Itinerary guide

6 Days in Xiamen & Quanzhou: Islands and Tulou

If this is your first trip to China, this 6-day route gives you time for fujian architecture with fewer transfers. You’ll follow Xiamen → Quanzhou, with arrival and departure days counted in the plan.

  • 6 days
  • 2 cities
  • Check conditions for your chosen dates
  • Moderate pace
  • 2 min read

By Sarah Wong

Roofs and trees across Gulangyu Island
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Xiamen3 nights
  2. Quanzhou2 nights
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
Fujian architecture with fewer transfers
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Xiamen → Quanzhou

Introduction

You don’t need to fit every nearby attraction into one trip. This route follows Xiamen → Quanzhou, with 5 nights and clear space for arrival, departure and changes of base.

Fujian architecture with fewer transfers. The daily suggestions keep the focus on one or two outings rather than a long sightseeing list. Adjust optional walks to your energy, and treat travel days as travel days.

This is a planning guide rather than a booked package. Confirm connections, accommodation, opening arrangements and any reservations for your actual dates. The 6 days begin on arrival in China; international flights may need additional travel days.

Day-by-day itinerary

Xiamen

Days 1 – 3

Time for Xiamen

Use Xiamen as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 1Xiamen: Arrive and settle in

    Arrive in Xiamen and take time to settle in. Keep the rest of the day light so you can rest after the journey. Route: Arrival point to your accommodation in Xiamen Stay: Xiamen Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Illuminated arcade buildings on Zhongshan Road in Xiamen
    • Overnight in Xiamen

  2. Day 2Xiamen: A day on Gulangyu

    Spend the day walking through Gulangyu and looking at its buildings. You can keep the route short and leave time to sit down along the way. Route: Gulangyu Island Stay: Xiamen Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Roofs and trees across Gulangyu Island
    • Overnight in Xiamen

  3. Day 3Xiamen: Out to the earthen buildings

    Make a day trip to the Yunshuiyao tulou area in Nanjing. Return to Xiamen afterwards, keeping the buildings and village as the only main outing. Route: Yunshuiyao tulou area, Nanjing Stay: Xiamen Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    The circular earthen walls of Huaiyuan Building in Nanjing
    • Overnight in Xiamen

Quanzhou

Days 4 – 6

Time for Quanzhou

Use Quanzhou as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 4Xiamen to Quanzhou: Travel and settle in

    Travel from Xiamen to Quanzhou and leave the day mainly for the journey. Settle in before deciding whether you feel like a short walk. Route: Xiamen to Quanzhou Stay: Quanzhou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    People walking along West Street in Quanzhou at night
    • Overnight in Quanzhou

  2. Day 5Quanzhou: Temple and old streets

    Spend time at Kaiyuan Temple and in the surrounding old streets. Keep part of the day free for the corners of Quanzhou that catch your attention. Route: Kaiyuan Temple (Kaiyuansi), Quanzhou Stay: Quanzhou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    The entrance to Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou
    • Overnight in Quanzhou

  3. Day 6Quanzhou: Leave room for departure

    Leave Quanzhou according to your onward travel plans. Keep the day clear for packing and the journey to your departure point. Route: Your accommodation to your departure point in Quanzhou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    People walking along West Street in Quanzhou at night

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Xiamen → Quanzhou with the overnight bases listed separately, so you can see where each change of accommodation belongs.

    • Room for the journeys

      Arrival, departure and transfer days count towards the total. They are not treated as extra full sightseeing days.

    • A focused daily plan

      Give the main outing time, then decide on optional walks according to your energy rather than adding every nearby attraction.

    Before you go

    • Confirm each connection

      Choose intercity and local connections for your travel dates, including station or airport transfers. The suggested transport modes are not booked services.

    • Reservations and opening arrangements

      Check each attraction’s current opening arrangements and reservation process before fixing the order of your days.

    • Images and editorial review

      Images are AI-edited previews based on historical location photographs. Usage rights and visual details await review. Travel-day photographs illustrate the destination, not a promised visit.

    Sources

    Plan My Trip