A Taste Journey Through Half the City: Chaoshan 6 Days 5 Nights｜Ancient Bridges and Arcade Buildings × Freshly Pickled Night Snacks × Kung Fu Tea

📅 Best Season: September to November (avoid the hot and rainy season) | 🚗 Transportation: Jieyang Airport + Intercity Taxi + Shared Electric Scooter

🌟 Highlights

1. One Bridge, One Arcade, One Street: The marvel of Guangji Bridge’s opening and closing, 23 honorific archways on Paifang Street, Ming and Qing dynasty residences in Jiadi Alley (Chaozhou cultural landmarks)
2. Late Night Food Revolution: Freshly pickled stalls on Longyan South Road, traditional snacks on Xima Road, Guantang beef stalls at midnight (the later, the tastier)
3. Intangible Cultural Heritage Double Experience: Handmade teapot crafting (Jiadi Alley workshop), Chaozhou opera makeup and photo session (Paifang Street Opera House)

📸 Daily In-depth Routes and Must-do Activities

Day 1: Departure from Chaozhou Ancient City

- Morning: Watch the "Bridge Removal" at Guangji Bridge (17:30 floating bridge dismantling ceremony, the world’s only opening and closing ancient bridge)
- Afternoon: Stamp collection mission on Paifang Street (find the hidden "Jinshi Residence" plaques on 23 archways, redeem a Kung Fu tea experience voucher)
- Night: Fermented bean curd chicken wings on Zhenqian Street + Yushi Ice Room’s sea salt mango ice (delivery straight to your accommodation)

Day 2: Travel Through Ming and Qing Dynasties

- Secret Route: Jiadi Alley → Xingning Alley → Gu Cuo Alley (explore the "Four Golden Points" residences, doorways with gray sculptures hiding qilin Easter eggs)
- Handmade Experience: Century-old brand "Yudetang" hand-pulled teapot (make a mini tea pet to take home)
- Late Night Code: Tell the chef at Guantang Brothers Beef Shop “I want it crispy” to get the limited spoon-handle meat

Day 3: Han River Cultural Tour

- Morning Ritual: Listen to the morning bell at Kaiyuan Temple (6:30 monks’ morning prayers, receive a stick of incense)
- Afternoon Arts: Listen to Chaozhou opera at Zaiyang Teahouse (order secret phrase “Want Rouge Red” to get tea snacks)
- Sunset Photo Spot: Han River shore rock piles (capture silhouette at the moment Guangji Tower lights up)

Day 4: Shantou Old Town Revival

- Arcade Secrets: Send postcards at Xiaogongyuan Post Office (stamp with limited overseas Chinese mail seal) → Retro character wall at Shantou Hostel
- Ferry Surprise: 17:00 Plaza Ferry (1 yuan chase the orange sea sunset, feed bread crumbs to egrets)
- Night Food Crawl: Longyan South Road’s “Three Musketeers” — Xiao Wu rice rolls + Ruijiao Grandma’s freshly pickled snacks + A Qun’s licorice fruit

Day 5: Light Adventure on Nan’ao Island

- Chartered Route: Changwei Mountain Lighthouse (photograph the S-curve of Nan’ao Bridge) → Sancong Cliff Lighthouse (red and white striped coast) → Windmill Mountain (No. 42 wind turbine viewing platform)
- Hidden Fun: Qing’ao Bay fishermen lend nets (10 yuan to try pulling a ground cage, barbecue crabs if caught)

Day 6: Farewell Feast

- Morning Tea Ritual: Egg tarts at Jinfeng Restaurant + Partridge tea (local favorite morning tea spot)
- Souvenir List:
- Chaozhou: Old medicinal tangerines (Hu Rongquan), Dancong tea (Tianyu Tea Studio)
- Shantou: Satay sauce (Chuangdi Beef Ball Shop), Mung bean cakes (Shanpai Fupingfang)

🍜 Flavor Map (with Secret Code Guide)

City Must-try Item Recommended Shop Secret Code/Tip
Chaozhou Satay Cake Nameless stall on Paifang Street “Add pork cracklings” for extra crispiness
Duck Mother Nian Hu Rongquan Order “double combo” with sesame + taro filling
Shantou Freshly Pickled Crab Ruijiao Grandma Free refill of white porridge
Beef Hotpot Xinghua Wuji Arrive by 11:00 am to skip the queue
Nan’ao Seaweed Fried Rice Qing’ao Bay Food Stall Add 30 yuan to upgrade to sea urchin fried rice

🛏️ Accommodation and Transportation Guide

- Chaozhou Accommodation: Courtyard homestays around Paifang Street (recommend “Nanmiao Homestay,” terrace facing Guangji Tower)
- Shantou Accommodation: Wanxiangcheng Serviced Apartments (prefer rooms with laundry facilities to cope with humid weather)
- Island Travel Essentials:
- Rent electric scooters in Shantou via “Xiaobei Travel” (daily rent ¥30, helmet stored in basket no checks)
- Nan’ao car hire with license plate Guangdong D·L (official fleet with insurance)

⚠️ Hard-earned Tips

1. Fresh Pickling Safety Rules:
- First try shrimp pickles > crab pickles, pair with high-proof white liquor for sterilization
- Those with weak stomachs should prepare montmorillonite powder (available at local pharmacies)
2. Off-peak Strategy:
- Secure a seat at the second-floor tea house for Guangji Bridge light show (arrive before 19:00, no crowding with consumption)
- Xinghua Wuji WeChat official account: get a number 2 hours in advance
3. Climate Survival Kit:
- Foldable umbrella + mosquito repellent patches (many midges by Han River)
- Quick-dry clothes (average 20,000 steps per day)

Chaoshan Travel Philosophy:
Wait at Guangji Bridge for the boat dismantling and cable release, witness the ancient wisdom of “removing the bridge after crossing”;
Squat on Longyan South Road for freshly pickled stalls, join locals in a late-night fresh flavor carnival;
Cool off with Kung Fu tea, let Chaozhou opera water sleeves brush the moonlight on Paifang Street—
Half the city’s fireworks become the proof of our fondness for this world.