Subtropical Fujian Province is blessed with a lovely coastline, mountains of tea, rural villages, and laid-back coastal cities. We spent ten days there last Christmas, and our Fujian Province itinerary took us from Xiamen to Wuyishan and to the Tulou villages before we ended up in Xiamen again.
If you, too, yearn to explore tea mountains, mysterious Hakka clan villages, and a colonial-era treaty port (all of which are UNESCO-recognized), this one-week itinerary for Fujian province is made just for you.
Besides UNESCO sites, Fujian is also an excellent destination for those looking to relax, spend time in nature, and, of course, indulge in exceptional food. Travelling in Fujian province is a colourful, tasty and enjoyable experience.
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- Why Visit Fujian Province?
- 10 Days Fujian Province Itinerary: Overview
- Our Fujian Province Travel Itinerary: Detailed Breakdown
- Day 1: Arrival in Xiamen
- Day 2: Xiamen to Wuyishan by Train
- Day 3-4: Exploring Wuyishan
- Day 5: Wuyishan – Nanjing Tulou by Train
- Day 6: Explore the Tulou in Yongding & Nanjing County
- Day 7: Nanjing Tulou to Xiamen by Train
- Day 8-9 Xiamen Sightseeing & Hot Springs
- Day 10: Gulangyu Island
- Day 11: Xiamen Departure
Why Visit Fujian Province?
Fujian province just felt different for us. While we have never been to Taiwan, we picture it being something like Fujian province.
The other places we visited in China before Fujian all shouted CHINAAAAA!!! Fujian felt unique, and it was definitely a lot more laid-back. While Fujian province is undeniably Chinese, something about the subtropical vegetation, colourful temples and shrines, and laid-back cities just feels different from China, which we have known so far.
We often told ourselves that Fujian reminded us of Southeast Asia in many ways.
Ok, so Fujian is unique. Jolly good.
Fujian Province is an ideal destination for second-time visitors to China or for those looking to see the best of China in one big trip
Located halfway between Shanghai and Hong Kong, Fujian makes an ideal stop when travelling between the two. You’ll get to see the immense contrasts of what China ultimately is: Glitzy mega cities and rural villages sprinkled over incredible nature.
When there is no global pandemic*, regular ferries run between Xiamen in China and Taichung in Taiwan. We think that Taiwan and Fujian would be an outstanding combination, so when *this is all over, a ferry trip between Xiamen and Taiwan is definitely on the cards.
Update 2024: Xiamen – Taichung ferries remain suspended.
Even on its own, Fujian province is an excellent destination. Unknown to most foreign visitors to China, Fujian charms visitors with her hidden gems. Hidden gems only to foreigners, as all Chinese know that Fujian province has some of the country’s best rural villages, tea, nature, and vibrant cities.
10 Days Fujian Province Itinerary: Overview
Our Fujian Province Travel Plan: Xiamen > Wuyishan > Tulou Villages > Xiamen
We caught a flight Friday night after work and arrived in Xiamen a few hours later. This gave us an entire week bookended by two weekends to explore Fujian. We flew back home on Monday morning since this day was a public holiday.
If you have to squeeze it into one week, stay in Xiamen only for one night only, dividing your time between sightseeing and going to the hot springs.
- Day 1: Arrival in Xiamen & Airport Hotel
- Day 2: Xiamen- Wuyishan by train
- Day3-4: Wuyishan
- Day 5: Wuyishan – Nanjing Tulou by train
- Day 6: Explore the Tulou villages in Yongding & Nanjing county
- Day 7: Nanjing Tulou – Xiamen by train
- Day 8-9: Xiamen
- Day 10: Overnight on Gulangyu Island
- Day 11: Depart Xiamen
Our Fujian Province Travel Itinerary: Detailed Breakdown
Day 1: Arrival in Xiamen
We arrived at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) after 20:00 on Friday night. This left us no choice but to stay overnight in Xiamen.
We booked a room at the Holiday Inn Express and got a taxi from the airport, which got us to the hotel in about 10 minutes. The hotel is conveniently located near the airport and Xiamen North Railway Station.
The hotel was brand spanking new, with comfy, clean rooms and helpful staff.
A nice breakfast spread (mostly Chinese style, but also cereal and toast) is included in your room rate.
