Silversea Luxury Cruises To Xiamen

Xiamen's delightful mix of gardens and beaches, as well as its attractive island setting make this town a favorite with Chinese vacationers and international travelers. Exploring the island on this bike adventure provides a leisurely and fun experience.

Island Ring Road Bike Tour

Leaving the port by coach, follow a scenic coastal drive along the eastern shore of Xiamen to the starting point of your bicycle tour on the Island Ring Road. The Ring Road, skirting the seashore, totals 19.25 miles (31 km) and serves as the race track for the annual international marathon. After obtaining your bicycle and following a short briefing, you are set to begin a 30- to 40-minute bike ride along the Ring Road's fully developed bicycle lane. Along the way, you can enjoy Xiamen's celebrated views of beautiful land- and seascapes.

Tai Chi Lesson

After bicycling to the seacoast square, participate in a traditional Tai Chi class. Tai Chi is an ancient form of exercise originating from the unusual combination of self-defense and Taoism. Its slow continuous movements create a harmony between the inner and outer bod. It features the hard and soft martial art technique, celebrated through generations of Chinese for its contribution for human health and longevity. Feast your eyes on the demonstration by the Chinese Tai Chi master and learn the basic moves.

Tea Ceremony

Next, experience a tea ceremony, a true experience as China's tea culture is undoubtedly the leading one in the world. This delicate and interesting ceremony illustrates how the Chinese people have developed the simple action of tea drinking into such a unique and refined form of art. Learn about the classification of different types of tea and samples some varieties. Enjoy a local dessert specially selected to highlight the tea aroma.

Zeng Cuo'an

From here, transfer by coach to the Zeng Cuo'an area. Located at the southernmost tip of Xiamen Island, Zeng cuo'an originally was the village of the extensive Zeng clan. Ambitious tourism efforts launched a restoration project to transform the village into a new tourist attraction. Many houses, restored in traditional local architectural style, have been turned into home-style hostels, cafés and shops. Today, Zeng cuo'an presents a polished and glamorous image of the old Seafood Street and has become one of Xiamen's major tourist attractions.

Following your visit, rejoin your coach and return to the ship.

Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking and a 30- to 40-minute bicycle ride. Casual dress and closed-toe shoes are recommended. The tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Local residents act as guides; their accents may be heavy. The tour sequence may vary.

Experience the most dazzling performance of acrobatics, Chinese martial arts and folkloric dancing in Xiamen during this unforgettable, half-day cultural excursion.

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Xiamen Shenyou Huaxia Theatre. Upon arrival, you are seated for an all-weather, 360-degree, large-scale indoor show, 'The Legend of Minnan'. This show is an annotation of local conditions and customs of the Minnan area, and the epic saga of Chinese people who are chasing their dreams. Even more astounding is the 360-degree auditorium, which can accommodate 3,000 audience members at one time and is the world's first ultra-indoor annular live stage.

During this performance, marvel at the most authentic art elements in the region. The show features a mix of acrobatics, Chinese martial arts, and folkloric dances in traditional Chinese costumes and skilful diving. Incorporated with various types of high-tech stage effects, this show is definitely the most dazzling spectacle in Xiamen. At the conclusion of the show, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 383 yards (about 350 metres), at times on a slight incline, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and up to 20 steps at the theatre. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended. This programme becomes non-refundable 72-hours prior to arrival in the port of Xiamen.

Take a step back into time on this half-day visit to an architectural past.

Officially designated as an International Foreign Settlement in 1903, this foreign enclave on the small island of Gulangyu was by then well established. Today, the only reminders of the settlement are the charming colonial buildings which blanket the island, and the sound of classical piano drifting from the windows of the villas.

Gulangyu Island

Travel by chartered ferry to Gulangyu, where electric carts take you across the island for a look at the quaint architecture of the interesting old buildings and to listen to the pieces of local history that surrounds them. Gas-powered vehicles are not permitted on the winding routes on the island.

Shuzhuang Garden

Your visit includes a visit to Shuzhuang Garden - an exquisitely designed garden modeled after the private Banqiao Villa in Taiwan. Inside the garden, visit the Piano Museum which follows Gulangyu's intriguing connections with musical instruments. Walk past the old consulate to view charming old colonial buildings and villas that represent the unique architectural style of an era that is long past, but not forgotten.

Before returning to the Ferry pier, stroll through the meandering alleys where you can feast your eyes on an array of exotic local seafood and visit small boutiques for local souvenirs along the way.

Afterwards, walk to the ferry pier for the ride back to Xiamen and the ship.

Please note: Travel between Xiamen and Gulangyu is via a chartered ferry, a trip of approximately 30 minutes in each direction. Once on the island, an extensive amount of walking is required, some of which is over uneven surfaces and there are steps to climb. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Although a minimum number of guests is required to operate this tour, the capacity is limited by the number of available carts, up to six guests per cart, and the group may be split into two. Therefore, the order of sites and path of the carts may vary. Local residents act as guides; their accents may be heavy.

Explore Xiamen at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 5 days prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary. Due to the limited availability of qualified English-speaking guides in this region, this service is in very limited supply.

Explore Xiamen at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 5 days prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary. Due to the limited availability of qualified English-speaking guides in this region, this service is in very limited supply.

Explore Xiamen at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 5 days prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 3-4 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary. Due to the limited availability of qualified English-speaking guides in this region, this service is in very limited supply.

Explore Xiamen at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 5 days prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 3-4 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this programme. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary. Due to the limited availability of qualified English-speaking guides in this region, this service is in very limited supply.

Take in the highlights of Xiamen on this half-day exploration of the local surrounds before stopping in the old town. In addition to a scenic coastal drive, visit the following areas of interest:

The Folk Exhibition of Xiamen

The Folk Exhibition of Xiamen is arranged according to the traditional customs in South Fujian Province (marriage; death; birth; grown-up ceremony; sacrifice). The exhibition highlights the daily activities of the Fujian people including the various and unique characters of the local culture. The exhibition is divided into five parts: the lobby; spring; summer; autumn; winter.

South Putuo Temple

Re-board the coach and proceed to the South Putuo Temple. Located on the southern outskirts of Xiamen, this house of worship was built during Tang Dynasty, more than one thousand years ago. It is so named because it lies to the south of Putuoshan, one of the most respected Buddhist venues in China. Entering the front gate, arrive at the Heavenly King Hall, which houses a huge laughing Buddha, accompanied by the four heavenly kings on either side. This temple is one of the more famous in South China and since 1924, it has also been the home and training centre for men and women seeking the enlightened path to becoming a monk.

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Tea Ceremony

Next, you are invited to join a tea ceremony, a true experience as China's tea culture is undoubtedly the leading one in the world. This delicate and interesting ceremony illustrates how the Chinese people have developed the simple action of tea drinking into such a unique and refined form of art. Learn about the classification of different types of tea and samples some varieties.

Afterward, the coach returns you to the pier

Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking, with many steps to climb at the temple. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair.