room only ### Day 10 — Farewell to鹭岛, A Wonderful Journey Home Depart with ease. A private car will be arranged for a smooth transfer to the station, timed to your flight or high-speed rail schedule. - Free time on Huandao Road or Zhongshan Road: Depends on your train schedule. The Huandao Road coastal cycling path offers expansive sea views, while Zhongshan Road is a historic arcade shopping street in the old town, where you can find both satay noodles and sandworm jelly. - Private transfer to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport or Xiamen Railway Station: Departure aligned with your flight or train; luggage delivered to check-in or boarding. Take home the flavours of your journey. - Port of Entry and Exit: Arrive in Guangzhou, Depart from Xiamen - Dining: Room only ## Hotels ### LN Garden Hotel Guangzhou - City: Guangzhou - Description: Showcases a perfect fusion of Chinese culture and contemporary art. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/86358f0ddd87.jpg ### Sheraton Shantou Longkang Hotel - City: Shantou - Description: The accommodation specified in the itinerary is located in Shantou city centre. You will stay here on the second night of your trip. Room upgrades are available upon request; please refer to your confirmation document for details. - Labels: NEW, Feature Stay ### Jieyang Select Accommodations - City: Jieyang - Description: Accommodation selected in Jieyang to the Four Diamond standard; the specific hotel will be confirmed on your voucher. ### Selected Accommodation in Jinjiang - City: Jinjiang - Description: Accommodation in Jinjiang, selected to Four-Diamond standards; the specific hotel will be confirmed in your booking voucher. ### Selected Accommodations in Quanzhou - City: Quanzhou - Description: Accommodation handpicked to a four-diamond standard in Quanzhou; the specific establishment will be confirmed on your voucher. ### Handpicked Accommodation in Anxi - City: Anxi - Description: Accommodation selected in Anxi to the Four-Diamond standard; the specific hotel will be confirmed on your booking voucher. ### Xiamen Premium Accommodation - City: Xiamen - Description: Accommodation in Xiamen selected to Four-Diamond standards; the specific hotel will be confirmed in your booking voucher. ## Included / Excluded ### What's Included - Transport: One seat per person, including vehicle hire, fuel, parking, tolls, and the driver’s food and accommodation. - Accommodation: D1: Premium hotel in Guangzhou city centre; D2: Sheraton Longguang Hotel; D3: Hotel in Jieyang city centre; D4: Hotel in Jieyang; D5: Quality hotel in Jinjiang; D6: Boutique hotel in Quanzhou city centre; D7: Hotel in Anxi; D8–D9: Hotel in Xiamen. - Admission ticket: Chenghuang Temple, Guangji Bridge, intangible cultural heritage Yingge Dance performance, making red peach kuku, Xunpu flower headdress travel photography, Southern music, puppet shows, Qingshui Temple, Anxi tea competition experience, Guandi Temple, Luojia Temple, Tulou ticket, Guilou, Kinmen Island. - Insurance: Personal travel accident insurance. ### Not Included - Personal expenses: Excluded: personal expenses, shopping, and other incidental costs. - Single supplement: For single occupancy, a supplementary room rate will apply. - Other Items: Items not mentioned above. - Dining: Meals at your own expense. ### Special Notes The following is a faithful listing of the original source material, with additional notes on items that depend on season, availability, or documentation requirements. - Minimum Group Size Requirements: Group booking for two or more people. - Golden Gate Sea Cross: On Day 9, take a round-trip ferry from Wutong Pier in Xiamen to Kinmen. Travellers holding foreign passports must apply separately for Taiwan entry clearance to enter Kinmen; we will verify your documents and processing timeline before you confirm the itinerary. If the permit cannot be obtained in time or does not apply, the day will be restructured with activities on Xiamen Island instead. - Intangible Cultural Heritage Yingge Dance: Yingge dance performances are scheduled according to the local performance calendar, with more shows during festivals and weekends. If there are no public shows on your dates, we will notify you in advance and arrange an alternative intangible cultural heritage live performance elsewhere in Chaozhou. - Southern Sounds and String Puppetry: The performance schedule for Quanzhou’s Southern Music and木偶戏 will be confirmed with you prior to your departure, according to the theatre's daily lineup. - Xunpu Floral Hairpin Photo Tour: Makeup and photography proceed according to the booked time slot on the day. In case of rain, the shoot moves to the covered walkway of the oyster-shell house and indoor settings; it will not be cancelled. - Tea picking: Tea picking on the ground follows the tea season, mainly in spring and autumn. During non-picking seasons, this is replaced by explanations of tea processing at the factory and a tea-tasting experience, with Oolong tea (Tieguanyin) still included. - Hotel: The exact hotel name will be as specified on your confirmation. “Or equivalent” always refers to hotels of the same category and comparable location. ## Is Ten Days Your Length? This is a 10-day/9-night itinerary, adjustable to your dates and travel party size. ### Ten