Nestled in the eastern part of Guangdong Province, Chaozhou is a city rich in history and culture. Established in AD 331 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Chaozhou has evolved through the centuries while retaining its individual identity. The city's landscape is characterized by a stunning coastline stretching 136 kilometers along the South China Sea, interspersed with rivers like the Han River, which flows through its heart.

Chaoshan culture, one of the three major cultures in Guangdong, is a subculture of Han culture. The area developed its own style of operatic theatre – Chaozhou opera, its own tea ceremony – "kung fu tea," its own food culture – Teochew cuisine, its own dialect – Teochew, and its own folk arts, such as Chaozhou embroidery, woodcarving and ceramic design.

The local dialect, Teochew, is distinct with its eight tones, reflecting the influence of the indigenous Danjia and She people, as well as Han immigrants who settled over a millennium ago. The city is dotted with 467 temples, attesting to its deep spiritual roots, primarily influenced by Buddhism, which has shaped the local diet and culinary practices.

Furthermore, Chaozhou is notable for its vibrant community of overseas Chinese, contributing to its dynamic cultural tapestry.

With its varied history, stunning landscapes, distinct architecture, and delectable cuisine, a 48-hour adventure in Chaozhou promises a gastronomic and cultural adventure into the heart of Chinese heritage.

What to Do in Chaozhou

1. Wander the Chaozhou Old Town

One of the highlights of Chaozhou is its Old Town, which was first established in AD 331 and retains much of its historical charm. Enclosed by a 2.5-kilometer city wall, the heart of the Old Town is Paifang Street, adorned with 23 stone arches from the Ming and Qing dynasties, juxtaposed against the modern arcade buildings (called qilou in Chinese).

These arches commemorate scholarly achievements, reflecting the local emphasis on education. As visitors stroll through the ancient streets, they encounter art shops, wood carving studios, embroidery workshops, and bustling food stalls that offer a glimpse into the city's artisanal customs.

2. Visit the Kaiyuan Temple

A visit to Chaozhou is incomplete without exploring the Kaiyuan Temple, a magnificent Buddhist site with a history dating back to AD 738. This temple showcases architectural artistry from various dynasties, including the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing periods. Visitors can admire the intricate designs and serene ambiance while learning about the temple's role as a center for Buddhist study. The temple houses beautiful calligraphy and inscribed steles that share the story of Chaozhou's cultural heritage.

3. Traverse Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge is an iconic symbol of Chaozhou and one of China's four ancient bridges. Constructed during the Southern Song Dynasty, this bridge features a section supported by 18 boats that allows it to open for passing ships. Guests can walk across the intricately carved bridge, taking in the views of the surrounding landscape and the ancient city gates. The bridge not only serves as a functional passage but also as a cultural landmark that embodies the ingenuity of ancient engineering. The bridge entrance is 60 yuan per person.

Among the multitude of seven ancient city gates to enter Chaozhou Old Town, the Guangji Gate Wall (the wall connecting to the Guangji Bridge to the ancient city) is the most spectacular one. Constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the gate tower is the main symbol of Chaozhou. Every night at 8pm, the city puts on a 10-minute light and music show across the Guangji Bridge, attracting people of all ages to the performance.

4. Day Trip to Shantou

Just a short one-hour drive from Chaozhou, Shantou offers a delightful escape with its coastal beauty. The city is known for lovely beaches and scenic islands, making it a perfect day trip for nature lovers. Explore the Shantou Small Park (汕头小公园) area, which is full of cultural landmarks, art shops and local food vendors, or venture to Nan'ao Island for stunning views and the freshest seafood. The island's fishing culture and pristine beaches provide a serene getaway, allowing visitors to indulge in various water sports, cycling, hiking, or simply relax by the ocean. Shantou's bustling local markets, brimming with traditional street foods, further enrich the experience, making it an ideal complement to any Chaoshan trip.

What to Eat in Chaozhou

As the birthplace of Teochow cuisine, Chaozhou recently earned the distinguished title of "Creative City of Gastronomy" from UNESCO. Chaozhou cuisine holds an irreplaceable status in the Cantonese culinary tradition, one of China's eight major culinary styles, coupled with influence from nearby Fujian Province. From the savory allure of beef hot pot and marinated raw seafood to the simplicity of fish rice and fish noodles, each Chaozhou dish is crafted with freshness in mind, honoring the main protein without masking its flavor via too many spices or oil.

1. Chaozhou Beef Hotpot (潮州牛肉火锅)

This dish epitomizes the region's culinary evolution, featuring an all-beef hotpot experience. The light broth, flavored with celery, corn and radish, elevates the quality of the tender beef cooked right at the table. Each beef hotpot restaurant includes more than 10 beef cuts to choose from, in addition to beef innards, and springy beef balls. Accompanied by the signature shacha (沙茶) peanut dipping sauce, each bite is a burst of flavor, where diners can savor the freshness of the region's high-quality beef. The preparation and communal dining style make this dish a unique social experience, showcasing the local love for beef that has developed over recent years.

