5-Day Xiamen, Nanao Island & Chaozhou Private Tour

Sky-deck views, art harbor stroll and “sea garden” island.

Essentials — After breakfast, discover Xiamen from above, at street level and from the sea: Star Coast , Cloud-Top Xiamen Observatory , Shapowei & Art West District , then Gulangyu Island with afternoon tea. Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Star Coast A seafront “new landmark” themed around the Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival. Walk the star corridor , see celebrity handprints and enjoy sea views near Yanwu Bridge. ⏱ ~30–40 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚘 Private transfer ｜ 🚶 Easy Cloud-Top Xiamen Observatory (Yunshang Xiamen) About 300 m high with 1,300 m² of 360° glass observation deck . Overlook Gulangyu, Xiamen University, Nanputuo Temple, Huandao Road and both old and new districts . Perfect spot for panoramic photos on clear days. ⏱ ≥60 min ｜ 🎟 Included: observatory ticket ｜ 🚘 Private transfer ｜ 🚶 Easy Art West District & Shapowei Harbor Former fishing harbor turned art and café block . Walk along the wooden boardwalk, watch fishing boats and enjoy coffee or juice with harbor views. Continue to “Old Xiamen Food Street” , with famous stalls like Yubao Sao and other local favorites. ⏱ ~1–1.5 h ｜ 🎟 Free stroll ｜ 🚘 Private transfer ｜ 🚶 Easy Gulangyu Island Take a ferry (~20 minutes) to Gulangyu, known as a “Sea Garden City” and “Piano Island”. Follow the World Architecture Expo Route past British and Japanese consulates (exterior), Catholic church, Union Church, Hai Tian Tang Gou (exterior), Huang Rongyuan Hall (exterior) and Lin Qiaozhi Memorial Garden , learning about overseas Chinese history. Check in at popular photo spots like the “Most Beautiful Corner” and the “boat house” . Afternoon tea & free time on Gulangyu At Nangang Fish Shop (or similar), enjoy fruit tea and local snacks , and receive a Gulangyu stamp booklet . About 40 minutes of free time on Longtou Road or Hougangzai Beach to hunt for snacks, explore little shops and stroll along the shoreline. ⏱ ~3.5 h on island ｜ 🎟 Included: ferry + afternoon tea ｜ 🚤 Public ferry ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Street shops and snack bars on Gulangyu are independent businesses and not arranged shopping stops. You can browse or skip them freely. Meals / Stay — B / L / D = ✔ / — / — ｜ Xiamen 4–5★ hotel

From city skyline to “Oriental Hawaii” and oyster fields.

Essentials — Drive from Xiamen to Shantou, enjoy street-food heaven at Longyan Road Food Street , cross Nanao Bridge to Nanao Island, see the Qianjiang Bay waterfront , sip afternoon tea at a glass-skywalk café , relax on Qingao Bay beach , visit the Tropic of Cancer “Gate of Nature” and experience a fish-raft oyster field . Xiamen → Shantou & Longyan Road Food Street Drive about 256 km (~3.5 hours) to Shantou. Stop at Longyan Road Food Street , famous for affordable and abundant night snacks : Local specialties such as Teochew rice rolls, sweet soups, rice noodles, congee, oyster omelets, claypot porridge, marinated seafood and more . ⏱ ~3.5 h driving + 1–1.5 h food street ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚘 Private transfer ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Nanao Bridge & Qianjiang Bay Seafront Cross Nanao Bridge , linking Guangdong’s only island county to the mainland, with sweeping sea views. Stop at Qihang Square Lighthouse , a bright red landmark at the island gateway, perfect for photos with the bridge in the background. Enjoy Qianjiang Bay Seafront Road , nicknamed the “new Nanao Bund”, with panoramic views reminiscent of Victoria Harbour. ⏱ ~1–1.5 h combined ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚘 Private transfer ｜ 🚶 Easy High-Altitude Glass Skywalk Café Visit Nanao’s glass skywalk restaurant , perched above the sea. Enjoy afternoon tea while taking in 360° views of the sea and hills – ideal for photos and a relaxing break. ⏱ ~1 h ｜ 🎟 Café admission often linked to set tea (details on site) ｜ 🚶 Easy Qingao Bay Beach Qingao Bay is known as the “Oriental Hawaii” of Nanao Island. Fine sand, gentle waves and clear sea, suitable for beach walks, paddling and photos . ⏱ ~80 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy Tropic of Cancer “Gate of Nature” Square China’s only Tropic of Cancer marker tower built on an island , located at the east end of Qingao Bay. The spherical structure is designed like a space capsule and can withstand strong typhoons. From here you can also see one of the largest coastal wind farms along the horizon. ⏱ ~40 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy Fish-Raft Experience – Oyster Fields & Sea Fun Head to an offshore fish raft for hands-on experience: View white egret habitats , cruise the “rainbow sea”, pass through vast oyster fields , watch oyster harvesting, try prying oysters , crab-trap fun, simple sea fishing and playful encounters with pufferfish. Enjoy fresh oysters processed on site (according to local hygiene and safety rules). ⏱ ~1.5–2 h ｜ 🎟 Boat & experience usually included in packaged activity ｜ 🚤 Boat ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate After the activities, check in to your Nanao Island 4★ sea-view hotel and relax by the coast. Meals / Stay — B / L / D = ✔ / — / — ｜ Nanao Island 4★ hotel

Overseas Chinese mansions, drum beats and ancient city walls.