days to cover the entire route Four days in eastern Guangdong, six days in southern Fujian — you’ll visit both the ancestral homelands of overseas Chinese, with not a single high-speed rail leg skipped in between. ### Not enough days We trim the itinerary, not the experience. Tell us what matters most to you, and we'll tailor the trip accordingly. ### With elderly or children You can take it even slower each day, and spend the entire day on Xiamen Island on the Golden Gate visit. ## Good to Know - Group departure: Minimum group size: 2 - Language: Full English-speaking guide - Shopping: The itinerary is entirely free of shopping stops or commission-driven detours. - Bespoke: Days, stops and pace can all be adjusted or rearranged — make all the changes before you confirm payment. - Import and Export Ports: Arrive Guangzhou, Depart Xiamen - Meals: Meals at your own expense; the guide will recommend and book according to your preferences. - Best Season: Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; tea harvesting seasons fall in spring and autumn, while Chaoshan and southern Fujian remain mild in winter ## Your Private Concierge Service - Name: Jenny - Title: China Private Travel Route Consultant - Tagline: A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys - Bio: Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route. - Avatar image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4g5K6CDX.webp ### Stats - 20+ Years - 300+ Trips designed - 24/7 On-trip care ### The Conversation Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your dates and who's coming — and if this length isn't right for you, we'll say so and shape a shorter arc. First reply within four hours; a clear price for your dates within one business day. - CTA: Start the conversation ### Step 01: Tell us what excites you Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there. - 24h: First concept delivered ### Step 02: We design it around you Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else. - 100%: Private, never off-the-shelf ### Step 03: Lock it in with 30% When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure. - 30%: Deposit to confirm ### Step 04: Travel. We handle the rest. Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for. - 24/7: Support throughout your journey - Cancellation terms agreed in writing - English-speaking concierge - Secure payment via Stripe - CTA: Talk to Us ## Guest Reviews - Overall rating: 4.9 - Total reviews: 523 - Count label: from 523 verified reviews 4.9 / 5 ### Platforms - google: 4.9 (312 reviews) - tripadvisor: 5.0 (211 reviews) - Filter tabs: All, Google, TripAdvisor - Emily Carter (🇺🇸 Seattle, USA · 5★ · May 2026 · google): Perfect for couples - My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all. - Claire Brooks (🇬🇧 London, UK · 5★ · Apr 2026 · tripadvisor): Great for families - Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip. - Laura Bennett (🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada · 5★ · Mar 2026 · google): Alisa made the whole experience easy - Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights. - Mark Henderson (🇺🇸 Denver, USA · 4★ · Feb 2026 · tripadvisor): Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly - Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless. - Rebecca Miller (🇺🇸 Boston, USA · 5★ · Jan 2026 · google): Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible. ## China Ready We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving. ### VPN & Internet Access - Badge: Do this before you fly - What's blocked: Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN. - Download before you leave: It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working. - Hotel Wi-Fi tip: Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops. - Good news: WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work. ### Paying in China - Badge: Your concierge sets this up on Day 1 - China is cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities. - International cards now work: Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning. - Carry some cash: We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns. - Booking this trip: Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees. ### Visa & Entry - Badge: We handle the paperwork - Do you need a visa?: Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval. - 240-hour visa-free transit: Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight. - Processing time: Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates. - What we provide: Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly. ### Safety & Practical Tips - Badge: Our responsibility, always - Is China safe?: China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. - Emergency numbers: Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary. - Health & medications: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically. - Language: English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller. ## Before You Book Everything worth knowing before you book. ### Will covering two provinces and nine cities in ten days be too rushed? This itinerary is paced around the principle of 'packing light': two nights in Jieyang, two nights in Xiamen, and after a late evening in Chaozhou, you'll return to your original room in