5-Day Gulangyu, Xiamen Botanical Garden & Hakka Tulou Hot Spring Private Tour

From incense and rainforest mist to island villas and afternoon tea.

Essentials — Today you’ll visit Nanputuo Temple , view Xiamen University from outside, stroll the lush Xiamen Botanical Garden , then cross by ferry to Gulangyu Island for architecture, lanes and China’s “First Villa” with coffee and afternoon tea. Nanputuo Temple & Xiamen University (exterior) Nanputuo Temple , founded in the Tang dynasty, is one of the most important Buddhist temples in South Fujian. See Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Great Compassion Hall , and statues of Maitreya, the Three-World Buddhas, Avalokitesvara, the Four Heavenly Kings and 18 Arhats. Make a brief outside stop by Xiamen University for photos of one of China’s most beautiful campuses. ⏱ ≥40 min ｜ 🎟 Free entry (temple donations optional) ｜ 🚘 Private transfer ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Xiamen Botanical Garden (Wanshi Botanical Garden) Xiamen’s city botanical garden, set between mountains and sea, green all year round. Enter the “forest oxygen bar” tropical rainforest zone where fine mist hangs in the air and sunlight filters through to create beautiful Tyndall light beams . Learn about fascinating rainforest phenomena: epiphytic plants, strangler figs, “flowers growing on old trunks”, buttress roots, drip tips and more. Visit the succulent & cactus area , home to a two-story-tall cactus and many unique shapes – like lotus, beads or miniature trees – ideal for fun photos. ⏱ ≥90 min ｜ 🎟 Included: garden entry ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Lunch – Authentic Hong Kong-style Dim Sum Enjoy a local Hong Kong-style dim sum lunch , with small plates, steamed baskets and classic Cantonese-Minnan flavors. ⏱ ~60 min ｜ 🍽 Included: Hong Kong dim sum lunch ｜ 🚶 Easy Ferry to Gulangyu Island & Heritage Walk According to the day’s ferry schedule, board the boat to Gulangyu Island , the “Sea Music Garden”. Ferry ride takes about 20 minutes ; tickets for both directions are included. On the island (total time ≥3.5 hours), follow the World Architecture Expo Route , with stops by: The largest octopus sculpture in China (photo stop). Former British and Japanese consulates (exterior). Catholic church , Union Church , and Hai Tian Tang Gou (exterior) . Huang Rongyuan Hall (exterior) and the house of Zhong Nanshan’s grandmother . Visit Lin Qiaozhi Memorial Garden , honoring the “Mother of Ten Thousand Babies”. Check in at island-famous photo spots such as the “Most Beautiful Corner” and the “boat house” for your own travel snapshots. ⏱ ~3.5 h ｜ 🎟 Included: round-trip ferry ｜ 🚤 Ferry ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Afternoon tea & stamping at Nangang Fish Shop / candy gift store Visit Nangang Fish Shop / Sugar Gift souvenir store (~40 minutes) to: Pick up your Gulangyu stamp booklet . Enjoy fruit-flavor afternoon tea and local snacks. ⏱ ~40 min ｜ 🎟 Included: afternoon tea + booklet ｜ 🚶 Easy This experience spot is not a compulsory shopping stop ; free tasting and browsing, optional purchase only. China’s “First Villa” – Huang Family Garden Visit Huang Family Garden (Zhongdeji Villa) , built by patriotic overseas Chinese businessman Huang Yizhu , known as “China’s First Villa” on Gulangyu. Elegant European-style architecture, vintage chandeliers and carved doors&windows create a noble old-world atmosphere. From the courtyard, enjoy views of Gulangyu’s streets, sea and greenery , while sipping coffee and afternoon tea with pastries. The villa once hosted Chiang Kai-shek (five stays) and received notable international guests such as Nixon and Lee Kuan Yew , adding layers of historical charm. ⏱ ~1–1.5 h ｜ 🎟 Entry + coffee/tea included ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Free time & dinner on Gulangyu (self-paid) About 40 minutes of free time on Longtou Road commercial street : Try snacks, shop for souvenirs and take photos in popular spots like Zhang Sanfeng Milk Tea, Miss Zhao’s Shop, Tong Xiao Man and more. Optionally walk to Hougangzai Beach to feel the sea breeze. Return to Xiamen and your hotel in the evening. Meals / Stay — B / L / D = ✔ / ✔ / — ｜ Xiamen city hotel

Hakka round earth buildings by day, hot springs by night.

