12 Days China Xiapu Mudflats Xiamen Tulou Coastal Tour by Bullet Train

Day 1 Shanghai Arrival

Shanghai airport / railway station pick up, and check in hotel.

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the biggest metropolis in China!

Upon arrival, you will be met by a local tour guide at the arrival hall of the airport/train station/port and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Optional Activity - Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, including breathtaking “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other breathtaking performances (usually performed during 19:30~21:00).

Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and many domestic flights to and from Shanghai. Also, you can arrive in Shanghai city by taking a high speed train from Beijing (5-6hrs), Xian (6-7hrs), Hangzhou (1hrs), Suzhou (30mins), Huangshan (4hrs), and so on.

• Splendid Shanghai Night View

Day 2 Shanghai ( B, L )

Today's highlights: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, the Bund, Nanjing Road

After breakfast, you will visit Shanghai Museum, one of the Four Best Museums in China. There are over one billion cultural relics related to Chinese ancient history and art are exhibited inside, including precious bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, sculptures, traditional furniture, seals and old coins from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing Dynasty. Da Ke Ding(bronze food vessel in over 3000 years ago), Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin (ancient musical instruments) are the top treasures to visit. An Audio Explanation Device will help you better learn the facts and knowledge of the exhibitions.

Then, transfer to Shanghai old town to visit Yu Garden (Yuyuan), a famous Southern China classical garden which was originally built about 450 years ago. Walk around to view the ancient pavilions, halls, towers with jagged carved cornices and decorations, grotesque rockeries, glittering ponds filled with swimming kois and many old plants. These buildings, laid out in an asymmetry, fully embody impressive Chinese architectural style, art and skills, from which you can imagine an ancient living scene and find a magic harmony between human and nature. Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden is an interesting place for shopping traditional Chinese handicrafts and artworks and tasting a variety of local snacks.

Next, visit the Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), “the Eye of Shanghai”, one of the most incredible skyscrapers in Lujiazui. With a height of 492 meters (1,614 ft), the tower is the second tallest building after the nearby Shanghai Tower (632 meter/2,073 ft). Ascend up to the 474 meter-high 100th floor observation deck, try a thrilling skywalk on the transparent glass walkway and enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the entire city, including the Bund, neighboring Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower and many surrounding attractions. Feel Shanghai lying under your feet and blue sky hanging above your head.

Later, get to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s earliest commercial street and one of the most popular current landmarks. Lots of big name brands, restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops and towering buildings can be seen when you stroll around this busy pedestrian mall. Continue your walk to the Bund, the No. 1 attraction in Shanghai. Stretching along the west bank of the Huangpu River, this 1.5km-long road was a simple towpath for transporting good but developed to the early “East Wall Street” in the late 19th century, as a perfect blend of the East meeting the West. The Bund mainly features 52 various European-style architectures praised to the Exhibition of World’s Architecture. Make a pleasant walk to see those western classical and modern style buildings and amazing skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the river.

After the tour, drive back to your hotel. (If you want to spend free time at the Bund, Nanjing Road or somewhere else please let your tour guide know.)

• Shanghai Museum - One of the Best Four Museums in China
• Tourists Took Photo at The Bund with Backdrop of Lujiazui
• Yuyuan Bazaar Shot by Our Customer Paul
• 474 M High Glass Walkway in World Financial Center
• The Bund: Famous “Exhibition of the World's Architecture”

Day 3 Shanghai - Hangzhou (B, L)

Today's highlights: Tianzifang, Former French Concession

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tianzifang and Former French Concession to make a delightful contrast walking tour of local traditional houses and western style architectures. First, visit Tianzifang, a unique popular tourist enclave remolded from a traditional residential block in the French Concession area of Shanghai. Intertwined narrow alleys are filled with small creative shops selling lovely souvenirs and plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants. It’s great fun to ramble through the maze-like area to appreciate the well-preserved traditional Shanghainese Shikumen (Stone Warehouse Gate) houses, see interesting novel art and handicrafts, savor a lazy open-air coffee time and try some local street food and feel the original Shanghai life vibe.

Finally, you will take a leisurely walk in the charming Former French Concession which was a special premier living quarter and retail district for expats in early Shanghai (from 1849 AD until 1943 AD). You will browse hundreds of beautiful old French and European style buildings, apartments, villas, boutique shops, restaurants of a wide range of culinary styles standing at tree-lined avenues. Located among the ultra-modern architecture complex, the Former French Concession is a heritage treasury, a significant window into the city’s up-and-down history and an excellent witness of the culture fusion of the East and Europe.