Jieyang. The three intercity segments are covered by high-speed rail, with everything else handled by private car — no long day trips back and forth. Daily walking stays within old towns and villages, averaging 2 to 4 hours, with no mountain hiking. If this still feels too rushed, let us know; we'll remove a destination rather than compress each day. ### Meals are not included in the quote. How are daily meals arranged? Besides signature meals like braised goose banquet and Tulou private cuisine listed in the itinerary, all other meals will be recommended and booked by your guide based on your taste and location each day, with payment on the spot. This is because this route is essentially a culinary journey — locking in every meal in advance might make you miss the best local spots of the day. If you prefer all meals included, just let us know. We’ll draft a customized menu based on your preferences before providing a quote. ### We hold foreign passports — can we really visit Kinmen on the ninth day? A Taiwan entry permit must be applied for in advance and cannot be processed on the day of travel. We will review your passport and travel documents before you confirm your itinerary and let you know how long the process takes. If time is too short or the situation does not apply, Day 9 will be changed to explore the old town, coastline, and markets of Xiamen's main island, with a corresponding adjustment to the cost—you won't arrive at the pier only to find you can't proceed. ### Will I definitely be able to see performances like Yingge Dance, Nanyin music, and puppet shows? Yingge Dance showtimes follow the local schedule, with more performances during festivals and weekends; Nanyin and marionette shows are based on the theater's daily lineup. We confirm each event's availability for your dates before you depart, and notify you in advance of any substitutions—so you won't be left without options upon arrival. All these activities are included in your ticket. ### Both Teochew and Hokkien are difficult to understand. Will there be communication problems? Enjoy a full English-speaking guide, from pickup in Guangzhou to drop-off in Xiamen, without interruption. While locals chatting in Chaoshan or Minnan dialect won’t confuse you, it’s the temple fortune slips, operatic lyrics, and regional dish names that truly require line-by-line interpretation—precisely the core value our guide brings on this route. ### Ten days across two provinces and nine cities: is that too rushed? The pace is built around moving bags as little as possible: two nights in Jieyang, two in Xiamen, and the late night in Teochew still ends back in the same Jieyang room. Three inter-city legs are by high-speed rail and the rest are direct private transfers, with no same-day return trips. The walking each day is in old towns and villages, two to four hours, with no climbs. If it still feels tight, tell us and we will cut a region rather than compress the days. ### Meals are not included: how does eating work each day? Beyond the set meals written into the itinerary, such as the braised goose feast and the tulou home-style lunch, your guide recommends and books each meal around your tastes and where you are that day, paid locally. This route is a food route, and fixing every meal in advance would mean missing whatever is best on the day. If you would rather have all meals included, tell us and we will build a menu to your tastes before quoting. ### We hold foreign passports: can we really go to Kinmen on day nine? It requires an entry permit from the Taiwan side, applied for in advance, and it cannot be arranged on the day. We check your passports and documents with you before you confirm the itinerary and tell you how long the process takes. If there is not enough time or it does not apply to you, day nine is replaced with the old town, coastline and markets on Xiamen island, with the price adjusted accordingly, so nothing is discovered at the pier. ### Are the Yingge dance, Nanyin music and puppet show guaranteed? The Yingge dance follows local performance schedules, with more sessions around festivals and weekends; Nanyin and the marionettes follow the theatre's daily schedule. We confirm the sessions on your dates before you travel and tell you in advance what we are substituting if a session cannot be confirmed, rather than finding out on site. All of these are covered by the included tickets. ### Teochew and Minnan dialects are hard to follow: will communication be a problem? There is an English-speaking guide throughout, from the pickup in Guangzhou to the drop-off in Xiamen. The dialects are what local people speak among themselves and are not an obstacle for you; what does need someone to translate line by line are the fortune-stick verses, the opera and the dish names, and that is the guide's main work on this route. ### Is this route suitable for older parents or children? Yes. There are no climbs and no altitude; the most demanding parts are old town paving and raised temple thresholds. The rice cake making, the floral hairpin session and the tea picking all involve children easily. With older parents, day nine can be spent entirely on Xiamen island and the late evening in Teochew on day four can finish earlier; tell us the ages in your group and we will bring the density down.