概述
Chaoshan is widely regarded as the culinary pinnacle of China — a food culture so distinct it is called a “gastronomic island.” The region comprises two cities: Shantou (汕头) and Chaozhou (潮州), each with its own culinary specialties and historical character. Shantou is the modern port city with the best beef hotpot and seafood; Chaozhou is the ancient cultural capital with canals, temples, and street snacks. Together they form an essential food pilgrimage for any serious eater.
行 (Transport)
High-Speed Rail
| Route |
Duration |
Frequency |
| Guangzhou South → Chaoshan Station |
~2 hr |
Frequent (hourly) |
| Shenzhen North → Chaoshan Station |
~2 hr |
Frequent |
| Guangzhou South → Shantou Station |
~2.5 hr |
Several daily |
| Shenzhen North → Shantou Station |
~2.5 hr |
Several daily |
- Chaoshan Station (潮汕站) is the main high-speed rail hub, located between Chaozhou and Shantou (~25 km to each).
- Shantou Station (汕头站) also serves high-speed trains directly, more convenient for Shantou city.
Airport
| Airport |
Location |
Transport to City |
Time |
Cost |
| Jieyang Chaoshan Airport (SWA) |
Between Shantou, Chaozhou, Jieyang |
Airport bus to Shantou / Chaozhou |
~1 hr |
~20-30 CNY |
| Jieyang Chaoshan Airport (SWA) |
|
Taxi / Didi to Shantou |
~40 min |
~120 CNY |
Domestic flights connect to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other major cities.
游 (Attractions)
| Attraction |
Ticket |
Suggested Time |
Notes |
| Shantou — Small Park Arcade (汕头小公园骑楼群) |
Free |
1.5 hr |
Restored 1930s arcade buildings. Shantou Hotel (汕头旅社), Kaibu Culture Museum. Great for photography. The city’s historical heart. |
| Shantou — Nan’ao Island (南澳岛) |
Free (island access); bridge toll ~96 CNY per car |
Half to full day |
Cross-sea bridge. Qing’ao Bay (青澳湾), Tropic of Cancer marker, lighthouses. Seafood. Best by car. |
| Chaozhou — Guangji Bridge (广济桥) |
20 CNY |
1 hr |
One of China’s four great ancient bridges. The middle section opens for boat passage each day — watch the “break-apart” ceremony. Night light show at 8 PM. |
| Chaozhou — Paifang Street (牌坊街) |
Free |
1.5 hr |
22 memorial arches lining a 2-km pedestrian street. Snack central. |
| Chaozhou — Hanwengong Shrine (韩文公祠) |
20 CNY |
45 min |
Temple dedicated to Han Yu, the Tang Dynasty poet and official exiled to Chaozhou. |
| Chaozhou — Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺) |
Free |
45 min |
Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple with well-preserved halls and statues. Active monastery. |
| Chaozhou — Old City Wall (潮州古城墙) |
Free |
30 min |
Ming Dynasty city wall with gates along the Han River. Good evening stroll. |
吃 (Food)
| Dish |
Recommended Restaurant |
Address / Area |
Price |
Notes |
| Chaoshan Beef Hotpot (潮汕牛肉火锅) |
Baholi Haiji (八合里海记) |
Shantou, multiple locations |
80-150 CNY / person |
Freshly sliced beef — boren (neck), diaolong (sirloin), wuhuazhi (fatty). Swabian sauce. Must-try. |
| Chaoshan Beef Hotpot |
Xinghua Wuji (杏花吴记) |
Shantou, Xinghua Road |
80-150 CNY / person |
Famous alternative; long queues. |
| Shantou Rice Rolls (汕头肠粉) |
Xiaowu Changfen (小吴肠粉) |
Shantou, Jinping District |
~8-12 CNY |
Thin-skinned, filled with egg, oyster, meat. |
| Chaoshan Claypot Congee (潮州砂锅粥) |
Night congee stalls |
Chaozhou, Paifang Street area |
~30-50 CNY |
Shrimp-crab congee (虾蟹粥), eel congee (黄鳝粥). |
| Raw Seafood (生腌) |
Seafood night market stalls |
