Luxury Cruise China Coast
From sacred temples to seaside villages — discover the timeless soul of China’s southeastern shores.
In this culture tour of southeast coast of China, during this eight-day, seven-night journey, we will explore three major cities along the southeast coast of China and their surrounding islands one by one, experiencing the cultural charm from north to south, from Buddhist temples to fishing villages, from ancient libraries to modern universities, and the endless humanistic appeal that awaits us.
Itineraries
Day 1 Departing from Shanghai
Embarkation day 10:00 – 16:00
Day 2 Ningbo – Zhoushan islands
6:00 – 24:00 (overnight, land hotel stay options) Tianyi pavilion, Nantang old street, Dongqian lake, Old bund.
Day 3 Zhoushan – Putuo, Zhujiajian
0:00 – 20:00 Putuo mountain, Guanyinfajie,
Day 4 Seaday
Day 5 Quanzhou
6:00 – 21:00 Kaiyuan temple, Quanzhou Maritime Silk Road Museum, Xunpu vallige flower adornment activity.
Day 6 Xiamen
7:00 – 22:00 Gulangyu island, Nanputuo temple, Xiamen university.
Day 7 Seaday
farewell party
Day 8 Arriving in Shanghai
Day 1 Shanghai
Embarkation day – Get ready for the amazing journey
exploring Shanghai & setoff deck ceremony
Day 2 Ningbo, Zhoushan island
Ningbo
Morning: Tianyi Pavilion
- Introduction: Tianyi Pavilion is the oldest existing private library in China and one of the three earliest existing private libraries in the world. It was built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1561 – 1566 AD). The overall layout is composed of three functional areas: library culture area, garden leisure area and exhibition area.
- Address: No. 92, Changchun Road, Haishu District, Ningbo.
- Opening Hours: Usually 08:30 – 17:00 (subject to seasonal adjustments).
- Ticket Price: 30 RMB.
Noon: Lunch and Nantang Old Street
- Lunch: Near Tianyi Pavilion, you can go to Ninghai Shifu (Zongdian · Tianyi Ge Wangjing Dian) to taste local cuisine such as Ningbo roast vegetables. Or go to Gangyagou (Tianyi Square Dian) to try Ningbo tangyuan.
- Nantang Old Street: It is not far from Tianyi Pavilion. You can walk there. In NantangOld Street, you can stroll around, taste various snacks like Nantang youzanzi, and feel the traditional atmosphere of Ningbo.
Afternoon: Dongqian Lake
- Introduction: Dongqian Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Zhejiang. It is known as the “back garden of Ningbo”. You can enjoy the beautiful lake view, and there are also many recreational activities such as boating.
- Address: Dongqian Lake Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo.
- How to Get There: You can take subway Line 4 to Dongqian Lake Station, and then rent an electric bike or take a bus to the scenic area.
- Recommended Itinerary: After arriving at Dongqian Lake, you can rent a bike and ride along the lake. Stop at the Academician Center to see the popular – tree and the Little Erhai viewing deck, then go to Limin Village to visit the artistic cafes, and finally go to Hanling Old Street to taste local food and buy some souvenirs.
Evening: Old Bund
- Introduction: Ningbo Old Bund is 20 years earlier than Shanghai Bund. It has a long history and was an important port of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Here, you can see beautiful European – style old buildings, and at night, the lights are on, which is very charming.
- Address: No. 159, Zhongshan Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo.
- How to Get There: You can take subway Line 2 to Old Bund Station.
- Activity: You can stroll along the Bund, enjoy the night view of the Sanjiang Estuary, and also enter some bars or restaurants to feel the nightlife atmosphere.
Day 3 Putuo, zhujiajian
Putuo Mountain Core Attractions
As one of China’s Four Great Buddhist Mountains and the dharma seat of Guanyin Bodhisattva, it boasts must-experience highlights:
- Pilgrimage to the Three Great Temples: Pujing Chan Temple, Fayu Chan Temple, and Huiji Chan Temple
- Paying respects to the Giant Guanyin Statue by the South China Sea
- Visiting Purple Bamboo Grove and Bu ken qu Guanyin Courtyard (the “Unwilling-to-Leave Guanyin Courtyard”)
- Strolling along Baibu Beach (Hundred-Step Beach) and Qianbu Beach (Thousand-Step Beach)
Guanyinfajie
Putuoluojia Pilgrimage & Experience Guide
1. Blessing Cards
- Pick-up: Left Area, 1F Main Sanctuary
- Submission: Inside Yuantong Main Hall (1F)
2. Animated Film “Putuoluojia”
- 4 daily shows: 10:30/12:40/14:10/15:50
- Venue: Grand Dazhuangyan Hall (1F)
3. Light Show “Sumeru Mountain”
- 4 daily shows: 10:15/11:50/13:50/15:30
- Best View: 3F & 4F Circumambulation Corridors
4. Yuantong Hall Light Show
- Venue: Inside Yuantong Main Hall (1F)
- Time: On the hour (every 60 mins)
5. Cultural & Dining
- Sutra Copying: Handwritten Buddhist Scripture Calligraphy
- Dining: Vegetarian Noodle Restaurant
Recommended Route
Morning: Collect blessing card (1F Main Sanctuary) → Watch “Sumeru Mountain” light show (10:15, 3F Corridor) → Enjoy vegetarian noodles.