2. Fish Balls (鱼丸)

A beloved local specialty, Chaozhou fish balls are renowned for their springy texture and fresh flavor. Made from the finest fish, minced and blended to perfection, these delicacies are often served in soups or as part of a hotpot. Other variations that are customarily served with fish balls include fish wontons (鱼饺) and even fish noodles (魚粿), where pounded fish meat is piped into boiling broth in a noodle shape.

3. Seafood Claypot Congee (海鲜砂锅粥)

This comforting rice soup is a staple in Chaozhou and differs from its Cantonese counterpart in that the consistency is more watery with individual rice kernels maintaining their integral structure rather than melting into a unified porridge. Served with an array of salty accompaniments, such as salted vegetables and assorted seafood, the congee is a comforting dish for any hour of the day. Its simplicity and emphasis on fresh ingredients make it a favorite among locals and tourists, providing a warm and satisfying dining experience.

4. Chaoshan Marinated & Pickled Prawns (潮汕生腌对虾)

For a taste of the ocean, try the marinated prawns, which are prepared with aged vinegar, local fortified wine, chili oil, garlic, and cilantro. This dish highlights the region's tradition of pickling seafood, allowing the fresh flavors to shine through without the need for extensive cooking. This dish can also be found with raw cockles, crab, clams, oysters, salmon and more. The raw seafood is a testament to the local fishing culture.

5. Raw Fish and Shrimp "Sashimi Salad" (鱼生虾生拼)

This dish features fresh raw fish and shrimp served over ice, accompanied by a medley of herbs, peanuts, shredded ginger and daikon, pickles, and a vinegar wasabi dipping sauce. Guests can mix and match the various ingredients, combining all elements into a raw seafood salad of sorts, drizzled with aromatic sesame oil and other various condiments.

6. Rice Noodle Rolls (肠粉)

These delicate and silky rice noodle rolls are a popular street food option in Chaozhou, made by steaming rice flour batter in trays. Tailored with various fillings, including pork and shrimp, they are often served with a smarmy peanut and sesame shacha (沙茶) sauce that enhances the local flavor. The combination of the stretchy rice roll texture and the creamy sauce makes this snack a popular choice for many.

7. Sugar and Cilantro Pancake Rolls (糖葱薄饼)

For dessert, indulge in the sugar candy and cilantro pancake, a traditional snack that combines sweet and savory flavors in a rice flour wrap. The blend of sugar, cilantro, crushed peanuts and sesame seeds creates a one-of-a-kind taste that is both nostalgic and satisfying. Some shops will even add in a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate hand-held sweet treat.

Other popular eats include:

• Braised Goose 卤水鹅: A salt and aromatics braised goose dish usually served over fried beancurd.
• Rice Cakes with Preserved Radish (水粿): Cup-shaped steamed rice cakes are topped with chopped preserved/salted radish.
• Fried Beef Balls (炸牛肉丸): Skewered and fried local Chaoshan beef meatballs are dribbled in a sticky shacha or savory salt water dipping sauce.
• Fen Guo (粉粿): A type of clear steamed dumpling, fen guo is typically filled with dried radish, garlic chives, ground pork, dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and/or peanuts. The dumpling wrapper is made from a mixture of flour or plant starches mixed together with water.
• Oyster Pancake (蛤仔煎): An omelette cooked with raw oysters, tapioca starch and eggs. The Teochew-style oyster omelette is usually deep fried, resulting in lacey, crisp edges. Dip condiments include fish sauce, pepper, and tangy chili sauce.
• Black Sesame and Almond Tea (黑芝麻杏仁茶): Black sesame and almond are ground into a paste with sugar and heated into a warm dessert soup of sorts.
• Furu Bing (腐乳饼): A baked buttery cake is stuffed with minced pork, peanuts, candied winter melon, and fermented bean curd for a sweet-meets-savory snack found on every street corner.
• Fried Bean Curd (炸豆腐): A simple deep-fried tofu dish that has spread its popularity to Guangzhou. Sliced firm tofu is fried until golden, presented with a salt water and chives dipping sauce.
• You Gan (油柑): This local berry, also known as Indian gooseberry, is prized for its health benefits, especially for throat health and cough suppressant. Its bitter and sour flavor can be off-putting at first, but that quickly dissipates, leaving consumers with a sweet aftertaste. You gan can commonly be found in sweetened drinks around the Old Town.

Moral of the story: come hungry!

Getting There & Trip Budgeting

Although Chaozhou does not have its own airport, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport is nearby, providing convenient access to the city. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown Chaozhou typically costs around 80-100 yuan and takes 40-60 minutes. Alternatively, travelers can arrive by train at Chaoshan Railway Station, with express buses to the city center available for a nominal fee. Once in the city center, most sites are walkable, and a few destinations further outside of the old town will set one back just 10-30 yuan for a taxi.

Hotel accommodation in Chaozhou is pocket-friendly, with most hotel stays falling in the range of 200-400 yuan per night.

The best time to visit Chaozhou is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is most pleasant.