Live Your Best Lives
Round-trip flights from Hangzhou to Chaoshan cost only 400-500 RMB, allowing for a day and a half of fun. Local cuisine, primarily snacks, is affordable and excellent value. Accommodation ranges from inns and guesthouses costing 100-200 RMB to hotels costing over 1,000 RMB. The inns are affordable, offer a pleasant environment, and excellent service. Chaoshan is a perfect place for those of us who lack vacation time, are afraid to take time off, and have no savings, yet still want to travel extensively.
Tips:
Per person: 15 yuan
Address: No. 36, Youxiang, Kaiyuan Road, Chaozhou
Kueh zhi isn't juice. Chaoshan people call any food made with rice flour, wheat flour, or potato starch "kueh." It's like noodles, but with a much better texture. A bowl of steaming, smooth kueh noodles, drizzled with a light brown marinade, topped with braised pork intestines, braised pork, braised eggs, dried tofu, or choy sum—that's what kueh zhi is.
Kaiyuan Laoqi is located at an intersection near Kaiyuan Temple. It's small and simple, but all Teochew snack shops are similar. The rice noodles are tender and smooth, and the braised food is very flavorful. It's so delicious that you can't help but eat it two days in a row.
Tips:
The store only sells kueh cheung, which is divided into large portions for 20 yuan and small portions for 15 yuan. It is recommended that you can buy in bulk on Dianping for more favorable prices.
Kaiyuan Laoqi Kueh Zhi is close to Kaiyuan Temple and Paifang Street. After eating, you can go shopping at Kaiyuan Temple, and then walk to Paifang Street and bask in the sun.
There are 22 archways on Paifang Street. The area there has been basically renovated. Each archway tells the great achievements of many Chaozhou heroes. There is a story behind it, and now there are detailed introductions on the archways.
There are many arcade buildings preserved along the street, as well as many specialty shops and food stores, all of which have promotional signs posted on their doors. It is a mature tourist street where you can stroll around, take photos, and buy some souvenirs.
Tips:
Opening hours: 10:30-19:30
Per person: 10 yuan
Located near Kaiyuan Temple, you won’t be able to eat there if you go too early. It opens at 10:30. Looking at the photos, I always thought that duck-shaped dumplings were eggs, but later I found out that duck-shaped dumplings are a kind of glutinous rice flour dumplings with fillings.
Yamu Tiao was originally called glutinous rice dumplings, but later changed to Yamu Tiao. There are two theories about the origin of the name: one is that these dumplings were once as large as duck eggs, which are called duck eggs in Teochew, hence the name Yamu Tiao; the other is that after cooking, these dumplings float on the water, resembling a white duck, hence the name Yamu Tiao. Personally, I think it's tastier than glutinous rice dumplings.
Tips:
Business hours: 10:00-18:00 Address: Huancheng West Road Average price: 30 yuan
There are many Shibaqu fish dumpling restaurants in the streets and alleys of Chaozhou. As outsiders, I am generally afraid of making bad choices because of the authenticity of the restaurants. I still recommend everyone to go to the one mentioned in the guide.
The location is conveniently located at the intersection. Like any other snack shop, even with three locations, it's still quite small and the atmosphere isn't particularly welcoming. We settled for a table right in front of the shop. The owner usually recommends a five-piece combo: fish balls, fish noodles, swallow dumplings, fish rolls, and fried dumplings. One bowl gives you a taste of everything. The fish dumplings are handmade, and the meat is firm and chewy. The fried dumplings have a crispy texture.
Tips:
Address: Next to Dasanlin Pharmacy, south of Kaiyuan Road. Average price: 10 yuan
Chaozhou dessert shop ranks first. For those who love desserts, they will definitely check in. There are many varieties in the shop. If you have difficulty choosing, you can follow the recommendations of Dianping.
It’s a small bowl, but the ingredients are very rich. The fruits are very fresh and sweet. The taro balls are super chewy and are no less delicious than the taro balls in Jiufen, Taiwan. It can be said to be very cost-effective and you can eat several bowls in a row.
Chaozhou Xima Road is a unique alley among the many alleys in Chaozhou, and it is also one of the alleys with the longest history. Here you can find the most authentic delicacies. The street of about 1 kilometer is home to many delicacies, where you can deeply experience their urban life.
My first visit to Chaozhou's Xima Road was captivating, with its dilapidated walls and shabby streets. There are also quite a few B&Bs here, making it a top choice for most tourists. My afternoon's focus was on Xima Road.
Licorice Fruit
A common Chaozhou street food dish, it consists of various fruits bathed in liquorice. The liquorice makes the fruits more refreshing and delicious, and also has the effect of clearing dryness and moistening the lungs.
You can make your own platter, sold by weight, 15 yuan/jin. There are the most of these on Xima Road. I recommend you choose the ones in the freezer, which look more hygienic.
