China's Grand Heritage: Imperial Cities, Pandas & Yangtze

A Varied Itinerary Exploring Xiamen, Wuyishan, Fuzhou, and Quanzhou

Morning/Afternoon: Depart Manila via one of four daily direct flights to Xiamen (approx. 2h 15m flight time).
Upon Arrival: Take the airport shuttle bus (Lundu Special Line, CNY10) or a taxi (approx. CNY50) to your pre-booked hotel. We suggest the 3-star Bestel Hotel for its convenient location.
Evening: Settle in and enjoy a leisurely stroll. The hotel is a short walk from the vibrant Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street and the scenic Lujiang Road, perfect for sampling local cuisine for dinner.

Morning: After breakfast, take a taxi (approx. CNY20) to the Xiagu Cruise Ferry Terminal. Board a ferry to Gulangyu Island (round trip fare: CNY35).
Full Day on Gulangyu: Explore the island's key attractions using a through ticket. Visit Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Bright Moon Garden, and the Seasight Watch Garden. Don't miss the local snacks like fried glutinous pudding, fish balls, and sea worm jelly.
Late Afternoon: Ferry back to the mainland. Consider a stroll along the seashore or a visit to the beautiful campus of Xiamen University before taking a taxi back to your hotel.

Full Day Excursion: Book a one-day tour (approx. CNY220 per person) to the Nanjing Tianluokeng Earth Tower Cluster through the Xiamen Travel Distribution Center. The package includes transport, guide, entrance fees, and lunch.
Cultural Immersion: Discover the unique Hakka Tulou (earth towers), traditional communal living structures built for defense. The Tianluokeng cluster, with its mix of round, oval, and square towers, dates back over 200 years.

Morning: Check out and deposit luggage at the hotel. Visit Jimei Village, exploring Jimei University, the Dragon Boat Pond, Aoyuan Garden, and the former residence of Tan Kah Kee.
Afternoon: Travel to South Putuo Temple, a renowned Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple. Afterwards, visit the historic Hulishan Battery, home to impressive antique cannons.
Evening Travel: Retrieve luggage and take a taxi (approx. CNY80) to Xiamen North Railway Station. Board the high-speed train G1660 (approx. 17:00 departure) to Wuyishan East. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, the Wuyishan Yin Xiang Resort, for a three-night stay.

Full Day Exploration: Purchase a two-day pass for Mount Wuyi (CNY365). Today, explore the Dahongpao Tea Trees area to sample the famous local rock tea. Then, hike the Heavenly Tour Peak, known for its ethereal views, especially in cloudy weather.
Logistics: Use taxis (approx. CNY10 each way) to get to and from the mountain. Pack snacks and water, as food inside the scenic area is expensive.

Morning: Return to Mount Wuyi. Visit the Tiger Roaring Rock and proceed to the One Ray Scenic Area (a flashlight is recommended for the dark interior).
Afternoon: The highlight of the day is a scenic bamboo raft ride down the serene Nine Bends Brook, enjoying picturesque landscapes. The boatmen often share stories and folk songs.

Morning: Check out and deposit luggage. Take a taxi (approx. CNY30) to visit Xiamei Ancient Village, a well-preserved Qing Dynasty village where you can enjoy local cuisine for lunch.
Afternoon: Return to the hotel for your luggage, then travel to Wuyishan East Railway Station. Take the high-speed train G1633 (approx. 16:00 departure) to Fuzhou.
Evening: Upon arrival in Fuzhou, check into the recommended 4-star Fuzhou Hotel.

Morning: Travel to Drum Hill. Take a local minibus or cable car up the hill, stopping to visit the historic Yongquan Temple and its ancient rock inscriptions.
Afternoon: Explore the "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys" (Sanfang Qixiang) scenic area, a network of ancient lanes and traditional houses that has been transformed into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub. Sample local dishes for dinner in the area.

Morning: Check out and take a taxi to Fuzhou Railway Station. Board a bullet train to Quanzhou (approx. 80-minute journey).
Afternoon: Check into the Xiamen Airlines Quanzhou Hotel. Have lunch on the nearby Delicacy Street. Afterwards, visit the Southern Shaolin Temple, an important center for Chinese martial arts.

Morning: Check out and leave luggage at the hotel. Visit the Kaiyuan Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian, famous for its East and West Pagodas. Then, take a short taxi ride (approx. CNY15) to the Quanzhou Maritime Museum.
Afternoon: Collect your luggage and take a train from Quanzhou to Xiamen. Upon arrival at Xiamen North Railway Station, return to the Bestel Hotel for your final night.

Departure: Check out of the hotel before noon. Take the airport shuttle bus from Sunlight Hotel or a taxi (approx. CNY50) to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport for your return flight to Manila. Multiple direct flight options are available throughout the day.