16 Days in Fujian and Chaoshan! A Step-by-Step, No-Backtracking, Nanny-Level Guide
Who understands, family! Explore Fujian + Chaoshan thoroughly from north to south in 16 days, connected entirely by high-speed trains with no detours, including guided tours. This guide is a must-have!
🚗 Core Highlights
✅ North→South Loop: Fuzhou → Pingtan → Xiapu → Wuyishan → Xiamen → Zhangzhou → Chaoshan, no backtracking throughout
✅ High-speed train connections: Say goodbye to exhausting long-distance buses, direct high-speed rail access to scenic spots, saving time and ensuring comfort
✅ Includes guide service: No need to plan or navigate, the guide explains the history of attractions and food secrets thoroughly
✅ Lots of freebies: Snacks / Flower hairpins / Travel photography / Tea gifts / Seafood feasts, full experience guaranteed
📅 Daily Itinerary Quick Version
Day 1 Arrival at Fuzhou from various places with a dedicated car pick-up, straight to the city hotel! Evening free time to stroll Sanfang Qixiang, indulge in fish balls, meat swallow, and pot edge paste, the local vibe in Fuzhou is amazing~
Day 2 Fuzhou → Pingtan Island Morning visit to Sanfang Qixiang, guided tour of ancient houses, plus Fuzhou snacks! Afternoon cross Pingtan Strait Bridge, check in at Heping Village’s colorful stones, view Shipaiyang from afar, stroll Tannan Bay Tianmei Ao Beach, enjoy the sea breeze, overnight at Pingtan Island hotel.
Day 3 Pingtan Island → Xiapu Must-visit list in Pingtan: Haitan Ancient City for ancient-style photos → Houyan Island (closest mainland point to Taiwan) → Beigang Village stone houses with folk songs → Changjiang Ao windmill fields chasing sunset! Evening take high-speed train to Xiapu, seamless connection without hassle, overnight at Xiapu hotel.
Day 4 Xiapu · Most Beautiful Sunset Line Early morning with guide to Beiqi tidal flats for sunrise, light and shadow on the flats are breathtaking! Then visit Yangjiaxi banyan tree, Xiaohao tidal flats, Huazhu Village, evening pray at Liuyun Zen Temple, walk the light and shadow plank road to Dongbi for stunning sunset, every shot is a masterpiece, overnight at Xiapu.
Day 5 Xiapu → Fuzhou → Wuyishan Morning visit to Yujing Pier fishing village, head to 5A Taimao Mountain to explore the sea fairyland, guide’s explanations are fascinating! Afternoon take high-speed train via Fuzhou to Wuyishan, including Fuzhou-Wuyishan transfer, no need to carry luggage yourself, overnight at Wuyishan hotel.
Day 6 Wuyishan · Landscape Painting Scroll Spend the whole day in Wuyishan National Park! Climb Tianyou Peak overlooking the royal tea garden, Yunwo, and Shai Bu Rock, bamboo raft drift on Nine-bend Creek to see unique peaks, visit Wuyi Palace to taste rock tea, guide shares mountain and water stories, fully enjoy, overnight at Wuyishan.
Day 7 Wuyishan → Xiamen Morning visit to Jade Maiden Peak, One Line Sky, rush to Dahongpao scenic area to see the tea king tree, plus tea tasting and tea art performance! After 5:00 PM take high-speed train to Xiamen, including Wuyishan-Xiamen transfer, evening head straight to Zengcuoan for satay noodles, overnight at Xiamen hotel.
Day 8 Xiamen → Quanzhou · Maritime Silk Road Ancient City Quanzhou day tour is legendary! Visit Overseas Transportation History Museum → Guanyue Temple for blessings → Qingjing Mosque for exotic photos → Kaiyuan Temple to see ancient banyan and twin towers → Xijie and Xiaoxicheng for check-ins! Surprise gift: crab flower hairpin experience, transform into a Xunpu girl for beautiful photos, return to Xiamen for overnight.
