A Taste Journey Through Half the City: Chaoshan 6 Days 5 Nights｜Ancient Bridges and Arcade Buildings × Freshly Pickled Night Snacks × Kung Fu Tea

📅 Best Season: September to November (avoid the hot and rainy season) | 🚗 Transportation: Jieyang Airport + Intercity Taxi + Shared Electric Scooter 🌟 Highlights 1. One Bridge, One Arcade, One Street: The marvel of Guangji Bridge’s opening and closing, 23 honorific archways on Paifang Street, Ming and Qing dynasty residences in Jiadi Alley (Chaozhou cultural landmarks) 2. Late Night Food Revolution: Freshly pickled stalls on Longyan South Road, traditional snacks on Xima Road, Guantang beef stalls at midnight (the later, the tastier) 3. Intangible Cultural Heritage Double Experience: Handmade teapot crafting (Jiadi Alley workshop), Chaozhou opera makeup and photo session (Paifang Street Opera House) 📸 Daily In-depth Routes and Must-do Activities Day 1: Departure from Chaozhou Ancient City - Morning: Watch the "Bridge Removal" at Guangji Bridge (17:30 floating bridge dismantling ceremony, the world’s only opening and closing ancient bridge) - Afternoon: Stamp collection mission on Paifang Street (find the hidden "Jinshi Residence" plaques on 23 archways, redeem a Kung Fu tea experience voucher) - Night: Fermented bean curd chicken wings on Zhenqian Street + Yushi Ice Room’s sea salt mango ice (delivery straight to your accommodation) Day 2: Travel Through Ming and Qing Dynasties - Secret Route: Jiadi Alley → Xingning Alley → Gu Cuo Alley (explore the "Four Golden Points" residences, doorways with gray sculptures hiding qilin Easter eggs) - Handmade Experience: Century-old brand "Yudetang" hand-pulled teapot (make a mini tea pet to take home) - Late Night Code: Tell the chef at Guantang Brothers Beef Shop “I want it crispy” to get the limited spoon-handle meat Day 3: Han River Cultural Tour - Morning Ritual: Listen to the morning bell at Kaiyuan Temple (6:30 monks’ morning prayers, receive a stick of incense) - Afternoon Arts: Listen to Chaozhou opera at Zaiyang Teahouse (order secret phrase “Want Rouge Red” to get tea snacks) - Sunset Photo Spot: Han River shore rock piles (capture silhouette at the moment Guangji Tower lights up) Day 4: Shantou Old Town Revival - Arcade Secrets: Send postcards at Xiaogongyuan Post Office (stamp with limited overseas Chinese mail seal) → Retro character wall at Shantou Hostel - Ferry Surprise: 17:00 Plaza Ferry (1 yuan chase the orange sea sunset, feed bread crumbs to egrets) - Night Food Crawl: Longyan South Road’s “Three Musketeers” — Xiao Wu rice rolls + Ruijiao Grandma’s freshly pickled snacks + A Qun’s licorice fruit Day 5: Light Adventure on Nan’ao Island - Chartered Route: Changwei Mountain Lighthouse (photograph the S-curve of Nan’ao Bridge) → Sancong Cliff Lighthouse (red and white striped coast) → Windmill Mountain (No. 42 wind turbine viewing platform) - Hidden Fun: Qing’ao Bay fishermen lend nets (10 yuan to try pulling a ground cage, barbecue crabs if caught) Day 6: Farewell Feast - Morning Tea Ritual: Egg tarts at Jinfeng Restaurant + Partridge tea (local favorite morning tea spot) - Souvenir List: - Chaozhou: Old medicinal tangerines (Hu Rongquan), Dancong tea (Tianyu Tea Studio) - Shantou: Satay sauce (Chuangdi Beef Ball Shop), Mung bean cakes (Shanpai Fupingfang) 🍜 Flavor Map (with Secret Code Guide) City Must-try Item Recommended Shop Secret Code/Tip Chaozhou Satay Cake Nameless stall on Paifang Street “Add pork cracklings” for extra crispiness Duck Mother Nian Hu Rongquan Order “double combo” with sesame + taro filling Shantou Freshly Pickled Crab Ruijiao Grandma Free refill of white porridge Beef Hotpot Xinghua Wuji Arrive by 11:00 am to skip the queue Nan’ao Seaweed Fried Rice Qing’ao Bay Food Stall Add 30 yuan to upgrade to sea urchin fried rice 🛏️ Accommodation and Transportation Guide - Chaozhou Accommodation: Courtyard homestays around Paifang Street (recommend “Nanmiao Homestay,” terrace facing Guangji Tower) - Shantou Accommodation: Wanxiangcheng Serviced Apartments (prefer rooms with laundry facilities to cope with humid weather) - Island Travel Essentials: - Rent electric scooters in Shantou via “Xiaobei Travel” (daily rent ¥30, helmet stored in basket no checks) - Nan’ao car hire with license plate Guangdong D·L (official fleet with insurance) ⚠️ Hard-earned Tips 1. Fresh Pickling Safety Rules: - First try shrimp pickles > crab pickles, pair with high-proof white liquor for sterilization - Those with weak stomachs should prepare montmorillonite powder (available at local pharmacies) 2. Off-peak Strategy: - Secure a seat at the second-floor tea house for Guangji Bridge light show (arrive before 19:00, no crowding with consumption) - Xinghua Wuji WeChat official account: get a number 2 hours in advance 3. Climate Survival Kit: - Foldable umbrella + mosquito repellent patches (many midges by Han River) - Quick-dry clothes (average 20,000 steps per day) Chaoshan Travel Philosophy: Wait at Guangji Bridge for the boat dismantling and cable release, witness the ancient wisdom of “removing the bridge after crossing”; Squat on Longyan South Road for freshly pickled stalls, join locals in a late-night fresh flavor carnival; Cool off with Kung Fu tea, let Chaozhou opera water sleeves brush the moonlight on Paifang Street— Half the city’s fireworks become the proof of our fondness for this world.