This journey traces the footsteps of overseas Chinese (Cantonese, Toisanese, Teochew, and Hakka). Designed for overseas Chinese and those interested in the overseas Chinese diaspora. 

We will start the trip in Hong Kong where we'll explore ancient Hakka villages and experience the city's unique cultural heritage. We'll then delve into the heart of Guangdong in Guangzhou, savoring renowned dim sum and exploring historical landmarks. Our journey continues to Jiangmen, specifically Taishan (Toisan) and Kaiping, which are historically some of the largest sources of Chinese immigrants to North America in the 19th–20th centuries. We will visit Shantou, the gateway for millions of Teochew immigrants, where we'll visit temples and the grand residence of a prominent overseas Chinese. Finally, in Chaozhou, the cradle of Teochew culture, we'll immerse ourselves in ancient architecture, savor local delicacies, and pay homage to the rich cultural heritage that has shaped diasporic communities worldwide.

Choose between: 

DECEMBER 20 - 29, 2025 

DECEMBER 20 - 29, 2026 

Note: Want to follow this itinerary but on different dates? Email us at hello@fromrootstobridges.com with your desired dates & we will consider adding a future iteration of this trip!

Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Day 2: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Day 3 - 4: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 

Day 5 - 6: Taishan & Kaiping, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China 

Day 7: Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, China

Day 8: Shantou, Guangdong, China 

Day 9: Chaozhou, Guangdong, China

Day 10: Chaozhou, Guangdong, China (optional add on) 

Immerse Yourself in Historic Villages

In Hong Kong and China, we will walk through historic Hakka, Toisan and Teochew villages

Admire Kaiping's Towering Diaolous

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Diaolous, majestic towers built by wealthy overseas Chinese

Teochew Kuih Making Workshop

Discover the art of crafting kuih (粿),a traditional Teochew dessert made with sticky rice flour and a sweet or savory filling 

Day 1: Hong Kong SAR - Welcome Dinner Included

Day 2: Hong Kong SAR - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 3: Guangzhou - Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own

Day 4: Guangzhou - Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own 

Day 5: Taishan - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 6: Kaiping - Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own

Day 7: Shunde - Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own

Day 8: Shantou - Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own

Day 9: Chaozhou - Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own

Day 10: Chaozhou - Breakfast included

• 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. 
  • Optional activities: Take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak, take a stroll along the Avenue of Stars, visit the Hong Kong Museum of History to view the exhibit:  “Multifaceted Hong Kong” Exhibition Series: Sojourning in Gold Mountain – Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California, and visit the Temple Street Night Market.
• On Day 2, we begin with a day-long excursion to Hakka villages in Hong Kong (ex: Kat Hing Wai, Fanling Wai, Tsang Tai Uk) to learn more about the Hakka people who migrated from Guangdong to Hong Kong. 

• In Guangzhou, we will stroll through the city's historic heart, including the enchanting Shamian Island, where colonial architecture whispers tales of the past as a concession to France and the United Kingdom in the 19th century
• Our culinary adventure will be a highlight, savoring the renowned dim sum delicacies that showcase culinary arts passed from generation to generation.
• Experience the dynamic contrast of modern and historical Guangzhou as we ascend the iconic Canton Tower, marvel at the exquisite Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts, find tranquility amidst the serene Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, pay homage at Bruce Lee's ancestral home, and delve into the spiritual realm at Dafo Temple
• Our exploration culminates amidst the picturesque serenity of Liwan (Lychee Bay) Park, near Yong Qing Fang, one of Guangzhou's most historic neighborhoods. 

• Jiangmen is historically one of the largest sources of Chinese immigrants to North America in the 19th–20th centuries. If you trace your ancestry to Taishan or Kaiping, this is a perfect opportunity for you to dive deeper into the history of your family.
• In Taishan, we will visit the Taishan Overseas Chinese Culture Museum and the Chikan Ancient Town to visit the First Qiaoxiang Museum to learn about Taishan’s history as a major source of Chinese immigrants to the U.S. and Southeast Asia
  • In the evening, we will try traditional Taishanese seafood, salt baked chicken, and more! 
• In Kaiping, we will visit the Kaiping Diaolou (Zili Village & Li Garden), which are fortified towers built by wealthy overseas Chinese businessmen to keep their families safe while they were abroad and are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • We will also visit Majianglong Watchtowers, a serene village with diaolou hidden among bamboo forests, great for photography. 

• Shunde, now a district of Foshan, is the ancestral hometown of Bruce Lee and 1-2 million overseas Chinese descendants due to it's early migration starting in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and peaking in the 19th and 20th centuries. 
• In Shunde, we will learn more about the lives of our ancestors before their migration as we visit the historic Daliang District to visit the Shunde Overseas Chinese Museum, Qinghui Garden, Huagai Pedestrian Street, and the Chen Family Ancestral Hall. 
• Foshan is known as "the land of fish and rice" and "the city of Chinese Martial Arts" and boasts another 2-3 million more overseas Chinese descendants across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, United States of America, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, and Latin America.
• If time permits, we will visit the Foshan Ancestral Temple and/or the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln in Foshan. Otherwise, we will go straight to dinner!
• In Shunde, we will have a classic local dinner. Choose from fish porridge, claypot rice, or drunken chicken and pair it with double steamed milk pudding or grass jelly for desert. 

• From Guangzhou, we will take a train to Shantou, the birthplace of Teochew (Chaozhou) cuisine.
• Between 1864 and 1911 alone, nearly 3 million people Teochew immigrants migrated from Chaoshan region (Chaozhou, Shantou and Jieyang) to Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong).
• In Shantou, we will explore the Old Downtown and visit the Tianhou Temple and the Guandi Temple, the last stops that these immigrants made before they set sail for Southeast Asia.
• We will visit Chen Cihong's Residence, built by the family of the prominent overseas Chinese industrialist and financier who moved from this region to Thailand.
• With its four courtyards and 500+ rooms, this residence demonstrates classical Chinese palace-style architecture and Western architectural art. 

• Last but not least, we will visit Chaozhou, the capital of Teochew culture. ​We will visit the Chaozhou Ancient City and within the ancient walls, we will walk through the Paifang Street (Arch Street) and try local street foods, admire the Guangji Gate Tower, and walk across the Guangji Bridge!
• We will also visit the Kaiyuan Temple, a Buddhist temple with a history of over 1,000 years.
• We will also visit the Huang Jilue Ancestral Hall, which displays the finest wood carving art of Chaozhou in the Qing dynasty and the residence of the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu, which is the oldest mansion-style residence in Chaozhou.
• Finally, we will visit the Longhu Ancient Village, with more than 100 well-preserved buildings from different dynasties.