Xiamen, Quanzhou Tulou and Zhangzhou

Three days on Xiamen Island, plus a Quanzhou day trip, one night at the Nanjing tulou cluster, and a return via Zhangzhou's Old Town.

A one-week itinerary based in Xiamen. The first three days cover Zhongshan Road, Gulangyu, Xiamen University and Huandao Road. On day four, take the high-speed train to Quanzhou. On day five, visit the Nanjing tulou cluster and stay one night around Tianluokeng for the night views. On day six, see the film set of Yunshuiyao, then return via Zhangzhou's Old Town for braised noodles. On the last day, visit Jimei and leave from the airport. The mountain roads to the tulou are long, so a hired car or a shared car is more convenient.

Mountain roads to the tulou are slippery in the rainy season. Typhoons in summer may affect ferry services.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Zhongshan Road Bashi Market

Xiamen（Xiamen No.8 Market、Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street、Lujiang Road Waterfront）

Take a taxi or the metro from the airport to Zhongshan Road, about 30 minutes. Walk around Bashi Market, the pedestrian street and Lujiang Road.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 2 · A Day on Gulangyu

Xiamen（Gulangyu Island、Longtou Road、Sunlight Rock、Shuzhuang Garden、Gangzaihou Beach）

Take a ferry from Dongdu Cruise Terminal to the island, about 20 minutes. Walk around the island.

Book ferry tickets at least three days in advance.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 3 · Xiamen University, Nanputuo and Huandao Road

Xiamen（South Putuo Temple、Xiamen University、Hulishan Fortress、Island Ring Road、Zengcuoan）

Take a bus to Nanputuo Temple, then walk into Xiamen University. In the afternoon, cycle or take a bus along Huandao Road to Hulishan and Zengcuo'an, then take a taxi back in the evening.

Avoid cycling at midday. Book Xiamen University in advance.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 4 · Quanzhou Old Town Day Trip

Quanzhou Urban Area（Quanzhou Confucian Temple、Zhongshan Road & Bell Tower、West Street (Xijie)、Kaiyuan Temple & Twin Pagodas、Tonghuai Guanyue Temple）

Take a high-speed train from Xiamen Railway Station to Quanzhou Station, about 30 minutes. Walk around the Old Town or take a small electric car. Return to Xiamen by high-speed train in the evening.

The night views at Guanyue Temple are good. Don't take the return train too early.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 5 · Nanjing Tianluokeng Tulou

Fujian Tulou (Yongding & Nanjing)（Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster、Yuchang Lou、Taxia Village）

Hire a car or take a direct scenic-area bus from Xiamen to Shuyang, about 2.5 hours. Travel between the tulou by scenic-area bus or hired car.

Beware of low-price touts by the roadside. Buy tickets through the official scenic-area channels.

Stay: Shuyang & Tianluokeng

Day 6 · Yunshuiyao and Zhangzhou Old Town

Fujian Tulou (Yongding & Nanjing)（Hekeng Tulou Cluster、Yunshuiyao Ancient Town & Hegui Lou、Huaiyuan Lou） → Zhangzhou Old Town & Volcanic Island（Zhangzhou Old Town、Zhangzhou Confucian Temple）

Take a bus from Shuyang to Yunshuiyao, about 30 minutes. Then travel to Zhangzhou Old Town, about 1.5 hours. Return to Xiamen in the evening, about 1 hour.

For dinner in Zhangzhou Old Town, try braised noodles and four-fruit soup.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 7 · Jimei School Village and Departure

Xiamen（Jimei School Village、Aoyuan Garden (Tan Kah Kee Tomb)）

Take Metro Line 1 to Jimei School Village, about 40 minutes. After walking around, take a taxi to the airport, about 25 minutes.

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