Chaozhou Archway Street: A thousand-year-old archway feast and the Chaozhou flavor on your tongue

Chaozhou Paifang Street, the largest ancient archway street in China, is not only a historical and cultural business card of Chaozhou, but also a paradise for food lovers. Walking on the bluestone road, you will see 23 stone archways from the Ming and Qing dynasties standing tall, each of which is engraved with the glory and splendor of the Chaozhou people. Transportation Guide: Paifang Street is located in the center of Chaozhou ancient city and has convenient transportation. It is recommended to take the high-speed rail to Chaoshan Station, and then transfer to bus line K2 to Paifang Street. The best way to get around the ancient city is by foot or by bike. You can rent electric bikes at the North Gate parking lot to travel easily through the streets and alleys. Tour route: • Morning: Enter from the north gate and visit “Zhuangyuanfang” to experience the cultural heritage of Lin Daqin, the No. 1 Scholar in the Ming Dynasty. Then stroll along the arcades. The corner of "Jia Di Lane" in the middle is a great place to take photos, with red lanterns and carved window lattices complementing each other. • Noon: Don’t miss the main street food area, where authentic snacks such as beef offal rice noodles, duck twists, and fermented bean curd cakes are waiting for you to try. • Afternoon: Continue to visit the “Four Scholars Archway” and other memorial archways and listen to the legend of the imperial examination. Afterwards, you can go to Kaiyuan Temple to pray, or walk to Guangji Bridge to experience the majesty of one of the “Four Great Ancient Bridges in China”. • Evening: Return to Paifang Street. When night falls, the archway lights up and the night market snacks smell delicious. It is the best time to experience Chaozhou nightlife. Must-see attractions: • Zhuangyuanfang: The soul of Paifang Street. The light and shadow are best before 9 am. Use a wide-angle lens to shoot from a low angle to show its solemnity. • Arcade corridors: a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural aesthetics, especially in the Jiadi Lane section. • Hand-Pulled Teapot Experience Hall: Make a Chaozhou hand-pulled teapot by yourself and experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage. • Chaozhou Embroidery Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Area: Appreciate the exquisiteness and beauty of Chaozhou Embroidery with every stitch and thread. Food recommendations: • Uncle Wei’s Beef Balls: A century-old restaurant with chewy meat and sweet soup. • Hu Rongquan Duck Stir-fried Chicken: Rich in ingredients and tasty, sweet but not greasy. • Salted Rice Cake: 10 pieces for 1 yuan, cold rice cake with hot preserved radish, the best value for money. • Phoenix fried tofu: crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, dipped in mint leaves, garlic and soy sauce, refreshing and degreasy. Tips: • Paifang Street is open all day and free to visit, but some intangible cultural heritage experience halls require reservations. • 12:00-15:00 is the peak period for handicraft experience, so it is recommended to visit during off-peak hours. • On rainy days, you can visit the arcade shelter area first, and on hot days, you can go to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall to escape the heat and listen to Chaozhou opera. • Take a night tour of Paifang Street and don’t miss the light show, which is held at 20:00 from Monday to Thursday, with an additional show at 21:30 on weekends and holidays. Chaozhou Paifang Street, a living ancient city museum and a cultural feast spanning thousands of years, is waiting for you to explore. #AprilGoodDestinations2025