Where to Stay near Xiamen Airport:
Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone
Day 2: Xiamen to Wuyishan by Train
Xiamen to Wuyishan Trains
Book your Xiamen – Wuyishan train tickets
Several high-speed trains run daily between Xiamen North and Wuyishan North Railway Stations. Trains depart Xiamen North at 08:17, 12:32, 13:14 and 15:51. The journey should take about 3.5 hours to reach Wuyishan North.
Second-class tickets start at RMB 209. Second class is very descent, and we always travel this way. If you want to sit in a Lazyboy, first class is also available.
Make sure you book your tickets to WUYISHAN NORTH, and not NANPING. Nanping is very far away from Wuyishan still, and a taxi from there will bankrupt you.
From Wuyishan North, you will need to get a Didi or taxi to take you to the town of Wuyishan at the gate of the Wuyishan National Park and Scenic Area.
Day 3-4: Exploring Wuyishan
Dome-shaped mountains begging to be climbed, weird caves, river rafting and drinking the best tea in China are just a few things to look forward to in Wuyishan National Park.
Wuyishan is incredibly beautiful and quickly became one of the places we’ll visit again in China. You can easily spend a week here hiking between mountain peaks and tea gardens, enjoying the fantastic nature.
With two days in Wuyishan, the best things to do are:
- Climb Tianyou Peak for the best view in Wuyishan
- Float down the Nine-Bend River on a bamboo raft
- Explore the weird cave called A Thread of Sky
- Hike along the Rock Tea Trail
- See the original Da Hong Pao tea bushes (the most expensive tea in the world)
- Drink Oolong rock tea with monks at the hidden temples between the tea gardens
- Feel like a dwarf under the gigantic Water Curtain
- Watch the amazing Impression Da Hong Pao performance. (Book your tickets in advance)
- Eat Da Hong Pao icecream
- Go for a tea tasting at a tea shop
Where to Stay in Wuyishan:
Ancient Street No3 Tea Hotel
Read More:
A Guide to the Wuyi Mountains: China’s Ancient Tea Capital
Day 5: Wuyishan – Nanjing Tulou by Train
There might be, or there might not be, direct trains between Wuyishan and the Tulou clusters in Nanjing county. During our trip, there were two direct trains a day from Nanpingshi (南平市) to Nanjing (南靖火车站).
Don’t confuse Nanjing (Fujian) with Nanjing (the capital of Jiangsu). You want to get to Nanjing FUJIAN (南靖火车站).
We can’t seem to find these direct trains anymore. In this case, it’s best to return to Xiamen North and transfer there to a train to Nanjing (南靖火车站).
Several trains run between Xiamen North and Nanjing (南靖火车站) daily, and the travel time is about 40 minutes. See the schedule and book Xiamen-Nanjing (Fujian) train tickets here.
Nanjing train station is still quite a distance from the tulou and Hakka villages. We arranged with our guesthouse at Tianluokeng Tulou to send a driver to pick us up at the train station.
The drive through mountainous rural Fujian to Tianluokeng Tulou takes about 1.5 hours.
Once you get to Tianluokeng Tulou, check into your guesthouse and arrange with your driver about a sightseeing tour of the tulou villages the next day.
Day 6: Explore the Tulou in Yongding & Nanjing County
Thousands of doughnut-shaped mud castles lay scattered across the Fujian countryside. Exploring these villages and driving through a landscape of rice, tea, banana and tobacco fields is rural China at its best.
UNESCO recognizes the Fujian tulou as an outstanding example of human settlement in harmony with nature and communal living.
The best way to visit these unique structures and see a slice of undiluted rural China is to get a driver for the day and hop from one stunning village to the next.
Top Attractions in Tulou County:
- See the Four Dishes and One Soup in Tianluokeng
- Explore the maze-like Chengqi (King) Tulou in Yongding
- Walk between giant banyan trees in Yunshuiyao Village
- Admire the Huaiyuan and Hegui tulou
- See the totem poles and Zhang Family’s Ancestral Hall in Taixa village
- Decide if the Yuchang Tulou deserves the title of China’s Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Enjoy delicious Hakka food
Where to Stay When Visiting the Fujian Tulou:
Tianluokeng No.1 Guesthouse
Read More:
How to Visit the Hakka Villages & Tulou
Day 7: Nanjing Tulou to Xiamen by Train
After a traditional Hakka breakfast, head back to Nanjing Station to catch a train to Xiamen. You can expect to arrive back in the 21 century around lunchtime.
