China (Xiamen, Fujian) Dec 2014

Map of Xiamen, Fujian, China

Total cost incurred (5 days): Rm175.40 + CNY427
Hotel (Jinjiang Inn-4 nights) : Rm175.40 per pax (twin bed)
Food: CNY138
Transport (high speed train): CNY65 (Xiamen > Fuzhou South); CNY135 (Xiamen North > Huizhou)
Entrance fee: CNY25 (Hulisan Fort)
Ferry: CNY35 (Gulangyu Island)
City bus: CNY29

My last visit to Xiamen was in Sept 2014. For this visit, we spend a total of 4 nights in Xiamen given that this city is quite close to the Fujian tulou - one of the target places we intend to visit. 

As I am pretty familiar with the public transport in Xiamen, ie city & BRT buses, so I had the opportunity to play the role of a local tour guide taking my wife to several touristy places around Xiamen ie Gulangyu, Nan Putou Temple, Pearl Bay, Hulisan Fort, Zhongsan Lu walking street, Taiwanese Food Street etc. 

It was in Xiamen tourist ferry & bus terminal that we picked up a number of tour brochures offering day tour packages to several Fujian tulou places in Yongding & Nanjing county. So on our return trip from Fuzhou, we set aside one full day & sign up a local day tour package (CNY168) from our hotel to Yun Shui Yao & Fujian tulou. This saved time & money if we were to venture on our own to these remote villages. 

The hotel (Jinjiang Inn, Hexing West Road- CNY156 twin bed) I stayed is within walking distance from the Hubin Long Distance bus station and also near the BRT Ersi station. So this hotel is ideal for first timers visiting Xiamen. City buses are cheap - CNY1 per ride and CNY3 for BRT buses. However the Xiamen north railway station (high speed train) is about 1 hr ride by BRT buses from the Xiamen city centre. The BRT 1 bus express starts from Diyi Matou station and ends in Xiamen North railway station - passing a total of 22 stations along the BRT bus route.

Xiamen has a new International cruise terminal and for CNY35 a ticket, tourists can take a ferry and enjoy a 20 mins ride to Gulangyu and spend the entire day or stay overnight on the island. 

1) Ferry ride from International Cruise Terminal > Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, Fujian

Xiamen International Cruise Terminal

2) Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, Fujian

Sanquitian Jetty / Plaza

Gulangyu food street

3) Hulisan Fort, Xiamen, Fujian

4) Pearl Bay, Xiamen, Fujian

5) Nan Putuo Temple, Xiamen, Fujian

6) Taiwanese Small Eat Street, Xiamen, Fujian

My set lunch in Xiamen
Mushroom chicken clay pot style

7) Zhongsan Lu, Xiamen, Fujian

China (Nanjing County, Fujian) Dec 2014

Nanjing County Map

Total cost incurred (1 day): CNY183 per pax
Day tour (Nanjing county Tulou) : CNY168
Entrance: CNY5 (Tulou upper floors)
Shuttle bus: CNY10

This is my 2nd visit to Tulou clusters in Fujian province. Last September 2014, I took a bus from Xiamen to Hukeng and stayed overnight & visited the Hukeng tulou cluster.

For this year visit, my wife and myself signed up a day tour package from our hotel in Xiamen (Jinjiang Inn, Hexing West Road) and visited the Nanjing County Yun Shui Yao scenic ancient town & Fujian tulou clusters in the surrounding areas.

In Xiamen, many local tour agencies offer the following day tour packages (lunch included plus hotel pick-up at 06.30) to tourists so you have the options to choose one which suites your budget and time. The full day tour ended with 2 shopping visits to high end jewelry (jade, precious stones & pearl) and tea stores in Xiamen before sending us back to our hotels !

The prices quoted in December 2014 (low season) were:
- One day tour to Yongding Tulou - CNY138
- One day tour to Tianluokeng Tuloyu cluster - CNY178
- One day tour to Nanjing Yun Shui Yao + Tulou - CNY168
- One day tour to Hua Ann Tulou - CNY98

It is much more economical for you to sign up a day tour than doing a free & easy visit to these places as most tulou clusters are located in remote areas and public transport may not be that convenient. Nanjing county is about 38km from Zhangzhou, connected by a high speed train from Xiamen North station (130km).

Fujian tulou has 46 earthen buildings, built during the 15-20th century.

You Shu Yao ancient town is very scenic & picturesque so we chose the right tour package to visit this popular place. There is a big wheel or old mill at the center of Yun Shui Yao so take a slow walk to admire the surroundings.

The popular "Yun Shui Yao" film, a romantic drama was made in 2006 in this ancient town and was submitted for Best Foreign Language film at the 80th Academy Award.

1) He Gui Lou, Nanjing County Fujian Tulou (built between 12-20th century) - under renovation !

2) Cui Mei Lou, Nanjing County Fujian Tulou (built between 12-20th century).

3) Huai Yuan Lou, Nanjing County Fujian Tulou

He Gui Lou under renovation !

4) Yun Shui Yao ancient town, Fujian

5) Passion fruit & tea farming in Nanjing County, Fujian

Passion fruit farm

Tea Farming