In the afternoon, go to take a high speed train to Hangzhou (1hr). Upon your arrival, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up at the railway station, and transfer you to check in your hotel in Hangzhou downtown.

• Wukang Mansion - Iconic Landmark of Former French Concession
• Spend Leisure Time at the Mazy Lanes of Tianzifang

Day 4 Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou (B, L)

Today's highlights: Wuzhen Water Town (West Scenic Area), Qiaoxi Conservation Area

Good morning! After your breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and escort you to discover Wuzhen Water Town with about 1.5 hours’ driving. Wuzhen with over 6,000 years old is one of the four great water towns at the region south of the Yangtze River and one of the ten most charming famous towns in China. Praised as the “last town resting on water in China” and a land flowing with mink and honey, Wuzhen is the top popular place to see the typical look of water towns in south China.

Upon your arrival, take your time to discover the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen, which is most popular among international visitors with over 20 scenic spots telling the culture, history and folk custom of Wuzhen and terrific night lights sightseeing. Stroll leisurely along the well-preserved streets and lanes to visit the remained dyeing workshop with herbs and hanging cloths, “three-inch “golden lotuses” with over 800 pairs of various foot binding shoes, old post office operating for more than 110 years, etc. Of course, you will not miss the Bailian Pagoda, Tongji Bridge and Renji Bridge, large classic garden, ancient academy, soy sauce workshop, plentiful of old constructions from Ming and Qing era, and various shops and stores selling local handicrafts and snacks. (Optional activity: you can get on a sculling boat to admire the water town sightseeing from a different angle along the little river, which needs extra payment.)

After that, drive back to Hangzhou and enjoy an interesting cultural visit to Qiaoxi Conservation Area which was called “Little Shanghai” for its prosperity in Ming and Qing era due to the convenient linking by the Grand Canal. Now, this cultural street block preserves lots of old folk dwellings and industrial sites and has a series of themed museums and exhibitions to introduce the culture and history of the Grand Canal, Hangzhou and China. Go to China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords to admire various scissors used in daily life and learn the developing story of Zhang Xiao Quan. It is a nationally renowned brand of knives and scissors of nearly 400 years old and still favored by lots of domestic consumers. Besides, have a great look at plentiful of swords for military defense and knives from ancient to now! Walk to the adjacent China Umbrella Museum. You will know how the world first umbrella was inspired from lotus leaves, their special status in Chinese literature, irreplaceable meanings in the wedding and marriage in China, detailed processing, etc. with displays of rich types and colors of umbrellas of different materials in China and the world. Then, go to the nearby Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion to watch the live demonstration of painting on oiled paper umbrellas and various handicrafts, such as making potteries, embroideries, bamboo weaving, etc. (Optional activities: You can experience one of the handcrafting activities if you are interested and time permits, which needs extra payment.)

After today’s visiting, be escorted back to your hotel in Hangzhou downtown. Have a good sleep!

• China Umbrella Museum
• China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords
• Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion
• Wuzhen Water Town - Last Town Resting on Water in China
• Wuzhen Water Town West - Bailian Pagoda

Day 5 Hangzhou (B, L)

Today’s highlights: West Lake, Meijia Dock Dragon Well Tea Village, Hefang Street, Hu Qing Yu Tang

Today, after breakfast, you’ll first make the symbolic visit to the picturesque West Lake, which is the iconic site of Hangzhou and a pretty UNESCO World Heritage. Just as the famous traveler Marco Polo did and wrote: “A voyage on this lake offers more refreshment and pleasure than any other experience on earth”, you will start with a 45-minute leisure cruise to enjoy the tranquil lake views as well as the ancient pagodas, traditional arched bridges, tree-lined walkways, beautiful hills, green islands and lush gardens including visit to the beautiful Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon. After the cruise, stroll or take a sightseeing vehicle leisurely around to pass the famous Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, Broken Bridge, Gushan Hill, parks of Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond, Lotus Swaying in the Breeze, Orioles Singing in the Willows, etc. (As the lake is too large, you can take the sightseeing vehicle at any place on the route to save energy. The fee is included.)

Then, leave the lake and drive uphill to Meijiawu Tea Village, a refreshing wonderland surrounded by mountains with a large area of emerald Dragon Well tea plantations in neat lines and curves. Walk among the tea plantations with fun and take beautiful photos (Optional activity: you can pay a visit to the local tea grower’s family and experience picking tea leaves, watching stir-drying tea leaves, enjoying tea ceremony, tasting Dragon Well tea, etc., which needs extra payment.).