Shantou / Chaozhou |
40-80 CNY |
“Chaoshan ice cream” — raw crab, blood clams, mantis shrimp marinated in soy, garlic, chili, vinegar. Not for weak stomachs. |
| Oyster Omelette (蚝烙) |
Laobing (老柄) |
Chaozhou, Paifang Street |
~20 CNY |
Crispy fried oyster cake. Dip in fish sauce. |
| Chaozhou Spring Rolls (春卷) |
Street vendors |
Chaozhou, Paifang Street |
~5 CNY each |
Crispy, filled with bean sprouts, pork. |
| Duck Mu Nian (鸭母捻) |
Hu Rong Quan (胡荣泉) |
Chaozhou, Paifang Street |
~12 CNY |
Sweet glutinous rice dumpling in ginger soup. Classic Chaozhou dessert. |
| Kway Teow / Kway Chap (粿条/粿汁) |
Morning stalls |
Anywhere |
~10-20 CNY |
Rice noodle soup or dry version. |
| Phoenix Dan Cong Tea (凤凰单丛茶) |
Tea houses on Paifang Street |
Chaozhou |
Tea tasting ~30-80 CNY |
Famous oolong — “Yashixiang” (duck shit fragrance). Gongfu tea ceremony. |
住 (Hotel)
| Area |
Hotel Example |
Price Range |
Best For |
| Shantou — Jinping District (汕头金平区) |
Shantou International Hotel |
350-600 CNY |
City convenience, dining |
| Shantou — Jinping District (汕头金平区) |
Vienna Hotel Shantou |
250-400 CNY |
Budget business |
| Shantou — Nan’ao Island |
Nan’ao Seaview Resort |
400-800 CNY |
Beach, island escape |
| Chaozhou — Paifang Street area (潮州牌坊街附近) |
Chaozhou Old Town Boutique Hotel |
300-600 CNY |
Heritage atmosphere, food access |
| Chaozhou — Paifang Street area |
Chaozhou Jinjiang Inn |
200-350 CNY |
Budget, clean |
| Chaozhou — Riverside |
Han River View Hotel |
400-700 CNY |
River view, Guangji Bridge views |
- Phoenix Dan Cong Tea (凤凰单丛茶): Buy at Chaozhou tea shops on Paifang Street. Yashixiang (鸭屎香) is the most famous variety.
- Chaoshan Beef Balls (潮汕牛肉丸): Vacuum-packed raw or cooked beef balls — available at Shantou meat markets.
- Chaozhou Ceramics (潮州陶瓷): Chaozhou is a historic porcelain center. Decorative and practical pieces sold on Paifang Street.
- Chaoshan Lao Xiang Huang (老香黄): Aged preserved Buddha’s hand (citrus) — a digestive remedy sold in jars.
- Chaozhou Embroidery (潮绣): Traditional silk embroidery; available at craft shops.
贴士 (Tips)
- Best split: 2 days in Shantou (beef hotpot, Nan’ao Island, old town) + 1 day in Chaozhou (bridges, temples, street food).
- Beef hotpot timing: Go early (11 AM or 5 PM) to avoid queues at famous places like Baholi Haiji and Xinghua Wuji.
- Raw seafood caution: Raw crab and blood clams are delicious but can cause stomach issues for first-timers. Start with small portions and eat at reputable stalls.
- Gongfu Tea: Don’t leave without experiencing a proper Chaoshan gongfu tea ceremony. Many tea shops on Paifang Street offer free tastings.
- Guangji Bridge light show: 8 PM every night, lasts about 15 minutes. Best viewed from the Han River bank on the Chaozhou Old City side.
- Nan’ao Island transport: A ferry also runs from Shantou’s harbor (20 CNY, 1 hr). The cross-sea bridge makes driving easiest, but taxis onto the island are expensive.
- Chaoshan vs. Cantonese food: Chaoshan cuisine is distinct from Cantonese (Guangzhou/Hong Kong) food — spicier, saltier, with heavy use of fermented condiments.
- Language: Teochew (Chaozhou dialect) is the local language. Mandarin is understood. English is limited — use a translation app.
- Best season: October to April. Summer is hot and prone to typhoons.
- Airbnb / homestay: Chaozhou old town has many boutique homestays in restored courtyard houses — book in advance for weekends.
