Traces the footsteps of overseas Hakkas in Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Designed for overseas Chinese and those interested in Southern Chinese culture and history.
Historically, Hakkas ("guest people/guest families") immigrated to Southeast and South Asia, Taiwan, the Americas, Europe, the Carribbean, and beyond. We will start the trip in Hong Kong where we'll explore ancient Hakka villages in the New Territories. Then, we will visit fortified Hakka settlements in Shenzhen before visiting the ancient capital of Hakkas: Meizhou. In Meizhou’s Hakka Museum, learn about your ancestors and their history, culture, and traditions before taking a road trip through Dabu County to Songkou Port and Lee Kuan Yew’s ancestral home. Then, we will spend the next few days in historical Hakka villages, tulous, homestays and farm-to-table restaurants before wrapping up in Zhangzhou.
Don't see a departure date that works for you? Email us at hello@fromrootstobridges.com and we will set up a custom departure date for you!
Day 1 - 2: Hong Kong SAR
Day 3 - 4: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Day 5: Meizhou, Guangdong, China
Day 6: Dabu County, Guangdong, China
Day 7: Yongding, Fujian, China
Day 8: Nanjing, Fujian, China
Day 9: Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
Day 10: Return to Hong Kong SAR
Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time).
For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic. Costs differ for single and double occupancy.
All meals are included during the trip. On arrival day, only dinner is included and on departure day, only breakfast is included.
For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All overland transportation, including high speed trains, buses, and rideshares.
To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag!
REQUIRED to cover unexpected delays, lost luggage, medical expenses
Each traveler is responsible for determining if they need the tourist visa
Get oriented on Day 1 in Hong Kong. Because travelers will be arriving at various times throughout this day, this is a free day for you to decide what you'd like to do. In the evening, we will all meet for a welcome dinner.
On Day 2, we will take a ferry to Lai Chi Wo to visit one of the most historical and well-preserved Hakka settlements in the New Territories. The area houses a series of some of the oldest Hakka settlements, which have been inhabited for over 400 years during the Ming Dynasty. In Lai Chi Wo, we will learn about the Hakka people who migrated to Hong Kong and hike to three different villages: Lai Chi Wo 荔枝窩, Mui Tzi Lam 梅子林, and Kop Tong 蛤塘.
Enjoy a family style lunch at a local village restaurant and sample traditional Hakka dishes such as braised pork and yellow wine chicken.
In the afternoon, we will cross the border to Shenzhen for dinner.
While Shenzhen is mostly known as a modern metropolis that has experienced rapid economic growth, the city guards a quieter, profound history as the home to some of the region's most historical Hakka settlements.
The Hakkas began establishing their communities here during the Song Dynasty. Today, over 100 traditional Hakka dwellings still survive in the outskirts of the city. These fortress-like homes reflect the history of Hakka migration and its people’s resilience.
We will visit:
Dapeng Fortress (大鹏所城, Dapeng Suocheng): A Ming-era fortified coastal town built as a defense against pirates.
Dawan Ancestral Residence (大万世居): Built in 1791, this is China’s largest and most completely preserved Hakka-style square compound.
Crane Lake Hakka House (鹤湖新居, Hehu Xinju): Now a museum, this fortified village was built over 200 years ago by the Luo family and took several generations to complete. In its golden age, it was home to approximately 1,000 people.
Enjoy a day of exploration & shopping in Shenzhen. Visit the renowned MixC mall, a premier shopping destination. Here you can explore luxury brands (tax-free for eligible visitors), and perhaps browse its famous bookstore, an architectural and cultural landmark.
Evening: Enjoy an early dinner in Shenzhen. We will take a comfortable high-speed train (approx. 2.5 hour journey) to Meizhou. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel for a great night's rest.
Meizhou, also known as Moiyan, is an important region for Hakkas worldwide. 95% of the world’s Hakka Chinese diaspora trace their roots to Meizhou and the surrounding areas.
In Meizhou, start the day with a simple, traditional but hearty Hakka breakfast of Yanmian- marinated noodles.
Visit the Museum of Hakka Culture to learn more about the migration of Hakka people, both within China and abroad. Visit the nearby 人境庐 and 东山书院.
In the afternoon, we will visit Jiangbei Old Street 江北老街. This historic area is known for its preserved buildings that feature a unique mix of Hakka and Western architecture. Many of the shops and restaurants here are run by overseas Chinese of Hakka descent who have returned to China. You can hear lots of people speaking Hakka here so it’s a great chance to chat with the locals!
For dinner, we will have a traditional dinner in a traditional Hakka walled Weilong House. Try Hakka specialties such as stuffed tofu 酿豆腐 and steamed pork in preserved vegetables (moi choi kiew niouk 梅菜扣肉)
Our first stop of the day is Songkou, the historic departure point on the Meijiang River, where Hakkas boarded boats for the journey to Southeast Asia and beyond. Visit the Memorial Site of Overseas Chinese here, as well as a historical hotel where prominent immigrants stayed.
Neraby, we will ascend the 元魅塔 tower. Built in the late Ming Dynasty, its purpose served as a symbolism of homecoming for the returning Hakka diaspora.
From Songkou, we will visit Baihou Ancient Town- another important overseas Hakka settlement.
In the afternoon, we will continue driving through the Hakka communities of Dabu county, visiting important landmarks such as Lee Kuan Yew’s ancestral village. A highlight includes a visit to Tai’an Lou, a rectangular style tulou complex with 200 rooms that dates back to 1764.
Cross from Guangdong to Fujian province and begin our 2 day excursion of the Hakka roundhouses (tulous). We will visit many tulous from the the Chuxi tulou cluster. Dinner will be provided at a Hakka farm-to-table restaurant.
Today, we will explore the Nanjing Tulou cluster. Comprising over 15,000 structures, this area is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights include several famous clusters, such as the "Four Dishes and One Soup" cluster.
In the morning, we head to Zhangzhou, in Fujian's Hokkien region.
While Quanzhou and Xiamen are better known cities in Fujian, Zhangzhou is a vital yet often overlooked pillar of Hokkien history and culture. Its unique position—bordering the Hakka and Teochew regions—has given it a distinctive character, shaped by layers of trade, migration, and cultural exchange. We will spend the day exploring the historic sites and living traditions of this fascinating area.
After brunch, take a high speed train from Zhangzhou to Hong Kong.
Not returning to Hong Kong? Please inform us in advance.