After that, enjoy a nice historical walk at Hefang Street, a unique pedestrian street to see the typical old and prosperous Hangzhou in South Song era. Stroll to admire the ornate old styled Chinese architectures, interesting local handicrafts, delicious snacks, etc. Then, walk to the century-old Chinese pharmacy on the street - Hu Qing Yu Tang, which is also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum and was built by Xueyan Hu, a famous merchant in late Qing dynasty. Many locals still visit senior doctors there for treatment today. Marvel at the magic of traditional Chinese medicine by looking at the countless traditional Chinese medicines and herbs, various traditional tools and watch the live processing of medicines.

After today’s visiting, be escorted back to your hotel in downtown. Have a good sleep!

Evening Ideas: 1) watch a magnificent night show - Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, a live performance by Yimou Zhang with changing lights, music and dancing on the West Lake, which usually starts at 7pm, needs extra payment; 2) feast your eyes with an amazing Music Fountain Show at Third Park, near the eastern lakeside of West Lake, free charged.

• West Lake Spring
• West Lake Boating Experience
• Relax at Dragon Well Tea Plantation
• Hefang Street
• Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum

Day 6 Hangzhou - Putuoshan (B,L)

Today's highlights: Puji Temple, One Thousand Step Beach, Unwilling to Leave Temple, Purple Bamboo Forest, Goddess of Mercy Statue

You will be picked up by your guide and driver in your hotel lobby, then set off on the trip to Putuoshan which is about 3.5 hours' driving away from Hangzhou downtown. After arrival at Zhu Sha Jian of Zhoushan City, embark a ferry to Putuoshan, which will take about 15 minutes to get to Putuoshan Dock. Disembark the ferry to check in your hotel.

Start your visit with a short walk from the dock to Puji Temple. Built in 916, this magnificent temple is the oldest as well as the largest temple on Putuoshan Mountain. Every big Buddhist event or ceremony is usually held in the temple. In front of the temple is a beautiful pond for lotus. The Duobao Pagoda near the Puji Temple, built to store Buddhist sculptures, is one of the "Three Great Precious of Putuoshan", and still remains the original face as in Yuan Dynasty(1271~1368).

Then take a sightseeing bus to One Thousand-Step Beach on the eastern side of Putuoshan Island. Walk leisurely on this over 2000-meter long white beach, let the waves kiss your toes and enjoy the clean sky and sea sceneries. Next, transfer by sightseeing bus to next attraction - Unwilling-to-leave Temple. In the year 858, the Japanese Buddhist Hui'e received a precious statue of Avalokitesvara. While on his way back to Japan, he was detained by a storm, which was seen by Hui'e as a sign that the Avalokitesvara was unwilling to leave. Then Hui'e decided to leave the statue on Putuoshan, and built a temple to place the statue which was named Unwilling-to-leave Temple. Near the temple locates the famous Purple Bamboo Forest which is believed to the original ashram of Avalokitesvara (the Goddess of Mercy). Walk several minutes down the bamboo forest, you will reach the landmark site of Putuoshan - the Goddess of Mercy Statue which is 33 meters (108 feet) tall and made of copper.

Lastly, get back to your hotel. The rest time of today is free for you to have dinner and walk around.

• Puji Temple
• The Mercy of Goddness
• Putuoshan Sunset
• One Thousand Step Beach

Day 7 Putuoshan - Xiapu (B, L)

Today's highlights: Nine-dragon Screen, Hiking to Huiji Temple

After breakfast, take a park bus to Fayu Temple, 2.8km from Puji Temple. The Nine-dragon Caisson on the ceiling of the Nine Dragons Hall, together with some glazed tiles used on the temple, was relocated from the imperial palaces of Ming Empire in Nanjing in Qing Dynasty(1636~1912). There is also a Nine-dragon Screen which is aged, giant and tall but can see any crevice though it was jointed by flagstones. Apart from the grandiose halls, the temple is also full of huge, rare and old trees scattering in the yards or along the yellow-walled paths, which make it easy for people to find the peace in mind.

After visiting Fayu Temple, you will go to take the fast cable car which takes only several minutes to the Huiji Temple on the top area of Putuoshan. The temple is covered by colorful glazed tiles. Its halls and yards were constructed in traditional Garden-Architecture Style in Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Not so far away from the temple is the Sky Lamp Stage where you can get clear panoramic views of Putuoshan, white beaches and blue seas in the far distance. After that, descend the mountain by walking (about 2088 stone steps) about 30mins.

