Live Your Best Lives
If you're visiting Guangdong, I highly recommend Chaozhou, Shantou, Shunde, and Guangzhou. They're perfect for foodies! I've compiled this guide with the main itineraries and attractions for tourists interested in visiting.
Of course, due to changes and influences of seasons, festivals, and local scenic area policies or activities, my guide may be slightly different from the actual one. If I accidentally let you step on a landmine, please don’t throw rotten eggs. Everything is for reference only.
Thanks to the convenient transportation between cities in Guangdong (especially the Guangzhou-Foshan line, which is truly amazing), exploring a city in a day is no longer a dream. Each one was truly worthwhile, with plenty of food, entertainment, and drinks (all at affordable prices). It's perfect for a special forces trip! Attached is my itinerary.
The beauty of Chaozhou completely exceeded my imagination. The Tiffany blue of the Hanjiang Bridge, the architectural aesthetics of the ancient city of Paifang Street, the strong smell of fireworks on the roadside, and the favorite food and restaurants everywhere...they are all unique postcards of Chaozhou. Moreover, Chaozhou's attractions are relatively concentrated, and you can see all the highlights in a day!
Route: Hanshang Building ➡️Hanjiang Bridge ➡️Paifang Street ➡️Jiadi Lane ➡️Guangji Building ➡️Guangji Bridge
1️⃣Han goes upstairs
Chaozhou morning tea No. 1, this place can also be the first stop for your Chaozhou trip. After having morning tea, you can start your Chaozhou journey while digesting your food, killing two birds with one stone.
2️⃣Han River Bridge
If you ask me what impressed me most about Chaozhou, it would be the Tiffany blue of the Hanjiang River. So, if you follow my route, after having morning tea, you will climb the Hanjiang River Bridge. Looking out from afar, it feels like you have arrived in a coastal city!
3️⃣Paifang Street
Chaozhou is the most down-to-earth place with a plethora of delicious food. There are 22 memorial archways on Taiping Street in the ancient city. It is very easy to take photos of these archways with a telephoto lens.
4️⃣Jiadi Lane
When strolling through the streets and alleys, you must go to Jiadi Lane, which is also the essence of the ancient city’s residential houses. Walking in the alleys, you can feel the rich atmosphere of life everywhere.
5️⃣ Guangji Building
Guangji Tower is the first gate tower of Chaozhou ancient city. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty and later underwent a major renovation during the Republic of China. It looks very impressive no matter how you photograph it (except for the crowds).
6️⃣ Guangji Bridge
Like Guangji Tower, it's a landmark of Chaozhou and one of China's four great ancient bridges. The bridge and tower are conveniently located together, making them a great place to check out together. The bridge and pavilion are connected, so if you're tired of walking, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the lake from the pavilion, making it a truly photogenic spot.
In addition, I recommend that you take a walk along the riverbank after visiting the Guangji Bridge. It is very impressive.
🍱 Teochew delicacies: fermented bean curd chicken wings, beef balls, rice noodle soup, twin rice rolls, Guantang Brothers beef hotpot.
⭐A friend who lives near Jinbi Road in Chaozhou recommends a restaurant called Qubian. The hairy crabs and purple sweet potato ice cream there are really yyds.
⚠️Chaozhou Transportation
Transportation in Chaozhou isn't exactly convenient. During the Spring Festival, a Didi bus sometimes took half an hour to arrive. Fortunately, the city's scenic spots are all within walking distance. However, if you want to go elsewhere, you'll have to rely on buses and Didi.
🚄How to get to Chaozhou?
🔵If you are going by train, you can get off at Chaoshan Station or Shantou Station. If you get off at Chaoshan Station, you can take Didi, bus or public transportation to Chaozhou City; ⚪If you are going from Chaozhou to Shantou, you can take the passenger bus from Chaozhou (Shantou) Passenger Transport Station. The operating timetable is shown in the picture above.
How to buy tickets?
You can purchase it on the VX public account Yueyun Yuexing, just enter the departure and destination. In addition to Chaozhou and Shantou, there are other cities to choose from, which is very convenient!
Ticket price: 30 yuan, the journey takes about 1 hour.