Afternoon: Copy scriptures → Watch animated film “Putuoluojia” (14:10) → Submit blessing card at Yuantong Main Hall & watch its hourly light show.
About local food experience
1 Vegetarian meals in the temples: The vegetarian meal at Puji Temple costs 10 yuan per person and is served from 10:30 to 11:30. The vegetarian meal at Fayu Temple costs 5 yuan per person. You need to experience the dining ritual of the temple and wash your own bowls and chopsticks after the meal.
Day 4 At Sea
Sea Day – The Art of Slow Travel
A day at sea along China’s southern coast invites you to embrace serenity and indulgence in equal measure. Begin your morning with sunrise yoga on deck or a quiet tea ceremony overlooking the open horizon. Throughout the day, enjoy gourmet F&B experiences featuring refined Asian fusion cuisine and premium wines, or unwind in the spa with bespoke treatments inspired by traditional Chinese wellness rituals. As the ship glides across calm waters, curated entertainment, art workshops, and tasting sessions await those seeking inspiration. Whether you choose relaxation or discovery, this tranquil sea day is designed to restore balance, connect you with the ocean, and celebrate the essence of luxury cruising along China’s coast.
Day 5 Quanzhou
Morning: Exploration of World Heritage Culture
- 7:30 – 8:00: Have breakfast at Shuimen Guozai Mianxianhu. Mianxianhu is a traditional Minnan – style dish.
- 8:00 – 10:00: Visit Kaiyuan Temple. It is one of the largest and best – preserved ancient temples in Fujian, built in the Tang Dynasty. As a key Buddhist hub along the Maritime Silk Road, the temple blends traditional Chinese architecture with overseas cultural influences. Its twin stone pagodas, the East and West Pagodas, are architectural masterpieces. The temple is free of charge, but it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.
- 10:00 – 11:30: Walk around West Street. It is a historic street with arcade – style buildings. You can taste local snacks such as Wu’s Maci and Tusan Dong. Also, don’t miss the popular “Quanzhou” wall for taking photos. And you can visit Xiaoxicheng, an artistic block, to experience intangible cultural heritage and cultural and creative products.
Afternoon: Religious and Maritime Silk Road History
- 13:00 – 14:30: Visit Qingjing Mosque, also named the Ashab Mosque. It is the oldest of the Arab – style mosques in China, constructed in 1009. The ticket price is 3 yuan. Please dress appropriately. Next to it is Guanyue Temple, which is very popular and has magnificent architectural decorations.
- 14:30 – 16:00: You can choose to visit the Quanzhou Maritime Silk Road Museum to learn about the history of the Maritime Silk Road.
- 16:00 – 17:30: Go to Xunpu Village. It is about 20 minutes by taxi from the city center. Here, you can experience the Flower Adornment Activity. For 40 – 50 yuan, you can get your hair styled and rent traditional clothing. Xunpu Village is also famous for its oyster – shell houses, which are unique folk houses built with oyster shells.
Day 6 Xiamen
A one – day tour in Xiamen can be arranged as follows:
Morning: Gulangyu Island
- Take a ferry from Xiamen’s harbor to Gulangyu Island. The ferry ticket costs 35 yuan per person for a round – trip. It is recommended to buy tickets 1 – 3 days in advance through the “Xiamen Ferry” official account.
- After arriving at the island, stroll along the cobblestone streets, visit the Shuzhuang Garden (entrance fee: 30 yuan per person), which is famous for its unique “hidden sea” design.
- Climb to the top of Sunlight Rock (entrance fee: 50 yuan per person) to overlook the whole island with its red – tiled roofs, green trees, and the blue sea and sky.
Noon: Zhongshan Road
- Return to the mainland from Gulangyu Island and walk to Zhongshan Road, which is the most time – honored commercial street in Xiamen.
- Here, you can enjoy local cuisine. For example, go to Huangzehe Peanut Soup Shop to taste sweet and dense peanut soup with fried dough sticks, or go to Jiawei Zaitian to try local snacks like (edible jellyfish), oyster omelets, and satay noodles.
Afternoon: Nanputuo Temple and Xiamen University
- First, visit Nanputuo Temple, a Buddhist holy place in southern Fujian. It is free to enter, but reservation is required. You can taste vegetarian food here and feel the peaceful atmosphere.
- Then, visit Xiamen University. It is also free, but you need to make a reservation in advance through the “Xiamen University Visitor Reservation System”. As one of the most beautiful campuses in China, you can stroll in the Furong Tunnel full of student graffiti and enjoy the lake view of Lover’s Valley.
Day 7 Arriving Shanghai
Farewell party
Farewell Party – A Night to Remember
As your journey along China’s southern coast draws to a close, the Beyond the Deck Farewell Party transforms the final evening into a celebration of shared memories and refined elegance. Under a canopy of stars, guests gather on the upper deck for a sunset cocktail reception accompanied by live classical and jazz performances. The evening unfolds with a fine dining experience featuring regional delicacies and sommelier-selected wines, followed by moments of laughter, storytelling, and connection among newfound friends. The night concludes with a champagne toast as the lights of the coastline shimmer in the distance — a poetic reminder that while the voyage ends, its spirit of luxury, culture, and discovery sails on.