Itinerary guide

7 Days in Xiamen & Chaoshan: Tulou and Old Streets

If this is your first trip to China, this 7-day route gives you time for traditional buildings across two provinces. You’ll follow Xiamen → Chaozhou → Shantou, with arrival and departure days counted in the plan.

  • 7 days
  • 3 cities
  • Check conditions for your chosen dates
  • Moderate pace
  • 3 min read

By Sarah Wong

The circular earthen walls of Huaiyuan Building in Nanjing
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Xiamen3 nights
  2. Chaozhou2 nights
  3. Shantou1 night
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
Traditional buildings across two provinces
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Xiamen → Chaozhou → Shantou

Introduction

You don’t need to fit every nearby attraction into one trip. This route follows Xiamen → Chaozhou → Shantou, with 6 nights and clear space for arrival, departure and changes of base.

Traditional buildings across two provinces. 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 7 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

Chaozhou

Days 4 – 5

Time for Chaozhou

Use Chaozhou 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 Chaozhou: Travel and settle in

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

    A stone gateway in Chaozhou Ancient City
    • Overnight in Chaozhou

  2. Day 5Chaozhou: Slow down in Chaozhou

    Explore Chaozhou Ancient City and the area around Guangji Bridge. Leave the afternoon loose so you can follow the streets rather than a checklist. Route: Chaozhou Ancient City and Guangji Bridge Stay: Chaozhou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Guangji Bridge spanning the river in Chaozhou
    • Overnight in Chaozhou

Shantou

Days 6 – 7

Time for Shantou

Use Shantou 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 6Chaozhou to Shantou: A short outing after the move

    Travel from Chaozhou to Shantou, allowing time to settle in. Keep Xiaogongyuan, Shantou as a short, optional outing. Route: Chaozhou to Shantou via Xiaogongyuan, Shantou Stay: Shantou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    An ornate red pavilion in Shantou’s Xiaogongyuan area
    • Overnight in Shantou

  2. Day 7Shantou: Leave room for departure

    Leave Shantou 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 Shantou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    An ornate red pavilion in Shantou’s Xiaogongyuan area

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Xiamen → Chaozhou → Shantou 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