SOUTHERN FUJIAN
Shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, Southern Fujian is a region of historic port cities, ornate ancestral halls and villages where traditions remain part of everyday life. Its coastal communities have long maintained connections with Southeast Asia, while inland, the remarkable tulou reveal a distinctive Hakka tradition of communal living. Together, these places offer a compelling insight into the architecture, customs and regional identities of southeastern China.
We love this part of Fujian for its cultural depth and variety. Minnan traditions flourish along the coast, while the Hakka communities of the interior preserve their own language, architecture and ancestral customs. Exploring both reveals a region whose identity is shaped as much by its communities as by its history.
PLACES TO EXPLORE
XIAMEN
Set along the coast, Xiamen combines an easy seaside atmosphere with a rich architectural heritage. Traditional arcaded houses, old temples and leafy streets reflect the region's Minnan culture, while nearby Gulangyu Island is known for its elegant colonial-era villas and winding lanes.
The city makes a convenient base for exploring Southern Fujian, with Quanzhou's historic landmarks and the tulou villages of the interior both within reach.
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
TULOU VILLAGES
Set among the green hills of southern Fujian, the tulou of Nanjing County are remarkable examples of traditional Hakka architecture. Built from rammed earth, these monumental dwellings take circular and square forms, with thick walls enclosing courtyards, ancestral halls and generations of family homes.
The best-known clusters attract increasing numbers of visitors, yet smaller villages retain a more intimate atmosphere. Here, traditional buildings remain closely connected to family life, agricultural rhythms and the customs of the surrounding communities.
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
QUANZHOU
Once one of China’s great trading ports, Quanzhou stood at the crossroads of the Maritime Silk Road, bringing together merchants, travellers and faiths from across the world. Its legacy lives on in ancient temples, Islamic landmarks and traditional Minnan architecture, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange.
Today, its historic streets reveal a living heritage alongside contemporary culture, from incense-filled temples and traditional markets to local crafts and acclaimed cuisine. Quanzhou offers a fascinating perspective on China’s historic connections with the wider world.
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
FURTHER AFIELD
Beyond the main destinations, Southern Fujian offers rewarding excursions into its surrounding countryside. The forested peaks, dramatic rock formations and cliffside temples of Lingtong provide a striking setting for hikes along winding mountain trails.
Across the provincial border in Guangdong, historic riverside towns preserve old streets and merchant residences. The region is also home to the Hakka weilongwu, large traditional residences that reflect the importance of family, ancestral ties and collective life. Exploring these neighbouring communities adds another perspective to the Hakka heritage encountered in Fujian.
Suggested stay: 1–2 days in each destination
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation in Southern Fujian includes contemporary city hotels, welcoming local homestays and carefully selected properties that reflect the region’s architecture and atmosphere.
URBAN HOTELS
Contemporary hotels in Fujian’s cities, chosen for their comfort, location and character. A practical, comfortable base from which to explore the region.
HOMESTAYS & GUESTHOUSES
Stay closer to local life in traditional homes and characterful guesthouses. Comforts are simpler in some locations, but the sense of place is part of the appeal.
EXCEPTIONAL HOTELS
Distinctive properties selected for their setting, design and considered hospitality, offering a more elevated stay and a memorable sense of place.
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
Southern Fujian's built heritage reflects the region's prosperity, craftsmanship and longstanding cultural connections. Ornate Minnan ancestral halls, arcaded streets and elaborate family residences reveal how architecture expresses status, identity and a strong sense of belonging.
Religious landmarks bear witness to the many communities that once lived and traded here, while grand houses built by returning overseas Chinese tell stories of migration, ambition and fortunes made abroad. Further inland, Hakka ancestral halls and traditional dwellings reveal a different architectural tradition, shaped by collective living and enduring family ties.
COMMUNAL LIVING
In the Hakka villages of southern Fujian, family and community remain central to daily life. Explore traditional settlements, walk ancient village paths and discover how shared spaces, ancestral halls and family homes reflect generations of communal living.
Depending on the season and local arrangements, experiences may include tea picking, bamboo shoot harvesting, preparing regional dishes or learning traditional crafts. Visits to family homes and shared meals offer opportunities to understand local customs through the people who maintain them. In neighbouring Guangdong, the weilongwu provide a complementary perspective on Hakka family life and ancestral traditions.
FOOD & FLAVOURS
Southern Fujian's cuisine reflects its varied landscapes and regional traditions. Along the coast, Minnan cooking is known for fresh seafood, delicate broths and carefully balanced flavours, with local markets offering a glimpse of the ingredients that shape everyday meals.
Further inland, Hakka cuisine favours heartier dishes, preserved ingredients and time-honoured cooking methods. Meals often reflect the practical traditions of rural life, where seasonal produce and communal preparation remain important. Exploring both culinary traditions reveals the regional variety that makes Fujian particularly rewarding for food lovers.
SELF-GUIDED ESCAPES
Stay in a traditional tulou hamlet in the subtropical mountains west of Xiamen and explore the surrounding countryside at your own pace. Pre-arranged essentials provide a comfortable foundation for independent discovery, while a personalised handbook and 24/7 WeChat concierge offer practical guidance whenever needed.
Follow mountain paths between villages, share tea with local residents and experience the rhythms of rural life. Depending on local arrangements, you may learn about rammed-earth construction, help prepare home-cooked dishes or cool off beside a forest waterfall.
GUIDE TO PRICING
Every Fujian journey is tailored to your interests, travel style and budget. Depending on your itinerary, arrangements include a Personal Explorer, private transport, accommodation and selected meals.
Indicative pricing: RMB 1,300–2,400+ per person per day, depending on group size and programme specifications. Rates are generally lower for groups of six or more and higher for two travellers. Prices assume two people sharing a room. Our Self-Guided Escapes offer a more affordable alternative, with essential arrangements, a personalised handbook and 24/7 WeChat support.
Travelling with children? Children under 6 travel free of charge, while children aged 6–12 receive a 10% discount on the per-person programme price.