Old snacks
Tips:
Address: 100 meters northeast of the intersection of Huancheng West Road and Xima Road. Price per person: 2 yuan
At the intersection of Huancheng West Road and Xima Road, you'll see a small alleyway packed with small vendors. So, you don't have to worry about finding your way. Lao Lao Xiao Shi mainly sells snacks like potato cakes, glutinous rice rolls, taro cakes, chive cakes, and water chestnut rolls, all served with sauce. Although it only has a three-and-a-half-star rating on Dianping, I personally found it delicious. I ordered five of each snack for only 9.5, making it a great value.
Lao Si Wheat Cake
Tips:
Address: 100 meters northeast of the intersection of Huancheng West Road and Xima Road. Price per person: 4 yuan
This shop is across from Lao Shi Xiao Shi (Old Food Store), and it seems like it's nowhere to be found on social media. They sell two flavors of mai kueh: mung bean and taro. While the mai kueh are the same, the fillings are different. I've personally tested both the mung bean and taro flavors to be delicious. Many locals come here to buy, often buying large quantities.
Xikou Liubu Goose Meat Shop
Tips:
Address: Northwest corner of the intersection of Shangxiping Road and Kaiyuan Road. Average price: 52 yuan per catty
Braised goose, a signature dish of Chaoshan cuisine, is a must-try. Seeing it ranked number one, I immediately bought some to try. The goose wings and meat are sold separately, with the meat costing 52 yuan per jin (approximately 100g), while the wings are more expensive. The goose meat is juicy and flavorful, perfectly braised, and incredibly delicious, not greasy but fragrant. It also comes with a white vinegar dipping sauce.
Tips:
Ticket price: 20 yuan/person Opening hours:
Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:00-17:30
The bridge, with its ancient charm, spans the Han River. Combining beam, arch, and floating structures, its structure is unique and unique in China. Eighteen ancient floating bridges connect the piers, creating a unique blend of rigidity and flexibility. Walking across them is a truly fascinating experience.
Due to navigational needs, the floating bridges are removed around 5:30 PM to allow cargo ships to pass through. To enjoy the unique view of the "crossing bridge," it's recommended to enter the scenic area at 5:00 PM. This allows you to cross the bridge; later arrivals mean you won't be able to. Some online guides suggest waiting until closing time for a 10-yuan ticket. The ticket office states that tickets stop selling after 5:00 PM, but I tried buying tickets after 5:00 PM and was still able to buy them, though I couldn't get the 10-yuan price. Arriving early is recommended for a good view of the dismantling of the bridges.
Tips:
Address: Room 101, Room 201, Silk Clothing Factory Dormitory, Yonghu Road Business Hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-04:00 the next day Price per person: 40 yuan
Outside of Chaoshan, the most popular dish, besides Chaoshan beef hotpot, is probably Chaoshan clay pot porridge. Pidandi is about 2 kilometers from Guangji Bridge. You can walk there if you're not too tired, or take a taxi. The starting price for a taxi in Chaoshan is 8 yuan.
The restaurant is quite small, with three small tables inside and several more outside. I ordered a 200 yuan crab and shrimp congee for four people. The portion was generous, with two crabs and plenty of shrimp, and the congee was fresh, sweet, and thick. The crabs are killed and prepared right at the door, so there's no need to worry about stale seafood. The accompanying fruit and pickled mustard greens were also delicious.
Tips:
Address: No. 6, Yingju Lane, Yi'an Road, Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou City
Fees: Large table: 298 yuan/table (first floor, suitable for 4-8 people) Small table: 168 yuan/table (second floor, suitable for 2-3 people)
Standard set: one cup of Dancong tea and two servings of snacks
Program times: 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 20:20, 21:20, 22:20
Program Format: Teochew opera, Teochew string music, pipa, guzheng, Republican-era songs, 21 Teochew Gongfu tea techniques, brewing demonstration (each program is subject to actual arrangement)
Many people recommend visiting Zaiyang Teahouse for a cup of tea and a performance. Many people assume it's similar to Suzhou teahouses, with locals spending the afternoon enjoying a cup of tea, a snack, and watching Pingtan. In reality, it's more of an online favorite, mostly for tourists.
The retro decor at the entrance is so captivating it's tempting to stop and snap a few photos. The first floor is full of large tables, priced at 298 yuan per table, regardless of the number of people. This includes a cup of Dancong tea and three snacks. The second floor has smaller tables, perfect for smaller groups, priced at 168 yuan per table. The complimentary snacks aren't unlimited. You need to order more after your meal, like melon seeds for 5 yuan each. The program at the entrance says there's a show at 8:20 PM. Enjoy the tea and the show at Zaiyang Teahouse, and it's a great time to catch the Guangji Bridge light show.
Besides its "crossing the river and demolishing the bridge," the Guangji Bridge's nighttime light show is also a must-see. The
16-minute Guangji Bridge light show takes place every evening at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
The ancient bridge, accompanied by music and the changing lights, becomes even more breathtaking. After the light show, the ancient bridge quickly returns to its original tranquility and simplicity.
Tips:
Business hours: Open from 17:00
Address: No. 2, Lvrong North Road, Xiangqiao District
Per capita: 100 yuan/person
Guantang Yusheng is the most famous Chaozhou sashimi, so you can find it everywhere. Guantang Original Yusheng and Guantang Yipin Yusheng are popular choices, and local friends recommended Guantang Original Yusheng.
