Chaoshan ā the combined cultural sphere of Chaozhou and Shantou ā is China's most underrated food destination. The Chaoshan people are traders by history and artists by nature, and both qualities show in their cuisine: extraordinary attention to the quality of the ingredient, exquisite technique, and a seafood tradition that stretches back thousands of years along this South China coast.
Arrive in Shantou. Drive across the iconic Nan'ao Bridge ā a 11km engineering marvel over the South China Sea ā to Nan'ao Island. Check in to a sea-view hotel. Afternoon: walk to the Changshanwei Lighthouse (éæ山尾ēÆå”) for a Pacific Ocean sunset that locals call "the most beautiful in Guangdong." Dinner: fresh oysters, cured fish and Chaoshan-style hot pot at a harbor-side restaurant.
Cross back to the mainland. Drive to Chaozhou ā one of China's best-preserved ancient cities. Morning: the Guangji Bridge (å¹æęµę”„), a 600-year-old bridge with a floating pontoon section that opens daily to let boats pass. Afternoon: witness the Yingge Dance ā the UNESCO intangible heritage performance where dancers in full warrior makeup move like "China's superheroes." Visit a brine goose master for lunch ā the single most important dish in Chaoshan cuisine. Evening: Paifang Street, the arch gateway corridor of a thousand years of merchant culture.
Morning: Han Wengong Temple (é©ęå ¬ē„ ) ā dedicated to the Tang dynasty poet-governor Han Yu, set in mountain gardens above the city. Drive to Shantou: the Shantou Small Park (å°å ¬å), a cluster of perfectly preserved 1920sā1930s colonial-era arcaded streets. Farewell lunch: Shantou double skin milk pudding (åē®å„¶) and oyster omelette. Transfer to airport.
Chaoshan is a food lover's secret. Let us show you why.