SOUTHERN CHINA

Xiamen – That is where I belong! I came from the Fujian (Hokkien) clans in a small town called Amoy, China. My forefathers are from a little village, of fisherman. I did not get to visit my forefather's village called Lam Hua but at least I get to see how Xiamen looks like. I wonder whether my forefather's village is still in existence today.

POINTING AT FUJIAN STREET AT GULANGYU ISLAND

Xiamen is a sub-provincial city in southeastern Fujian, the fourth largest island in Fujian Province.

This is my second visit to Xiamen after the first one in 2011. This time around in 2019, I want to take my mother to see our forefather's city, after much delayed in doing so.

I CAN TOUCH YOU LIGHTHOUSE

We then signed up for a 6D5N tour (6/11 – 11/11/2019) covering five places namely Shantou, Hua An, Zhangzhou, Xiamen and Chaozhou, located in Southern China.

DAY 1 (6/11/2019)

Our flight Air Asia AK142 departed at 11 am from KLIA 2 and reached Shantou Airport at about 4pm.

SHI PAO TAI PARK, SHANTOU

We are lucky as we have time to check out the first destination called Shi Pao Tai Park in Shantou – a park surrounded with beautiful lake, flower and fortress. The park was built in the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Guangxu completion of five years (1874 – 1979), which lasted five years at a cost of 80,000 silver dollar, as of now, more than 100-year-old history.

Later, there is a detour of the Seaside Corridor to view the beautiful scenery of the beach.

DAY 2 (7/11/2019)

Morning call is as early as 5.30am every day for the next five days.  

NANYANG LOU

 

The second day is a “must”visit to the Heritage Dadi Tulou Cluster to have a look of the archaic building namely Eryl Lo, Nanyang Lou and Dongyang Lou situated in Hua'An. It takes about three hours bus ride up the hilly mountain to arrive at Dadi Tulou Cluster. We spent half a day here where home-cook lunch is served here, followed with a detour around the clusters and a tea drinking session.

ERYL LO

Dadi Tulou Cluster is a representative of human and nature unity. Fujian Tulou is the most extraordinary tye of Chinese rural dwellings of the Hakka and others in the mountainous areas in southwestern Fujian.

DADI TULOU ARCHAIC ENTRANCE

The earth buildings are regarded as exceptional examples of a building tradition and function exemplifying a particular type of communal living and defensive organisation in a harmonious relationship with their environment.

DONGYANG LOU

A panoramic view of the Hua'an Dadi Tulou Cluster, Fujian comprises of – Eryl Lou (left), Nanyang Lou (middle) and Dongyang Lou (right). There are a total of 46 tulou sites in Dadi Tulou Cluster.

MING QING ANCIENT STREET

By evening, we visited the popular Ming Qing Ancient Street to peep into its old fashion shops in Zhangzhou.

DAY 3 (8/11/2019)

The third day we traveled from Zhangzhou to Xiamen. Upon reaching Xiamen, we are mesmerised with the massive development of the city – the scenery is similar as Singapore City – tall, majestic and impressive buildings surrounded by water (sea) and crossing the of the many bridges joining mainland to Xiamen Island.

XIAMEN, HERE I COME!

The third day is the most 'exhausted' one where we are going to a few places such as – HuanDao Road (pass by), Xiamen University (outlook), Lesser Kinmen (Overview), South Putuo Temple, and Gulangyu Island. 

LESSER KINMEN

 

In the morning, we covered South Putuo Temple – a famous Buddhist temple founded in the Tang Dynasty and deemed to be one of the must-go tourist places in Xiamen.

We have lunch at Lesser Kinmen and took photographs by the beach side.

SOUTH PUTUO TEMPLE

After lunch, we hip hop into an overly packed ferry to the Gulangyu Island (Wan Guo Buildings) – is renowned for its delicate natural beauty, its ancient relics and its varied architecture. The island is beautifully designed with old looking buildings where one can take photographs as well as food streets. 

GULANGYU ISLAND OLD BUILDINGS

It is a popular island for taking wedding photographs where the old building acts as a backdrop to the photograph. We have a sumptuous dinner on the island.

GULANGYU ISLAND

By 8pm, we returned to Xiamen land, we are allotted one hour shopping spree at Longtou Street – so called for selling branded items, located next to the ferry station.

DAY 4 (9/11/2019)

Our second day in Xiamen is a city tour – to see the Xiamen Lighthouse Park, WuYuan Bay and Wooden Board Area, JiMei School Village and Bailuzhou Park.

XIAMEN LIGHTHOUSE PARK

I am impressed with the Xiamen Lighthouse Park – clean, neat and a recommended place to pose for photographs.

WU YUAN BAY + WOODEN BOARD AREA

Next, is the Wu Yuan Bay + Wooden Board Area – the largest park in Xiamen, land with freshwater is created as a paradise for bird feeding and sheltering. Additionally, with the construction of wooden board road, pavilion, tower, house, dike, bridge, the park is one of the most popular one in Xiamen.

JIMEI SCHOOL VILLAGE

After lunch, we stopped by the scenic JiMei School Village – Jimei is one of the four most popular tourist sites of Xiamen City especially for this academic atmosphere as well as pretty natural and social sights.

BAILUZHOU PARK

By night, we have stop by to admire the Bailuzhou Park – Goddess sculpture is a symbol of the island and also the quality of urban sculpture in Xiamen. The Goddess beautiful posture, sit silently knelt on a rock, combing long hair, many visitors stop and take pictures in this area.

DAY 5 (10/11/2019)

Today, is another traveling day where we traveled from Xiamen to Chaozhou (Teochew) - to view the oldest town called Chaozhou Ancient Town and to experience the Chaozhou cultural and traditional livelihood, here. 

XIANGZI BRIDGE

 

In this ancient town, one can have a look at the Ancient City Wall, Xiangzi Bridge, Guangji City Gate, Bingjiang Corridor, JianDi lane, MingQing Arch Gate Street.

CHAOZHOU ANCIENT CITY WALL/ GUANGJI CITY GATE

We have a chance to visit the KaiYuan Temple located in this ancient township which features architectural style and artistic quality of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. 

KAI YUAN TEMPLE

 

The MingQing Arch Gate Street is made up of four lanes of old shops selling Chaozhou snacks, traditional toys, lantern, tea, food and all kinds of items.

MINGQING ARCH GATE STREET

Not to be missed is experiencing a breezy trishaw ride from the ancient town back to the entrance before we return back to Shantou.

DAY 6 (11/11/2019)

Finale! In Shantou - we managed to visit People's Square, Laoma Temple and a new township before we departing for the Airport. 

PEOPLE'S PARK

 

LAOMA TEMPLE

 

POSING WITH TOUR GUIDE BEN LIM AT SHANTOU NEW TOWNSHIP

We posed for a last group photograph at the Airport before saying Sayonara to the 16 participants in this wholesome trip.

SAYONARA !! SHANTOU AIRPORT