The way to eat sashimi differs significantly from Japanese sashimi: the dish is sliced thinly and dipped in a variety of sauces, including garlic slices, cilantro, celery, onion slices, radish slices, ginger slices, chili rings, mint leaves, and fried peanuts. It's served with a special sauce made with our signature oil.
The correct way to eat Chaozhou sashimi is to place your desired toppings in a small bowl, then pick up a piece of sashimi with chopsticks, scoop a spoonful of oil over it, stir, and finally eat it.
Besides sashimi, the restaurant also offers sashimi shrimp and oysters, all of which are raw. There aren't many cooked options, so the selection is limited. There are some barbecue restaurants nearby, so you can grab some Chaozhou-style grilled skewers.
Tips:
Address: Shop No. 014-016, Block 6, Xiping West, 300 meters north of the intersection of Huanggang Road and Zhongshan Road
Average price per person: 80 yuan
Opening hours: 10:00-21:00
Locals typically head to Xinxi Town for beef hotpot, similar to Hangzhou's Cangqian Yangguo Village, where every household serves beef hotpot. While Xinxi Town is located outside the city, those with more time can visit there to experience it. My choices this time were mainly Haiji Beef Hotpot and Fuhecheng Beef Hotpot in Baheli.
Chaoshan beef balls are arguably more famous than Chaoshan beef hotpot, and larger beef hotpot restaurants generally offer beef balls in addition to hotpot. The beef balls in Baheli come in two types: hand-pounded and machine-made. Many people buy more to take home, but those who prefer the convenience can also purchase online or have them delivered directly to their door.
The correct way to cook Chaoshan beef hotpot:
1. Choosing the Soup Base:
Chaoshan people are particular about the original flavor and freshness of their food, so the soup base selection is limited, with only two options: radish clear soup pot and Yibao purified water soup base.
2.
Don't be overwhelmed by the menu: Wuhua toe, Sanhua toe, Niu Pu Rou, Diao Long Ban... Forgive me for only knowing beef and ox tongue. I ordered everything the waiter recommended. The most popular Sanhua toe, Wuhua toe, and Diao Long were not available. The meat that takes the longest to cook first is usually the meatballs. The menu at Baheli lists the cooking time for each meat. Chaoshan beef hotpot restaurants have limited broth bases, side dishes, and sauces, too. The most common sauce is shacha sauce.
Let me explain
Diao Long and Diao Long Ban: they are made from the sides of the sirloin. They are slightly fatty and tender at first, but chewy upon further chewing.
Breast fat: Beef brisket fat. It looks full of fat, just like pork. This was my first time trying it in Chaoshan. Even if you don't like fatty meat, you'll find it very fragrant and delicious, not greasy at all. It's delicious in hot pot or barbecue, and has a springy and crispy texture.
Flower toe: Corresponding to the core part of the beef shank, it is a small piece in the center of the whole beef shank. It is not very heavy and is the most precious part of the beef shank.
Tips:
Opening hours: 10:00-23:00
Location: No. 4 Huawu Road
Per capita: 10 yuan/person
Must-try dishes: Oyster omelet, fried tofu
The location is near Baheli Haiji Beef Hotpot, so it's a good time to check in.
The oyster omelette is fried to order and is super crispy. The dipping sauce is fish sauce, which I personally am not very used to.
Fried dried tofu, at first I thought it was fried dried bean curd, but later I found out it was fried tender tofu, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the dipping sauce was leek juice.
Shantou Small Park, the commercial and cultural center of Shantou's old city, is the core landmark and cultural symbol of Shantou's old city.
In a narrow sense, the Small Park refers to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Pavilion, located at the core of the Small Park area. In a broader sense, the Small Park encompasses the surrounding blocks of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Pavilion, including Anping Road, Shengping Road, Guoping Road, etc., collectively known as the Small Park Historical and Cultural District.
The arcades and streets in the small park area are fan-shaped and radiate outward. However, the buildings there are quite old, some even dilapidated, and many are currently undergoing repairs. The small park is very retro and perfect for photos, making it worth a visit.
There's a snack shop called Piaoxiang Snacks near Shantou's Little Park. With over 50 years of history, they serve a wide variety of authentic Chaoshan-style snacks.
1. Chaoshan generally refers to Jieyang, Chaozhou, and Shantou. They share a common airport: Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport. Transportation from the airport to all three cities is convenient, and taxis are also available. The airport is about the same distance from all three cities, with Shantou being farther away and Jieyang being closer.
2. If you want to take a taxi in Chaoshan, take Didi. Don’t take a taxi, as taxi drivers will charge you a lot of money.
3. The busiest time in Chaoshan is during the Spring Festival, when the atmosphere is full of the New Year. If you want to experience the New Year atmosphere of southerners, you can go there during the Spring Festival. At other times of the year, the air tickets to Chaoshan are almost as cheap as cabbage. You can eat and play as much as you want in a day and a half without affecting your work time.
3. If you have 4 days, it is recommended that you visit Jieyang and Nan'ao Island in addition to Chaozhou and Shantou city.
