Beijing to Xiamen Two-Day Tour (By Plane)

Highlights:

•Spend a pleasant day on Gulangyu Island, a serene pedestrian-only island filled with gardens, villas, and unique architecture

•Xiamen, a seaside city, is renowned for its tropical climate and its easy-going populace. For those in northern China, this is a two day getaway to paradise

(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

Package Price

Price is based on the time of travel and number of customers. Please inquire through the form on the left side of the page, we'll quote the best price we can get. As this tour package involves domestic transfers, the package price will vary from time to time because of the changing airfares and hotel rates.

TOUR ITINERARY

Tour code:
P-BJXIAMEN

Day 1 : Beijing-Xiamen (L)

Early in the morning your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the Beijing airport. From there you will make the 2.5hr drive down to Xiamen, in Fujian province, on the southeast coast of China. After leaving the airport we'll get started on your tour with a visit to the South Putou Temple.

Situated at the foot of Wulaofeng (Mountain of Five Old Men) and facing the sea, Nanputuo Temple is deemed to be one of the must-go tourist places in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, you will find the place a scenic area providing you with a refreshing experience. This Buddhist temple was once called Puzhao Temple (Universal Grace Temple). It was first built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was later destroyed in the warfare during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During the reign of Qing Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722), a naval general ordered it to be rebuilt into a Buddhist Temple and named it Nanputuo Temple. The temple covers 30,000 square meters with four main buildings on the north-south axis. The buildings include Devajara Hall (the Hall of Heavenly Kings), Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), Dabei Hall (the Hall of Great Compassion) and a Pavilion built in 1936 in which Buddhist scriptures, Buddha images from Burma, ivory sculptures and other works of art are stored. The many rooms flanking the main buildings include dormitories, libraries and study rooms for monks.

After enjoying a traditional tea ceremony, we'll make our next stop at Huli Fortress. A traditional fortress, Huli contains the oldest cannon in the world. For dinner you will be treated to a meal of Xiamen traditional cuisine, which consists mostly of seafood. You will stay overnight at the Xiamen City Hotel. (4-Star)

Day 2 : Beijing-Xiamen (B, L)

Following breakfast in the hotel we'll take the ferry to the nearby island of Gulangyu. Gulangyu Island is renowned for its delicate natural beauty, its ancient relics, and its varied architecture. The island is on China's list of National Scenic Spots and also ranks at the top of the list of the ten most-scenic areas in Fujian Province. It is a car-free island, and is a welcome respite to the frantic activity of the Special Economic Zone just across the water.

On the island, we will visit Shuzhuang Garden, a former private villa. It became a garden park open to the public in 1955. It is divided into two parts-the Garden of Hiding the Sea (Canghaiyuan) and the Garden of Making-Up Hills (Bushanyuan). It was exquisitely designed to embody three important characteristics in gardening---hiding elements, borrowing from one's surroundings, and combining movements. We will also take a look at China’s only Piano Museum (housing over 200), the Hi Heaven Museum the largest old villa on the island where you can enjoy ancient South Music performance and traditional puppet show. If we’re lucky we can catch the local style of entertainment, Nanyin Opera.

We'll then take the ferry back to Xiamen, and we'll drive to the airport. On the way to the airport we'll drive by the Island Ring Road. The Island Ring Road was recognized in the year 2000 as one of the 20 most famous scenic spots in China. The shoreline facing Taiwan-controlled Jinmen boasts a beautiful landscape, and with good binoculars you can see soldiers on patrol, a mere 3 miles offshore. Lawns and gardens, and paths for hikers, bicyclists and roller bladders can all be found on this road.

After arriving at the airport you will fly back to Beijing, arriving back at about 4:45pm. You will be met at the airport by your guide and driver, and you'll be taken back to your hotel.

Flight Information

Beijing-Xiamen: CA1809 07:15-10:00 or HU7771 08:30-11:10

Xiamen-Beijing: HU7192 14:00-16:45