Essentials — Today you leave Xiamen for the Yongding Hongkeng Hakka Tulou cluster , often called a living museum of tulou architecture. Explore several famous tulou including the “Tulou Prince” Zhencheng Lou , enjoy Hakka round-basket lunch and bamboo-tray banquet, watch an immersive tulou light show , then relax in a 4-diamond hot spring resort . Xiamen → Yongding Hongkeng Tulou Pick-up from Gulangyu pier or Xiamen city pier and drive about 3 hours to Yongding. Tulou areas are in the mountains with no direct highway, so the ride is longer; there is a 20-minute break at a highway service area en route. ⏱ ~3 h ｜ 🚘 Private car/coach ｜ 🚶 Easy Hakka Round-Basket Lunch Arrive at the tulou area and enjoy a Hakka round-basket lunch , featuring local specialties and farmhouse dishes to fuel up for the afternoon visit. ⏱ ~60 min ｜ 🍽 Included: Hakka round-basket lunch ｜ 🚶 Easy Hongkeng Hakka Tulou – “Tulou Prince” Scenic Area Spend about 4 hours visiting the Hongkeng tulou cluster , nicknamed the “Tulou Prince Museum” : Zhencheng Lou – “Tulou Prince” : the most luxurious and ornate tulou, with twin circular rings, a central ancestral hall and rich carvings. Rusheng Lou – “Mini Round Tulou” : one of the smallest round tulou, compact yet complete. Kuiju Lou – Potala-style tulou : tiered layout stepping up the hillside. Fuyu Lou – government-mansion-style tulou : resembles a small Chinese yamen with courtyards and halls. The tulou and surrounding terraces, streams and villages form a pastoral scene often described as a “mythical mountain architecture museum” . ⏱ ~4 h ｜ 🎟 Included: Hongkeng tulou ticket ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Hakka Bamboo-Tray Banquet at Tulou Youxi Dinner at Tulou Youxi Restaurant , enjoying a Hakka簸箕宴 (bamboo-tray banquet) with a variety of dishes served on large bamboo trays. When available, watch a Hakka wedding performance : see traditional dress, processions and rituals that reflect the solemnity and charm of Hakka marriage customs. (If the performance is suspended due to local reasons, there is no refund.) ⏱ ~60 min ｜ 🍽 Included: bamboo-tray banquet ｜ 🚶 Easy Immersive Tulou Light Show (3D Projection) After dinner, enjoy an immersive night-time tulou light show at Zhencheng Lou, telling the story of Hakka migration and life through 3D projections and lighting. Summer schedule: roughly 19:00–21:00 ; winter: roughly 18:30–20:30 (subject to scenic-area updates). ⏱ ~30–40 min ｜ 🎟 Included (if operational) ｜ 🚶 Easy Yongding Hot Spring Resort – Kedu International (or similar) Transfer to Yongding Kedu International Resort for a hot spring stay. Each room includes 2 complimentary hot-spring entries . Hot spring tips Bring your own swimsuit/swim trunks and a set of clothes to change after soaking. Use body lotion or moisturizer after the bath; bring sunscreen for daytime outdoor areas. Resorts usually provide slippers and towels; consider a waterproof pouch for your phone. Avoid soaking on a completely empty stomach or immediately after a very full meal; keep 1–2 hours interval. Guests with severe heart disease, high blood pressure or other conditions should consult a doctor first and soak with caution. Meals / Stay — B / L / D = ✔ / ✔ / ✔ ｜ Yongding hot spring hotel

Old streets, Minnan culture show and nostalgic campus views.

Essentials — After breakfast, head to Zhangzhou Ancient City , then back to Xiamen to visit the Old Courtyard Scenic Area and watch the “Minnan Legend Show” , followed by a stop at Jimei School Village before returning to your hotel. Zhangzhou Ancient City Drive about 1.5–2 hours to Zhangzhou Ancient City , located in the bustling commercial center yet preserving many historic buildings and traditional neighborhoods. Famous for its five features: “old street charm, slow life, Minnan flavor, Republican-era style and Taiwan & overseas-Chinese ties” . A popular filming location for celebrities and variety shows because of its unique atmosphere and well-preserved old streets. ⏱ ≥60 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Lunch – Minnan Ginger Duck Enjoy a local Minnan ginger duck lunch, with warming flavors and classic side dishes. ⏱ ~60 min ｜ 🍽 Included: Minnan ginger duck ｜ 🚶 Easy Old Courtyard Scenic Area & “Minnan Legend Show” Visit Old Courtyard Scenic Area (4A) , with traditional Minnan red-brick courtyard houses and folk culture displays. Stroll ethnic & folk-style streets , experiencing reconstructed Minnan fishing villages and old houses. Watch the 360° indoor “Minnan Legend Show” , a stage performance with six chapters: Chaos & birth of Ludao (Xiamen); Island under fire & heroic resistance; Voyages to Nanyang; Fishing village dreams; Descendants of the dragon; Blessings for China. The show uses music, dance, acrobatics and multi-media to condense the spirit and history of Minnan culture . ⏱ ~120 min ｜ 🎟 Included: Old Courtyard + show ｜ 🚶 Easy Jimei School Village After the show, drive to Jimei School Village , a campus and education complex founded by renowned overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee . See Longzhou Pool , famous for Dragon Boat Festival races, and admire the unique blend of Chinese and Western architecture. ⏱ ≥40 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy Return to Xiamen city hotel in the evening; dinner is self-arranged around the hotel. Meals / Stay — B / L / D = ✔ / ✔ / — ｜ Xiamen city hotel

Goodbye, Xiamen and tulou.

Essentials — Sleep in and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. If you have an early flight, ask the front desk to prepare a packed breakfast the night before. If your flight is later, store luggage at the front desk after check-out ( before 12:00 noon ) and enjoy some free time until pickup. Your driver will transfer you to Xiamen Airport or railway station (usually 2 hours before flight, 1 hour before train ) for your onward journey. ⏱ 30–60 min transfer ｜ 🎟 Included: 1× private drop-off ｜ 🚘 Private car/van ｜ 🚶 Easy During your own free time on this day, transportation, meals and sightseeing are not included, other than the single-drop-off transfer. Meals / End — B / L / D = ✔ / — / — ｜ Tour ends