Visit Chaozhou in Guangdong, China

Chaozhou, located in Guangdong Province on the banks of the Han River, is a historic and cultural city that captivates travelers with its authenticity, architectural heritage, and vibrant traditions. Known as a hidden gem of China, it offers a unique immersion into Southeast Chinese culture, far from the usual tourist routes. The city is rarely visited by foreign tourists but is beginning to experience a tourism boom among Chinese travelers.

Old Town and Architectural Heritage

The heart of a visit to Chaozhou lies in its old town, a true open-air museum. The cobbled streets, lined with traditional Ming and Qing-style houses, invite leisurely strolls. Taiping Street and the Paifang commercial avenue, adorned with forty commemorative arches, bear witness to the city’s prosperity during the imperial era. Jiadi Xiang Alley, 200 meters long, is famous for its houses decorated with splendid ancient paintings and sculptures.

Among the must-see monuments, the Kaiyuan Temple, built during the Tang dynasty, stands out for its typical architecture and religious significance. Hanwen Temple, the ancient city wall, and the Guangji Gate Tower are also major witnesses to Chaozhou’s glorious past.

Guangji Bridge: A Historical Masterpiece

Guangji Bridge, constructed during the Song era, is one of the city’s symbols. This bridge, with its unique structure combining stone arches and floating sections, offers a magnificent view of the Han River, especially at sunset. It is an ideal place to capture the soul of Chaozhou and understand its strategic and economic importance over the centuries. It is remarkable to witness, every day at 10 a.m., the joining of boats to close the bridge at its center and allow locals to cross. In the evening, a sound and light show takes place there at 8 p.m.

Living Culture and Handicrafts

Chaozhou is renowned for its local opera, Chaozhou opera, which combines music, singing, and acrobatics in colorful performances. The traditional tea ceremony, gongfucha, is an experience not to be missed: it highlights Phoenix tea (Fenghuangcha), produced locally and served in historic tea houses such as Zaiyang. These sessions take place every afternoon.

Handicrafts hold a central place here, notably Chaozhou porcelain, known for its finesse, and embroidery, which reflects local refinement. Visiting a workshop allows you to admire skills passed down from generation to generation. An embroidery school is also located in the city.

Gastronomy: A Culinary Journey

Chaozhou cuisine, or Chaoshan cuisine, is among the most renowned in China. Influenced by Southeast Asian and Taiwanese cultures, it offers a unique palette of flavors and colors. The night markets of Taiping and Xima provide an authentic culinary experience: fish dumplings, pork tripe stuffed with glutinous rice, and many other specialties will delight gourmets.

Like Chengdu, Macau, Huai’an, and Yangzhou, Chaozhou is now recognized by UNESCO as a “Creative City of Gastronomy” as part of its Creative Cities Network. This network distinguishes cities with remarkable culinary heritage that are committed to promoting creativity and gastronomic diversity.

Nature and Relaxation

Beyond its heritage, Chaozhou offers pleasant natural spaces such as West Lake Park, Fenghuangzhou Park, and the banks of the Han River, ideal for a walk or a relaxing break.

Getting to Chaozhou

There are high-speed trains from Guangzhou or Xiamen (get off at Chaoshan high-speed train station). Then, to reach Chaozhou, it takes about 40 minutes by road.