ChinaCities and culture · Coasts and lakes · Food and local life
Xiamen, Fujian tulou and Quanzhou in five days
Give the coastal city, earthen tulou buildings and maritime old town their own days. Link Xiamen and Quanzhou sensibly and choose one tulou cluster instead of racing across several counties.
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Places along the way
View the route on a map-
Xiamen
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Nanjing tulou, Fujian
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Quanzhou
Pace, season and who it suits
Pace Three nights in Xiamen and one in Quanzhou, with a full tulou excursion day.
Season Spring and autumn are generally comfortable; heat, rain and typhoons can affect summer coastal and ferry plans.
Who it suits Culture-minded travellers who enjoy coastal cities, architecture and food without long transfers every day.
Xiamen’s coastal walks
Courtyards of Fujian tulou
Quanzhou’s maritime history
01 Day 1
Xiamen
Arrive by the coast and settle in
Check in and take a short coastal walk near your accommodation. Try a simple Minnan-style dinner and leave time to rest, without combining an island visit and night sightseeing on arrival evening.
02 Day 2
Xiamen
Choose Gulangyu or an easy city-coast day
Choose Gulangyu if suitable ferry reservations are available, or stay with the city’s coastal areas. The island involves walking, so allow a seated midday break and avoid trying to climb to every viewpoint.
03 Day 3
Nanjing tulou, Fujian
Focus on one tulou cluster
Dedicate the day to one Nanjing tulou cluster, counting the road journey in your plan. Explore structures and shared spaces, ask before entering lived-in homes, and return to Xiamen after a relaxed lunch.
04 Day 4
Quanzhou
Continue to Quanzhou and one old-town area
Take the confirmed train to Quanzhou, check in and focus on Kaiyuan Temple and nearby lanes. Follow visiting rules at religious sites and leave an afternoon break rather than collecting every heritage location.
05 Day 5
Quanzhou
A local breakfast before departure
Enjoy a local breakfast and a short walk if departure time allows. If flying from Xiamen, include both the intercity journey and airport transfer rather than filling the final half-day with additional monuments.
DATES, COMPANIONS AND STOPS
Where would you like to spend more time?
Bring this itinerary and tell us your dates, travel companions and the places you most want to keep.
Enquire about this itinerary’s arrangementsBefore you travel3
- Choose the tulou area carefully
- Nanjing county in Fujian is not Nanjing city; different tulou clusters also require additional driving.
- Check ferries and weather separately
- Check official Gulangyu booking and identification requirements and keep a city-coast alternative for poor weather.
- Do not turn Quanzhou into a checklist
- Choose one old-town area and balance religious sites, lanes and food stops with rest.
Itinerary and preparation
The itinerary can adapt to your dates, companions and interests. Bookings, transport and services are confirmed for the actual plan.
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