Fujian Zhangzhou 3 Days 2 Nights Warm Winter Trip|A Getaway for Winter Escape + Serenity
Day 1: Gentle Island Vibes on Dongshan Island
Morning: Arrive at Dongshan Island, Zhangzhou → Tongling Town, stroll around Nanmen Bay (filming location of "The Left Ear"), enjoy the sea breeze and the blue bay
Afternoon: Self-drive or bike ride around Su Feng Mountain Island Road, check in at the "internet-famous spots," enjoy the healing scenery where mountains meet the sea
Evening: Walk along Maluan Bay Beach, dine at seafood stalls (about 80 RMB per person), experience the slow island life
Day 2: Ancient Charm of Tulou + Countryside Scenery
Morning: Head to Nanjing Tulou → Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster (ticket 90 RMB), check out the "Four Dishes and One Soup" wonder
Afternoon: Taxia Village (free), stroll along the creek in the ancient village, see the Tulou blending with countryside and streams
Evening: Stay in a Tulou guesthouse, experience Hakka hearthside night talks, taste Hakka rice wine
Day 3: Leisurely Tour of Yunshuiyao + Return
Morning: Yunshuiyao Ancient Town (ticket 90 RMB, combined ticket with Tianluokeng 120 RMB is more cost-effective), walk the thousand-year-old ancient path, see the big banyan tree, ancient bridges, and streams
Afternoon: Buy Hakka specialties (Hakka rice cake, Tulou tea), then return
📅 Best Travel Time: December 2 - 4 (Saturday to Monday)
Weather: December in Zhangzhou ranges from 10-22℃, sunny, warm and comfortable, perfect for winter escape
Crowds: Avoid the winter peak tourist season, fewer visitors at Dongshan Island and Tulou, better experience
Highlights: No winter chill on the island, Tulou is quiet and rustic, ideal for relaxation
🚄 Transportation Guide
Departure → Zhangzhou
High-speed rail: About 30 minutes from Xiamen, 1.5 hours from Fuzhou, 3 hours from Guangzhou, ticket price 50-200 RMB
Self-drive: Navigate to "Dongshan Island Tongling Town," about 2.5 hours from Xiamen/Fuzhou, 5 hours from Guangzhou, parking fee 10-20 RMB/day
Local Transportation
Dongshan Island: Rent an electric scooter (50 RMB/day), very convenient for island touring; taxi from Tongling Town to Su Feng Mountain about 30 RMB
Zhangzhou → Nanjing Tulou: Take the "Tulou Express" from Zhangzhou High-speed Rail Station (30 RMB/person, 1.5 hours), or charter a car (200 RMB/day)
Inside Tulou: Shuttle bus available from Tianluokeng → Taxia Village → Yunshuiyao (10 RMB/person)
🏨 Accommodation Recommendations (Focus on Quietness and Comfort)
Type Recommended Hotel / Guesthouse Price (per night) Highlights
Island Sea View Dongshan Island Left Ear Sea View Inn Around 380 RMB Next to Nanmen Bay, sea view from the window, fresh decor
Tulou Experience Nanjing Tulou Yunshuiyao Guesthouse Around 320 RMB Antique style, courtyard design, includes Hakka breakfast
Best Value Zhangzhou Wanda Meihua Hotel Around 280 RMB City center, convenient transport, full facilities
🍽 Must-Try Minnan + Hakka Cuisine
Dongshan Island Seafood: Small squid (50 RMB/portion), mantis shrimp (60 RMB/jin), oyster omelet (25 RMB/portion), recommended Tongling Town "Afang Seafood Stall" and "Old Captain Seafood," freshly caught and cooked
Hakka Dishes: Hakka stuffed tofu (30 RMB/portion), salt-baked chicken (60 RMB/whole), dried bamboo shoots with pork (40 RMB/portion), available at Tulou guesthouses
Snacks: Zhangzhou braised noodles (15 RMB/bowl), hand-grabbed noodles (10 RMB/portion), Hakka rice cake (8 RMB/piece), authentic street food
Drinks: Minnan Kung Fu tea (free at guesthouses), Hakka rice wine (20 RMB/jin), warming and refreshing
📸 Highlights Guide (Gentle and Healing Scenery)
1. Dongshan Island (Day 1)
Nanmen Bay: Blue bay + colorful houses, walk and take photos along the bay, at 4 PM the sunlight slants, the sea sparkles, perfect for portraits
Su Feng Mountain Island Road: Internet-famous "cliffside road," white railings + blue sea + green mountains, great for panoramic shots, can stop anytime when self-driving
Maluan Bay: Fine sandy beach, few people and peaceful, watch the sunset in the evening, great atmosphere for silhouette photos
2. Nanjing Tulou (Day 2)
Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: "Four Dishes and One Soup" (four round Tulou surrounding one square Tulou), observation deck with panoramic views (must photo), touch the Tulou walls up close, feel the century-old history
Taxia Village: Ancient village by the creek, Tulou built along the creek, ancient bridges, streams, and big banyan trees form a pastoral painting, perfect for slow life scenes, fewer people and beautiful views in early morning or evening
3. Yunshuiyao Ancient Town (Day 3)
Thousand-year-old Ancient Path: Cobblestone path flanked by big banyan trees and streams, walking here feels peaceful
Hegui Lou: "Tallest Tulou," built on marshland, magical and spectacular, can climb inside for a town view
Huaiyuan Lou: "Most Beautiful Tulou," exquisite wood carvings inside, great for cultural detail shots
⚠ Pitfall Tips
Seafood stalls on Dongshan Island require confirming prices before ordering to avoid being overcharged, recommend choosing shops with clear pricing
Many unofficial guides in Tulou scenic area charge 50-100 RMB, check online guides in advance or follow official scenic area guides (free)
Some photos of "century-old banyan trees" in Yunshuiyao Ancient Town require a fee (5 RMB/person), you can choose free banyan trees for photos
Zhangzhou has plenty of sunshine in winter but strong sea winds, bring a light jacket or windbreaker
💡 Practical Tips
Outfit: Light-colored dresses, knitwear, trench coats paired with straw hats and scarves, gentle and photogenic; bring a shawl for warmth due to strong sea winds
Photography Tips: Use a wide-angle lens for sea views on Dongshan Island, a drone for Tulou panoramas (some areas prohibit flying, watch for signs), a telephoto lens for blurring backgrounds on Yunshuiyao ancient path
Souvenirs: Dongshan Island shredded squid (30 RMB/bag), Tulou tea leaves (50 RMB/jin), Hakka rice cake (20 RMB/box), cost-effective and great for gifts
Skincare: Strong UV rays by the sea require sun protection; Tulou and ancient towns are dry, bring moisturizing skincare products
💰 Per Person Budget (3 Days 2 Nights)
Item Cost (RMB) Notes
Transportation High-speed rail round trip 200-400 + local transport 200 Depends on departure location
Accommodation 600-760 Two nights, mid-range standard
Tickets 120 Combined ticket for Tianluokeng + Yunshuiyao 120 RMB (180 RMB if bought separately)
Meals 300-400 About 100-130 RMB/day, including seafood and Hakka dishes
Souvenirs 100-200 Optional
Total 1320-1860 RMB Warm winter escape + peaceful slow travel, excellent value for money