Fujian province is China's south eastern most provinces in the mainland facing Taiwan across the strait. The journey starts from Xiamen, beautiful seaport city with Gulangyu Island; then drive into the villages in the mountains south and west of Fujian for the magical Chinese architecture Tu Lou, the earthen buildings of Hakkas.

The unadorned tu lou are either round or square, and huge (10-17 meters' high); and were designed as a fortress and apartment building in one. The structures typically had only one entranceway and no windows at ground level. Each floor served a different function - the first hosts a well and livestock, the second is for food storage and the third and higher floors contain living spaces.

Hakka people still live in the houses, you can see the everyday scene of the residents: elderly and children alike, full of life: chicken, ducks and dogs, and people cooking, washing clothes and working in the houses. The houses are nestled in beautiful villages and landscape (rivers, rich trees and blossom and very pleasant weather.

Xiamen City is one of the top ten most advanced cities in China and a famous seaport city. Vehicle-free Gulangyu, a few minutes away by ferry, is all pleasant strolls and quiet back streets full of best-preserved collection of colonial mansions - brilliant bougainvillea.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive into Xiamen / Yongding
Beijing to Xiamen (CA1809 07:35-10:05)
Shanghai Hongqiao - Xiamen (FM9253 08:05-9:35)
Other locales: we welcome those to join us from other locales and meet us in Xiamen.

Go by coach (190 km east of Xiamen, 4 hours ) to southern Fujian across the mountains to explore the unique earth houses and Hakka people's life and customs. The Hakka people still live in these houses. We will have lunch in the middle of our journey. We first arrive in Yongding in the afternoon to explore its wonders of oriental architecture. We first visit Zhencheng Building (nicknamed "the prince" of round tulou), Rusheng (smallest one); Fuyu (rich landlord courtyard style); Quiju (Putala palace style) and Chengqi (with most ring layers) . Jiqing buildings, the most completed and oldest tu lou in Yongding county. We will stay in this very mysterious and fascinating earthen house.

Day 2 Longyan / Nan Jing / Xiamen
We will continue to drive along the picturesque villages to see more different types of Hakka earthen buildings including Tianluo Keng earthen building group, regarded as the most beautiful and unique earthen building by local people. Viewed from the above, they look like a blooming Chinese plum flower. In the afternoon, visit another two buildings, Hegui and Huaiyuan. Return to Xiamen by coach, and ferry to Gulangyu Island and stay overnight on the peaceful and cozy island.

Day 3 Xiamen Gulangyu Island / Fly out
Tour the Gulangyu Island, which was Xiamen's foreign concession until World War II and retains the architecture and ambience of that former time. With the  piano music floating out of houses in the lanes, we will explore on foot various points of interest which are scattered around the island and enjoy the peace and quiet of a bygone era. In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly out
Xiamen to Beijing (arrival around 7pm)
Xiamen to Shanghai Hongqiao (arrival around 8-9pm)

Depart Beijing Three Tiers	Price	Single Supplement	Payment Deadline -the date on/before which payment must be RECEIVED by CCC	Method of transport
Early Bird Price	RMB5,500	RMB400(2 nights)	2010-01-29	To: flight From: flight
Regular Price				To: flight From: flight
Last minute Price	RMB6,000	RMB400(2 nights)	2010-02-11	To: flight From: flight

Depart Shanghai Three Tiers	Price	Single Supplement	Payment Deadline -the date on/before which payment must be RECEIVED by CCC	Method of transport
Early Bird Price	RMB4,600	RMB400(2 nights)	2010-01-29	To: flight From: flight
Regular Price				To: flight From: flight
Last minute Price	RMB4,800	RMB400(2 nights)	2010-02-11	To: flight From: flight

Depart other locales:

We welcome those to join us from other locales. Your tour price will be adjusted based on your departure city.

Children's Discounts

Payment Terms and Conditions

Payment must be received before published deadline to receive corresponding price. Please refer to the following terms and conditions associated with each method of payment:

Payment at office: CCC must receive the amount (Cash or from credit card) before the published deadline to receive corresponding price.

Credit card: If paying by international credit card authorization form (moto form), CCC must receive your form 2 days before the published deadline in order to have time to process it, and for funds to be received on/by the published deadline.(click to view details)

Bank Transfer: CCC now requires that your payment must be transferred into Chinese RMB before you wire your bank transfer. We must receive a copy of the bank transfer receipt before the published deadline in order to guarantee your price.

Last minute booking: CCC cannot guarantee that we will be able to reserve tickets and rooms at this late stage but we will try our best. Thank you for your understanding.

CCC will respond to every email concerning payment immediately. If you do not hear from us this may indicate that we may not have received your email and we would advise you to call us to confirm. We cannot guarantee that we receive every email so the onus is on you to ensure we receive the payment information before the published deadlines. Thank you for your understanding.


CCC services include:

--round flight from Beijing/Shanghai to Xiamen
--2 nights accommodation (1 night in one of the best 4-star hotels in Xiamen; 1 night inside the tulou house, authentic experience).
--transfers in customary air conditioned coaches
--entrance fee and ferry boat fee for all sights mentioned in the program
--all sightseeing and transfers with CCC guides & local English-speaking tour guides
--All meals during the trip
--Gratuities to the guide and driver
--Local travel insurance

If there are less than 10 participants, CCC has the right to cancel the trip.