The hustle and bustle of Shantou’s small parks, the arcade buildings on the streets, the morning tea shops, beef hotpot and Chaozhou tea that can be found everywhere on the roadside, and the romance of the Chaozhou pier at sunset are all unique features of Shantou. The key is that these attractions are also concentrated in one area, so one day is enough to visit them all, which is very friendly for workers who don’t have many holidays!
✅ One-day travel spots in Shantou City:
1️⃣Shantou Hotel
This is a very popular check-in spot for taking portraits (both the front and side faces are very good). There are many people on holidays, so to avoid the crowds, it is recommended to arrive at 8 am.
2️⃣Sun Yat-sen Memorial Pavilion
The pavilion and the arcade complement each other, highlighting the perfect combination of ancient and modern times. Many people recommend zooming in and shooting from above.
3️⃣ Cunxin Mansion
A very distinctive building, it presents a different feeling in the morning and at night. I recommend shooting from across the street, using ultra-wide angle or zoom.
4️⃣Shantou Small Park and surrounding areas
A popular destination for Shantou tourists. Although it is called a small park, it is a silhouette of Shantou's arcade architecture and history. During the Spring Festival, there are also Yingge dance performances (it is recommended to visit once in the morning and once in the evening, each has its own charm).
5️⃣ Trendy Pier
It only takes a dozen minutes to walk from the small park. It is a great place to watch the Rongjiang River and the sunset. You can also take a cruise to the other side of the river. You can walk along the riverside avenue in the evening. It is quite a feeling!
🍱Eat and drink in Shantou:
1️⃣ Chaoshan Gongfu Tea
Shantou's morning tea, which can also be enjoyed as lunch, is a great place to relax after playing in the park. The food is excellent and affordable, so you won't miss out. ⚠️⚠️⚠️ It's best to get a number in advance on holidays!
2️⃣Beef Hotpot
The most popular local dish is undoubtedly the beef hotpot, which is affordable and generous. If you see a line waiting for a table, it's a sure bet. ⚠️⚠️⚠️It's best to get a number in advance during holidays!
3️⃣ Chao Tea
Chaocha is a drink you must not miss when you come to Shantou. Duck shit fragrance is worth having.
🚄How to get to Shantou?
🔵If you are coming by train, get off at Shantou Station; 🟠If you are coming from Chaoshan Station, there are direct buses to Shantou; ⚪If you are coming from Chaozhou, you can take the passenger transport bus from Chaozhou Passenger Station.
🛵 Transportation in Shantou: Since the attractions in Shantou are all clustered together, it's recommended to walk or ride a shared bike. ⚠️ During peak season, taxis can be difficult to get.
⭐⭐If you have extra time, you can also go to Chaozhou or Nan'ao Island, starting from Shantou, which saves time and is convenient.
When I went to Shunde, I didn't go to popular places to avoid the crowds. Instead, I went to Ronggui Street in Shunde. As a result, the culture here is amazing. This short street is full of urban life.
👇🏻Guide Navigation
📷Photography spot 1️⃣: Xinyong Movie Street, Ronggui Subdistrict
✅Address: Navigate to Xiao Po Rice Noodle Roll and cross the bridge
⭐Shooting features
🟠 Shunde's Jiangnan Water Village (I feel like a small city of Venice)
🔵Old signature movie retro style
🔶Life scenes that can be seen everywhere
The artistic atmosphere inside and outside the cafe
⚠️Please be careful when taking photos and don't disturb the lives of the residents.
📷Photography spot 2️⃣: Ronggui Fisherman’s Wharf
Not only can you see beautiful sunsets and a busy harbor here, but there are also many wall graffiti, which are great for taking portraits.
📷Photography spot 3️⃣: Kangle Lane, Huagai Road, Shunde
This is an alley I stumbled into. Compared to Huagai Road Pedestrian Street, this one offers a quieter atmosphere, a sense of seclusion within the city. The alley isn't long, only a few hundred meters, but the old bricks and tiles inside remind me of the longtangs I ran through as a child.
Shunde cuisine: Dragon's Restaurant, Nineteenth Floor, Horseshoe Imperata Root and Bamboo Sugarcane Juice
Tips: 🛵 Transportation in Shunde: Subway + Didi
If you want to visit Guangzhou and Foshan, you can take the Guangzhou-Foshan Line (subway) directly, or you can take the train from Guangzhou to Foshan (the journey takes about 10 minutes).