Essentials — Leave Nanao for nearby Chenghai & Chaozhou . Visit Chen Cihong Residence for grand Lingnan architecture and Yingge dance , then explore Chaozhou Ancient City : Taiping Road Paifang Street, Kaiyuan Temple, city walls, Guangji Gate Tower and riverfront views of Xiangzi Bridge , before returning to Xiamen in the evening. Chen Cihong Residence & Yingge Dance Known as “Lingnan’s No.1 Overseas Chinese Residence” , a massive compound started around 1910 with over 500 rooms. Walk through richly decorated courtyards, intricate carvings and maze-like corridors. Learn about Yingge dance , a powerful folk performance that combines southern-style martial arts and local opera – full of rhythm, drumbeats and heroic energy. ⏱ ~60 min ｜ 🎟 Included: residence ticket ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Chaozhou Ancient City & Taiping Road Paifang Street Head to Chaozhou , a national historical and cultural city. Stroll Taiping Road Paifang Street , renowned for having numerous archways , and gathering Teochew snacks, handicrafts, woodcarving, embroidery and more. Explore Jiadi Alley , lined with traditional mansions with “four-point gold” layouts and carved doors. ⏱ ~1–1.5 h ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Teochew Food Recommendations (self-pay) Many famous snacks: spring pancakes, beef rice noodles, fish dumplings, oyster omelets, beef balls, various Teochew cakes and sweet soups . Suggested shops (sample): Shuangsheng Rice Rolls, Huayi Old Cinema Juice Ice, Yongji Snack Shop, Lao Wei Almond Tea, Shibaqu Fish Dumplings , etc. Kaiyuan Temple One of Guangdong’s most important Buddhist temples , with more than 1,260 years of history . Known as a “pearl of ancient architectural art” for its majestic halls and layout. ⏱ ~40 min ｜ 🎟 Usually free or small donation ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Ancient City Wall, Guangji Gate & View of Xiangzi Bridge Walk along the Song-Ming city walls and Guangji Gate Tower , overlooking the Han River. Stroll the riverside culture promenade , enjoying views of Xiangzi Bridge , one of China’s four famous ancient bridges and the world’s earliest opening-type bridge. (Viewing from outside; not going onto the bridge in this itinerary.) ⏱ ~40–60 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy Drive back to Xiamen after sightseeing. Meals / Stay — B / L / D = ✔ / — / — ｜ Xiamen 4–5★ hotel

Temple incense, coastal color lanes and farewell to Xiamen.

Essentials — After breakfast, explore Nanputuo Temple , enjoy the views along Huandao Road , stroll Zengcuoan Village , then transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey. Nanputuo Temple & Xiamen University (exterior) Nanputuo Temple dates back to the Tang dynasty and is one of South Fujian’s most important Buddhist temples. See Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Great Compassion Hall and more. Brief stop outside Xiamen University for photos of this famously beautiful campus, nestled between sea and hills. ⏱ ≥40 min ｜ 🎟 Free entry (donations optional) ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate Colorful Huandao Road Walk part of Xiamen’s iconic coastal route , with colored cycling lanes, beaches and palm trees – a postcard-perfect seaside stroll. ⏱ ≥40 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy Zengcuoan Creative Village Once a small fishing village, now a creative snack village known as an “original Minnan eco village”. Discover internet-famous snack shops such as fish balls, sha-cha noodles, thick toast and herbal desserts in lively alleyways. ⏱ ≥40 min ｜ 🎟 Free ｜ 🚶 Easy–Moderate After sightseeing, your driver will take you directly to Xiamen airport or railway station . On this day, you bring your luggage with you in the vehicle; there is no return to the hotel after touring. ⏱ 30–60 min transfer ｜ 🎟 Included: 1× private drop-off ｜ 🚘 Private car/van ｜ 🚶 Easy Suggested departure times: after 16:00 to allow comfortable touring and transfer. Airport drop-off is usually 2 hours before flight; North Station drop-off about 1 hour before train. Meals / End — B / L / D = ✔ / — / — ｜ Tour ends