Posted 2016/9/7
Visit Xiamen, a laid back city in Fujian province. A former treaty port, Xiamen still possess much of its colonial charm epitomized in architecture and ambience on Gulangyu Island.
Marvel at earthen tulou, the massive circular homes built by the Hakka people, each home to many families and generations.
Fujian province is little known to travelers, but is a beautiful province blessed with pleasant weather all year round. Fujian has a long coastline and a wild interior countryside. The highlights of the southern part of the province are the port city of Xiamen, a repository of costal China's old European-style architecture, and the extraordinary villages of the Hakka peoples who settled in the area almost a thousand years ago.
Our route on this trip takes us first to Xiamen, formerly known as Amoy, where we stroll around the island of Gulangyu, admiring the European-style architecture and the old-fashioned atmosphere of this former foreign concession. Inland, we shall tour several of the extraordinary Hakka earthen (tulou) villages, learning about the lives and customs of this sub-group of Han Chinese. We will also have a chance to do some light hiking in the beautiful countryside of Fujian. This itinerary opens you to a part of China little known to foreigners, but rich in culture.
Featured Trip Plan:
Day 1: Arrive in Xiamen and explore the city. Overnight in hotel by the sea.
Day 2: Travel to Yongding via Nanjing. Visit the Tianluokeng circular buildings. Overnight in Yongding.
Day 3: In the morning, visit the Chuxi Circular buildings, and visit the Nanxi building group in the afternoon. End the day at the massive Chengqi House, home to 80 families and more than 600 people.
Day 4: Return to Xiamen via Zhangzhou. Spend the day and evening enjoying the peace and quiet of Gulangyu Island. Overnight in one of Gulangyu's many guest houses.
Day 5: Depart Xiamen.