After 12 hours of wandering around Guangzhou, I realized I couldn't take enough photos. Absolutely not! You could say that anywhere you go in Guangzhou is a beautiful sight to behold, so I quickly shared my one-day city walk with everyone. I hope you all have a great time eating, playing, and taking photos in Guangzhou!
City Walk Route: Sacred Heart Cathedral ➡️ Renmin South Road Viaduct ➡️ Guangdong Customs Building ➡️ Shamian ➡️ Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street ➡️ Datang ➡️ Guangzhou Opera House ➡️ Ersha Island Art Park
[Exam items] APM driverless trains, Haizhu trams
1. APM driverless train
Passing through major stations: Guangzhou Tower → Haixinsand → Grand Theater → Huacheng Avenue → Tianhe South → Sports Center South → Linhe West
Ticket price: 2 yuan/time (Alipay accepted)
Tips: The APM driverless train has two carriages. The two carriages are not connected to each other, but the tunnel can be seen through the transparent glass. The front of the first carriage and the rear of the second carriage have a better experience.
2. Haizhu Sightseeing Tram
Stops along the route: Canton Tower → Canton Tower East → Liede Bridge South → Padi → Nanfeng → Convention and Exhibition Center West → Convention and Exhibition Center Center → Convention and Exhibition Center East → Pazhou Bridge South → Pazhou Tower → Wanshengwei
Ticket price: One-way ticket price 2 yuan/person, full-day ticket price 6.9 yuan/person
Ticket purchase method: There are ticket machines at each station that accept 1 yuan coins, 5 yuan and 10 yuan notes to purchase tickets! You can scan the QR code on site or scan the QR code inside the station!
Tips: Before arriving at Pazhou Bridge South Station, most of the route runs along the Pearl River. You can take the full journey and get off at your favorite stop on the return trip, then stroll around and take some photos.
Friendly reminder: The Haizhu sightseeing train is actually an above-ground subway. There is no need to go to the Guangzhou Tower specifically to take it, because there are many people there and the queues are long. It is better to buy a ticket at any stop and get on the train.
🚦【Transportation】 Walking + Subway
⭐【Highlights】
1️⃣ Sacred Heart Cathedral
It can be said that this is a must-visit place in Guangzhou. The architectural style of the church combines Gothic and Baroque elements, which is very classical. ✅ Recommendation: Go in the morning when there are fewer people.
2️⃣ Renmin South Road Viaduct
Photographing the traffic from the overpass is truly captivating, and the Republican-era buildings surrounding it make for stunning portraits. Strolling along Pearl River Boulevard, feeling the river breeze and watching the morning exercisers cycling and jogging, I felt truly connected.
✅It is recommended to come here in the morning when the sunlight is milder and there will be no backlight when taking photos.
3️⃣ Shamian
If you want to experience the European romance of Guangzhou, this is the right place. There are so many exotic buildings here, which are very romantic, historical, and unique!
4️⃣ Datang Village
This urban village with a strong sense of life is also called "Venice of Guangzhou" by the big names in the photography circle. You can also take photos of the three-piece set of Guangzhou Tower here.
5️⃣Guangzhou Opera House
The perfect combination of art and technology makes it a landmark building on Guangzhou's new central axis. Not only that, it can also be photographed in conjunction with the Canton Tower and IFC!
6️⃣ Ersha Island Art Park
Want to know what it's like when the Little Slender Waist lights up, planes fly by, and children's hydrogen balloons soar into the sky? Then come to Ersha Island Art Park. Not only that, it's also a great place to enjoy the night view.
🍱Guangzhou cuisine
You can find dim sum restaurants everywhere, but I especially recommend two. The first is Datong Zhengdian Shaowei, located right below the Guangzhou Tower. I personally found the main course meals to be average and a bit pricey, but I highly recommend their pineapple buns. They're truly delicious.
Another famous chain store is Dian Du De La! Tips: If you want to visit Guangzhou and Foshan, you can take the Guangzhou-Foshan Line (subway) directly. Of course, you can also take the train from Guangzhou to Foshan (the journey takes about 10 minutes)
Guangdong is not only synonymous with delicious food, but also with the civic atmosphere of Chaozhou, the architecture of Shantou, the culture of Shunde, the modernity of Guangzhou... Guangdong, see you later!