Take park bus to the dock to catch a ferry to Zhu Jia Jian. Then be transferred to the railway station in Ningbo to catch your high speed train to Xiapu. Enjoy the beautiful coastal landscape along the ride. You will arrive at Xiapu about 3 hours later, then be picked up by your tour guide, and transferred to check in your hotel.

• Sacred Fayu Temple in Putuoshan
• Buddha Summit Mountain

Day 8 Xiapu Mudflats Photography (B, L)

Today's highlights: Weijiang Village Sunrise, Dong'an Island Fishing Village, Yantian Village

On this day, get up early in the morning and head to Weijiang Village for sunrise. Also called Mantou (Steamed Bun) Hill, it is treated as a sacred place for shooting sunrise, hanging oysters, sunning kelp, working fishermen…You’ll see the sky changes suddenly - dark blue, green blue, light blue, blue white, bright red, golden…seize the rare moment to shoot the beautiful scene. With the flying egrets in the charming sky and the steamed-bund shaped hill, the whole scene is really a tranquil landscape of “Master Nature”.

Later, you’ll be driven to Dong'an Island which is called “Venice on the Sea”. Composed of thousands of fish tanks and hundreds of wooden houses, this village is the most concentrated fish farm with magnificent view. When looking down on the nearby hill, you’ll be enchanted by the harmonious, vibrant, tranquil, idyllic scene. Enjoy a boat trip to sail into the village.

Later, drive to Xiaohao Village (about 35 mins’ driving), which is a famous place for shooting sandiness mudflat and sunset. When the sun is falling down, the shining golden glory paints the whole mudflat, and this is the best moment to record this splendid landscape of the setting sun and the mudflat. The east of Xiaohao is great for photographing with back lighting and the color of its beach changing with light, offering photographers hidden surprises. The west of Xiaohao is great for shooting with front lighting, photographing super large-scale scene of kelp harvest - fishing boats like mighty forces shuttling among the bamboo poles on the sea, which is like a grand movement composed by many dancing musical notes.

• Charming Sunrise at Weijiang Mudflat
• Sunset at Xiapu Xiaohao Village

Day 9 Xiapu Mudflats Photography (B, L)

Today's highlights: Beiqi Village Sunrise, Huazhu Village, Dongbi Village Sunset

Today, try to get up early and head to Beiqi Village for the beautiful sunrise. The morning golden sunshine spurting down on the sea, changes the mudflat into a dreamy colorful world. The most famous tiger-skin-like stripes of the mudflat, shadows of fishermen, fishing boats, poles, etc. compose a very harmonious painting, from which you will admire the “Magician Nature” who makes the extraordinarily common point, line, light and shadow full of magic.

Next, drive to Huazhu Village, a great site to take beautiful pictures of mirage-like views and overlook the tranquil village on the sea. During the porphyra harvest season, when the sun rises gently, the sunglow shines on the sea and the fishermen work on the farmlands, it depicts the most gorgeous sea painting scroll. Next, be followed a trip to Bachimen where is a good place to shoot purse seine to cultivate crabs on the mudflat.

Lastly, follow the trip to Dongbi Village for sunset. The golden color of the falling sun presents a golden silk dress for the mudflat and the soft lines of the sinuate water ways vary as the waves, some even performing “S” shapes, and this is super magnificent and rare. Furthermore, as some fishermen hang their fishing nets here on the mudflat, it is very lucky to shoot some pictures of the ordinary tools to increase your amounts of cultural themed photographic works of Xiapu.

After the tour, drive back to your hotel for a good rest.

• Kelp Farms on the Mudflats of Beiqi Village
• Dongbi Village - Local Fishermen Hanging Fishing Nets
• Huazhu Village in the Mist

Day 10 Xiapu - Xiamen (B, L)

Today's highlights: High Speed Train to Xiamen, Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple

On this day, you will take a high speed train along the coastal railway to Xiamen, the most popular tourist city in Fujiang Province. After arriving at the railway station, your tour guide and driver will pick up you and take you to enjoy a brief Xiamen city tour.

