Off the beaten path

Xiamen & Fujian Tulou

厦门／福建土楼 · Southeast China

Colonial island charm plus the Hakka earth castles of the countryside — a favorite of returning visitors.

March–May and October–November

3 days

High-speed rail from Shanghai (~5–6 h) or flights. Gulangyu ferry tickets need advance booking.

Don't miss in Xiamen & Fujian Tulou

The experiences Western travelers rate highest here.

A car-free island of colonial villas, piano museums and seafood alleys, 10 minutes by ferry from Xiamen.

Mud-circle communal fortresses of the Hakka people — the 'flying saucers' of Fujian, some housing 800 residents.

More destinations at the same level of the journey.

China's best-preserved walled city — a complete Ming-Qing county town of banks, courtyards and lantern-lit lanes.

The Silk Road's desert gateway — painted caves and singing dunes at the edge of the Gobi.

The roof of the world — a spiritual bucket-list destination, but foreigners must arrange a permit and guided tour in advance.

China's tropical island — white-sand beaches and rainforest, visa-free for most Western passports via Hainan's special scheme.