A Tale of Two Provinces:
Rediscovering Roots in Guangdong and Fujian
Embark on an adventure the spans the ancestral villages, towns, and cities in Guangdong and Fujian provinces and learn about the historical home of millions of Chinese immigrants who went abroad in search for opportunities. Join us as we learn about Southern China through a deeply immersive, historical, cultural, culinary, and educational lens.
If there are nearby cities not listed that you would like to visit, chat with us to see how we can incorporate them into the itinerary. We hope to expand to other provinces in 2025 or 2026.
Dec 14: Hong Kong SAR
You will arrive at Hong Kong International Airport from your home airport (this is a flight you must book on your own). We will gather for a welcome dinner and go over logistics for our two week adventure. After dinner is free time to explore Hong Kong - get excited (and lots of rest)!
Meals included: Welcome Dinner
Dec 15: Guangzhou, Guangdong
In the morning, we will take a train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou (train ticket included in cost of trip; length of train ride: 1-1.5 hrs). We will tour Guangzhou's historic neighborhoods (ex: Shamian Island) and eat the most famous cuisine of Guangzhou, dim sum! End the day with free time after dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dec 16: Guangzhou, Guangdong
This is a full day dedicated to deep exploration of the city of Guangzhou! Get a mix of modern and historical Guangzhou during our visit to Canton Tower, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, Bruce Lee's Ancestral Home, Dafo Temple, Baomo Garden.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dec 17: Shantou, Guangdong
From Guangzhou, we will take a train to Shantou (train ticket included in cost of trip). This is the birthplace of Teochew (Chaozhou) cuisine. There were many Teochew immigrants who migrated from the Shantou region to Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong). In Shantou, we will explore the Old Downtown. Enjoy free time after dinner!
Meals included: Breakfast (at hotel), Dinner
Dec 18: Chaozhou, Guangdong
On this day, we will take a short train ride (train ticket included in cost of trip) to Chaozhou, the capital of Teochew culture. We will visit Chaozhou Arch Street, Guangji Gate Tower, and Guangji Bridge! Fun Fact: There is an old Chinese saying ("到潮不到桥，枉向潮州走一遭") which translates to "if you go to Chaozhou without visiting the bridge, you cannot say that you have been to Chaozhou."
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Dec 19: Fuzhou, Fujian
We will take a train from Shantou to Fuzhou, Fujian (train ticket included in cost of trip). ~300,000 immigrants from Fuzhou now reside in the US (up to 70,000 in NYC). If you have ever eaten at a Chinese restaurant in the strip mall near your house, it's likely run by an entrepreneurial Fuzhounese family. On day 1, we will visit Westlake Park, the most well-preserved and intact classical garden in Fuzhou. We'll rent a boat on the lake and then have free time in the afternoon & evening.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Dec 20: Fuzhou, Fujian
Returning to Fuzhou, we will go to popular sites such as 3 Lanes & 7 Alleys (Sanfang Qixiang), Shang Xia Hang, and Yan Tai Shan. In these places we visit, you will feel like you have been transported back to imperial China while also experiencing many elements of modern day China. And of course, we will enjoy many Fuzhounese street snacks in these historical and cultural areas. Free time after dinner!
Meals included: Breakfast (at hotel), Dinner
Dec 21: Fuzhou, Fujian
If you watched this video of Grace visiting her ancestral village, this day will resemble that experience. We will take a day trip to the villages of Fuzhou (we will hire private drivers to bring us to the villages and back to the city, this is included in the cost of the trip). The exact villages are to be determined. Before nightfall, we will return back to the city of Fuzhou for dinner and free time.
Meals included: Breakfast (at hotel), Lunch & Dinner
Dec 22: Quanzhou, Fujian (Day Trip)
From Fuzhou, we will travel by train (train ticket included in cost of trip) and stay a day in the ancient city of Quanzhou, which is part of the Maritime Silk Road. Quanzhou attracted merchants and shipbuilders from all over the world and is home to many religions. Here, we will visit Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Qinyuan Mountain, the China Museum of Fujian-Taiwan Kinship. We will return to Fuzhou in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dec 23-24: Hong Kong SAR
After a day of exploration in historical Quanzhou, we will take a train from Fuzhou to Hong Kong (train ticket included in cost of trip). On Dec. 23, we will tour Victoria Peak, Temple Street Night Market, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Avenue of Stars. On Dec 24, we will go to Ngong Ping 360, Big Buddha, Tai O Fishing Village. On both days, after dinner is free time!
Accommodations for the nights of Dec 23 and Dec 24 will be included. If you choose to stay in Asia after Dec. 24, you are responsible for booking your own accommodations.
*If you want to make it back to the US for Christmas, we recommend that you fly out no later than noon on December 25 (you gain a day).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What Is Included in the Price
- Grace & Yongjian accompany you on entirety of trip (except to/from airport and during free time)
- All hotel accommodations (mostly 4 star accommodations)
- All train tickets (high speed rail)
- Meals as listed
- All local tour guides + local private drivers*
- Entrance fees for museums
- Travel insurance through GeoBlue
- Goodie bag (From Roots to Bridges themed souvenirs!)
*in certain areas, where public transport does not exist, we will have to arrange for local private drivers
What Is Not Included in the Price
- Airfare from home to Hong Kong Intl Airport (HKG)
- Transport from HKG to hotel (Uber/Didi)
- Transport from the hotel to HKG (Uber/Didi)
- Meals not listed
- Room service, laundry, incidentals
- Souvenirs + gifts
- Baggage handling/storage
- Hospital bills and related medical expenses (this will be covered by travel insurance)
- Damaged or lost personal possessions (not covered by travel insurance)
For any additional questions about this group trip, please send an email to hello@graceandyj.com.