First, take a 20-minutes’ ferry to Gulangyu Island from Xiamen downtown. It is the No.1 attraction in Xiamen and also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage with dozens of precious historical architectures built by people from the UK, Italy, France, Spain, Japan, etc. during the Second Opium War, thus, this little island of 1.88 s.q.m wide is regarded as “International Architecture Museum” with relic sites of 13 embassies from 18th-19th centuries. Roam along the old alleys to appreciate those left sites of churches, mansions, villas, banks and museums telling the historical stories of Gulangyu. Walk up to the most famous Sunlight Rock and catch the wonderful panorama of the large group of red and pink Western styled architectures with dotted emerald trees. Then, go to discover the must-see Shuzhuang Garden that is the classic model of traditional Chinese garden on the sea. Take a leisure stroll amongst the twisty corridors, ancient halls with flying eaves and blue tiles, delicate pavilions, poetic gardens and ponds, etc. facing the shimmering sea and feel its traditional Chinese literal beauty contrasting to the western charm surrounding. Step into the outstanding Piano Museum which boasts an awesome collection of nearly 100 precious old pianos from all over the world for your worthy musical inspiration. Enjoy your architectural savory and then take the ferry back to Xiamen downtown.

Then, go to visit Nanputuo Temple (South Putuo Temple) of more than 1,000 years old. Enter the temple to admire a grand cluster of Buddhist halls with flying eaves and yellow tiles standing layer by layer under century-old trees and against the emerald mountain and pray in front of the holy Buddhas. Meanwhile, immerse into the peaceful atmosphere with locals taking a break around the large lotus pond, traditional Chinese pavilions, corridors, etc.. Later, walk about 20 minutes up to Wulao Peak to have a terrific bird’s eye view of the beautiful Xiamen University, Xiamen Port and the nearby islets on the blue sea!

After the sightseeing, go to check in your hotel and have a good rest.

• Beautiful Gulangyu Island
• Amazing Beach of Gulangyu Island
• Nanputuo Temple Panorama
• Xiamen University View from Wulao Peak

Day 11 Xiamen - Nanjing Tulou - Yongding Tulou - Xiamen (B, L)

Today's highlights: Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yuchanglou, Taxia Village, Chengqilou

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotels and then escort you to see the earthen buildings (Tulou) in Nanjing County with a 3-hour scenic drive. Nanjing Tulou is a key part of Fujian Tulou that are the traditional dwelling houses of Chinese Hakka people with round, square or rectangular appearance for living in family groups and have been listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2008.

First, walk up to the viewing platform to have a bird’s eye view of the must-see Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster from the best angle, which is the most famous earthen building cluster known as “Four Dishes and a Soup” with 3 round, 1 oval and 1 rectangular well preserved earthen building looking really like a set of meal on the natural tablecloth of the lush mountain an graceful rice terraces surrounding.

Next, go to discover Yuchang Building that was built during 1308-1338. It is the present oldest Tulou and the largest and highest round Tulou with highest floor height in Nanjing region. Also, it is famous as “Zigzag Building” because it looks about to totter with a maximum inclination of 15 degrees due to weather beats and earthquakes, however, it stands quite still till nowadays. Walk into this Tulou and closely look at the zigzag wooden pillars which have well supported such huge building for over 600 years.

Then, visit Taxia Village. With an “S” shaped stream floating across the entire village, two earthen buildings located just right on the two curves, and multiple big and small Tulou built along the banks, this village is reputed as a “Water Town of Taichi” with rich Tulou flavor. You will not miss Yude Building known as “Apron Building”, Deyuan Hall with outstanding sculptures of birds, beasts and flowers and also the 24 Hakka stone flagpoles beside the semilunar pond.

Then, drive to Gaobei Tulou Cluster in Yongding to explore Chengqi Building, which has been constructed for around half a century and is now more than 300 years old. Being the largest round Tulou with most circles in Yongding, it is reputed as the “King of Tulou” and has been printed on the national stamps in China in 1986. Walk in the huge earthen building with a diameter of 72 meters to admire its amazing design of 4 circles and 4 floors with circle in circle, which was in accordance to Bagua and reaches the highest level of Tulou construction.

After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Xiamen. Have a good sleep!

• Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster
• Yuchanglou (Zigzag Building)
• Taxia Village
• Chengqilou (King of Tulou)
• Chengqilou Interior Design

Day 12 Xiamen - Hong Kong (B)

Take high speed train directly to Hong Kong

Today is free for you to transfer to Hong Kong. You will take a high speed train directly from Xiamen to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. The railway distance from Xiamen to Hong Kong is around 553 kilometers, with durations from 4 to 4.5 hours. After your arrival, you can spend 2 to 3 days to explore the charming culture, history, fashion, food, skyline and shopping paradise of this attractive megacity by your own or board your flight home or your next tourist country.

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