The cultural soul of the Teochew region, Chaozhou is a beautifully preserved old town of temples, a famous bridge and refined crafts — embroidery, woodcarving and the ceremonial gongfu tea that defines local life.
History & culture
A prefectural seat for over 1,300 years, Chaozhou nurtured a distinctive culture with its own dialect, opera and cuisine, and built the Guangji Bridge, a rare medieval span that opens with mobile pontoons.
What to see & do
- ◆Guangji Bridge and the riverside city gate
- ◆Paifang Street's restored memorial archways
- ◆Kaiyuan Temple, over a thousand years old
- ◆Teochew woodcarving and embroidery workshops
- ◆A proper gongfu tea session
What to eat
- ●Teochew marinated goose and oyster omelette
- ●Rice-noodle 'kway' dishes
- ●Sweet taro paste (orh nee)
Getting there
Chaoshan high-speed rail station and Chaoshan Airport are close by; the old town is compact and walkable.
Avoid the pitfalls
- The walled old town is best on foot — wear comfortable shoes.
- Gongfu tea is strong and served in rounds; sip slowly and accept the ritual.
- Weekends and holidays fill the main streets; mornings are calmest.
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