Day 9 Xiamen → Zhangzhou · Fujian Tulou Explore Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, see Hegui Lou and Huaiyuan Lou blending with landscape; then rush to Yongding Gaobei Tulou cluster, check in “Tulou King” Chengqi Lou, guide explains Tulou construction wisdom, very educational, overnight in Xiamen.
Day 10 Xiamen · Gulangyu Island Romance Morning walk the Mountain-Sea Health Trail for panoramic Xiamen views, afternoon visit 5A Gulangyu Island! Includes travel photography experience, check in at the most beautiful corners, Wormhole Bookstore, Xiehe Chapel, stroll Gangzai Back Beach to enjoy sea breeze, plus old villa afternoon tea, full of ceremony, overnight in Xiamen.
Day 11 Xiamen · Fun at the Golden Coast Beach Catch crabs and dig clams (free shovel and bucket), super fun! Lunch includes a seafood feast to the brim, afternoon sail on a yacht to ride the wind and waves, evening stroll through Shapowei’s artsy shops, watch sunset from Yanwu Bridge viewing platform, overnight in Xiamen.
Day 12 Xiamen → Zhangzhou Dongshan Island → Shantou Dongshan Island is so healing! Take photos at Nanmen Bay (filming location of Left Ear) → Su Fengshan Island Ring Road for self-driving or cycling, head to mountains and sea → Fishbone Sandbar (including boat tour) walk the waves, see the sandbar in the sea! Evening take high-speed train to Shantou, including Zhangzhou-Shantou transfer, overnight at Shantou hotel.
Day 13 Shantou → Nan’ao Island + Mayu Island Cross Nan’ao Bridge to the island, check in Changwei Mountain Lighthouse, Nature’s Gate, Qing’ao Bay Beach, free fishing boat experience, fishing and shrimp catching super fun! Afternoon visit Mayu Island, worship Laoma Temple, Sea Dragon King Temple, see Mazu statue, overnight in Shantou.
Day 14 Shantou → Chaozhou · Ancient City Slow tour of Southern Song Longhu Ancient Village, see ancient ancestral halls in Sanjie Liuxiang; Chaozhou ancient city walking mode on: Han Wengong Ancestral Hall nostalgia → exterior of Guangji Bridge → stroll Binjiang Promenade → panoramic shot at Guangji Tower → Taiping Road Archway Street for beef hotpot! Evening watch “Dreaming Chaozhou” stage play, immersive cultural experience, overnight in Shantou.
Day 15 Shantou · Deep Chaoshan Culture Tour Check in Chen Cihong Former Residence (Chaoshan’s small Forbidden City), admire Sino-Western architectural aesthetics → take retro photos at Xiaogongyuan Arcade Cluster → choose to visit Chaoshan Culture Museum / Shipao Tai Park / Baihuajian Grand Temple → climb Queshi Scenic Area for views → take cross-sea ferry to see inner bay scenery, overnight in Shantou.
Day 16 Chaoshan → Departure Dedicated car to airport/station, super worry-free! If returning from Xiamen, self-arrange Chaoshan-Xiamen high-speed train ticket, travel agency can arrange pick-up and drop-off, perfect ending~
💸 Spending Tips Includes accommodation, tickets, most transfers, guide service, plus many free experiences! Pay extra only for small scenic transport and personal shopping, excellent value.
⚠️ Pitfall Tips
Pingtan and Xiapu seaside have big temperature differences, bring a light jacket, sunscreen essentials (hat + sunglasses + sunscreen) are a must!
Buy Gulangyu ferry tickets in advance, choose morning bamboo raft drift in Wuyishan for better light and photos.
Chaoshan cuisine is overwhelmingly rich, beef hotpot must order pork belly, hanging dragon companion, paired with satay sauce is amazing!
Tulou scenic areas have many mountain roads, wear comfortable sports shoes, avoid high heels to save yourself trouble~
From Fujian’s islands and mountains to Chaoshan’s ancient city and cuisine, this 16-day journey is truly worth it! Hurry and book your trip now~