In Xiamen, check into your hotel near Zhongshan Road, the most famous street in the city. Xiamen is a laid-back city with a youthful, energetic vibe and best explored on foot.
Nanjing to Xiamen Trains
Book your train tickets here
Day 8-9 Xiamen Sightseeing & Hot Springs
Spend your two days in Xiamen, stuffing yourself with delicious street food, exploring its creative hotspots, colourful temples, and simply unwinding.
Much of subtropical Xiamen’s charm lies in eating and simply being rather than active sightseeing. Between meals and chilling, Xiamen does have some good things to see and do, though.
What to do With 2 days in Xiamen
- Admire the exquisite Nanputuo Temple
- Take a few selfies on the quirky Ding’aozai Cat Street
- Catch the artsy vibes in Shapowei Art Zone
- Cheers with a craft beer at FatFat Beer Horse
- Spend an entire day soaking and unwinding at the Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort. Buy your tickets online
- Have dim sum at 潮福城大酒楼 (Chaofu City Restaurant)
- Stroll along Zhongshan Road and snack on street food
- Enjoy some of the city’s stunning parks or botanical garden
- Visit Xiamen University, one of the prettiest campuses in Asia
Where to Stay in Xiamen
Ji Hotel (Zhongshan Road)
Read More:
Top Things to do in Xiamen
Day 10: Gulangyu Island
Yet another UNESCO site awaits just off the coast of Xiamen. According to the Chinese Tourism Administration, Gulangyu Island is an AAAAA tourist attraction (only the best of the best can achieve this status) and is among the province’s top ten places to visit.
While most will know that the best example of colonial architecture is the Shanghai Bund, few know that the second-best place is Gulangyu Island, a short ferry ride from Xiamen.
Gulangyu is a former treaty port, and, during its heyday, it was home to 13 foreign countries that settled there. They built mansions, consulates, social clubs, schools and churches, which are still here today.
While it is a very popular day trip from Xiamen, spending a night on the island is just grand. Book yourself into a colonial villa and bask in the subtropical, faded grandeur of this former international settlement in China.
What to See & Do on Gulangyu Island
- Climb the steps up Sunlight Rock for the best view
- See the gigantic statue of Koxinga at Haoyue Park
- Eat Ginger Duck
- Drink milk tea at Zhangshan Feng Cat Milk Tea Shop
- Wander along the pedestrian-only streets and explore the mansions, churches and consulates
- Enjoy one of the island’s sandy beaches
Where to Stay on Gulangyu Island
Yuezhiyun
Read More:
How to Spend a Day on Gulangyu Island
Day 11: Xiamen Departure
This is the last day of your Fujian Province itinerary. When it’s time to catch your flight or train back home, reluctantly zip up your bag and take the ferry back to Xiamen.
Ten days is just the right amount of time to see the best attractions in Fujian province.
If we had one or two more days, we would have loved to include Quanzhou in our Fujian itinerary. Quanzhou is yet another UNESCO city dating back to medieval times. It is also the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.
Xiapu, farther north, with its fishing villages and mudflats, is any photographer’s wet dream. With even more time, Xiapu would be a great place to add to our itinerary.
We hope you enjoy Fujian as much as we did. If you have any questions when planning your own Fujian Province itinerary, drop us a question in the comments below and we’ll try our best to help
This looks amazing! I have seen beautiful Beijing, Zhangjjiajie & Changsha. I would love to go on this trip.
Hi Jin & De Wet…It was a fantastic post. I am interested to go to Fujian province for 10 days with few friends. Is it hard to navigate around to all the places that you mentioned with luggage but without a tour guide?
Thanks,
Yuen
Hi Yuen,
Fujian is a great choice! Luggage shouldn’t be a problem. We traveled with about 25kg in a suitcase with wheels. Getting on trains and taxis was easy and we never had to carry it too far. Get on the train , get off the train , get in taxi and get dropped right at your hotel. Easy peasy.
Enjoy your trip!