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Things to Do in Chaozhou (2026)
Begin your journey at Guangji Bridge, a Song Dynasty marvel that combines a bridge with a floating pontoon section. It opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an admis… 🏛️ Start at Guangji Bridge
Begin your journey at Guangji Bridge, a Song Dynasty marvel that combines a bridge with a floating pontoon section. It opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an admission fee of 20 RMB. Cross the bridge to reach the ancient city wall and enjoy views of the Han River.
🏯 Explore the Old City
Wander through the narrow lanes of Chaozhou's Old City, where traditional courtyard houses and ancestral halls line the streets. Don't miss the Huang Family Ancestral Hall at 30 Yijie Road, a masterpiece of wood carving and gold leaf. Entry is 10 RMB, and it's open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
🍜 Taste Local Specialties
Chaozhou is famous for its beef hot pot and oyster omelets. Head to the night market on Paifang Street, where stalls serve fresh beef balls and braised goose from 6:00 PM onward. For a sit-down meal, try Zhengyi Beef Hot Pot at 88 Xinqiao Road, where a meal for two costs around 120 RMB.
⛰️ Hike Mount Bijia
For panoramic views of the city, hike up Mount Bijia, a 30-minute climb from the base near the Han River. The trail is free and open all day, but it's best visited in the late afternoon for sunset. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes, as the path can be steep in sections.
🎭 Watch a Teochew Opera
Experience the local art form of Teochew opera at the Chaozhou Opera Theater on Zhongshan Road. Performances are held on weekends at 8:00 PM, with tickets starting at 50 RMB. The elaborate costumes and distinctive singing style offer a unique cultural insight.
🏺 Visit a Ceramics Workshop
Chaozhou has a long history of ceramics, and you can try your hand at pottery at the Chaozhou Ceramics Museum on Fengxin Road. Workshops cost 80 RMB per person and include materials and firing. The museum itself is free and open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday.
🚌 Getting Around
The city center is walkable, but for longer distances, use the local bus system or taxis. Buses cost 2 RMB per ride, while taxis start at 7 RMB. For a more scenic option, rent a bicycle from shops near Guangji Bridge for about 20 RMB per day.
🌃 Evening Riverside Stroll
End your day with a stroll along the Han River promenade, which is beautifully lit after dark. The area near Guangji Bridge is especially lively, with street food vendors and local musicians. It's free and open to everyone, making it a perfect spot to relax and people-watch.
solid write-up, covers the essentials well. one thing i'd nudge people toward is the han river night cruise, it's about 30 rmb and runs from the dock just south of guangji bridge. you get a totally different perspective of the bridge and city lights from the water, especially when the pontoon section is open and boats pass through. also worth grabbing a bag of lao ma gong's fried pastry twists from the shop on taiping road before you head to the river, they're like 8 rmb for a big bag and perfect for munching while you walk
ngl the guide nails the basics but one thing i'd add is the morning tea scene. hit up the old city around 7am and you'll see locals sipping gongfu cha at those tiny shops tucked in the alleys off paifang street. way more authentic than the touristy spots and a cup of phoenix dancong will run u like 5-10 rmb. also the ceramics workshop is cool but if you're short on time just browse the free museum part, the collection of ming dynasty pieces is worth a look without the pottery class fee.
one spot that always gets overlooked is the old city's hanwen temple complex near the eastern gate. it's a peaceful compound dedicated to han yu, the tang dynasty poet who was exiled here, and the stone steles inside have his calligraphy carved into them. entry is like 15 rmb and it's quieter than the ancestral hall, takes maybe 30 minutes to walk through. also if you're up early, the soy milk vendor on yijie road near the huang family hall opens around 6am and sells that thick version with ginger syrup for 3 rmb a bowl, way better than the watered down stuff at breakfast chains
Chaozhou on a Budget: Tips 2026
Budget travelers can find clean hostels and guesthouses in the old town area for as low as 60-100 RMB per night. For a private room, expect to pay around 150-250 RMB at… 🏠 Affordable Accommodation
Budget travelers can find clean hostels and guesthouses in the old town area for as low as 60-100 RMB per night. For a private room, expect to pay around 150-250 RMB at places like Chaozhou Old Town Inn or the nearby youth hostels. Booking a few weeks in advance helps secure the best rates.
🍜 Street Food Savings
Chaozhou's street food is incredibly cheap, with local snacks like beef balls, oyster omelets, and rice rolls costing 5-15 RMB per portion. Head to Paifang Street or the night market near Guangji Bridge for authentic eats. A full meal for two can be under 40 RMB.
🚌 Getting Around Cheaply
Public buses cost just 2 RMB per ride and cover most attractions, including the old town and Han River area. For shorter trips, renting a bicycle for 20-30 RMB per day is a great option. Taxis start at 7 RMB, but ride-hailing apps like Didi are often cheaper for longer distances.
🎫 Low-Cost Attractions
Many of Chaozhou's top sights are free or very cheap. Guangji Bridge costs 20 RMB to cross, while the Han Yu Memorial Temple and Kaiyuan Temple are free to enter. The old town itself is a maze of historic streets perfect for wandering without spending a cent.
🆓 Free Things to Do
Stroll along the Han River promenade at sunset for stunning views of Guangji Bridge. Visit the Chaozhou Museum (free entry) to learn about local history and ceramics. The ancient city walls and the bustling Paifang Street are also free to explore.
💡 Local Money-Saving Tips
Locals often eat at small, family-run stalls rather than tourist-oriented restaurants, saving up to 50% on meals. Buy snacks and water from convenience stores like 7-Eleven instead of tourist spots. Avoid peak holiday seasons like Chinese New Year when prices double.
🛍️ Souvenir Shopping on a Budget
For authentic and cheap souvenirs, head to the local markets near the old town, where handmade ceramics and tea sets start at 10 RMB. Avoid the shops directly at tourist attractions, as they mark up prices. Bargaining is expected at street stalls, so don't be shy.
This is really well put together. One thing I'd add is that the Chaozhou Museum is free but the Guangji Gate Tower has a small exhibition upstairs for 10 RMB that most tourists miss. The view from the top over the river and old town rooftops is worth it, especially late afternoon when the light hits the bridge tiles. Also for cheap eating, the breakfast stalls on Taiping Road near the intersection with Yijin Road do a mean bowl of chao zhou style congee with pickled vegetables for about 5 RMB, and they're usually done by 10am so you have to go early.
honestly this is a solid guide, especially the bit about family-run stalls. i'd add that the best beef balls aren't at paifang street tourist stalls but down xima road near the old city wall, there's a tiny place with no english sign that does them for 8 rmb a bowl and the broth is way richer. also for getting around, the bicycle rental is great but watch out for the cobblestone alleys in the old town, they're bumpy as hell on a cheap bike. one thing missing: if you're here on a sunday, the antique market near guangji bridge is free to browse and you can find old ceramic shards for like 5 rmb instead of the polished stuff at souvenir shops.
good guide, covers the basics well. one thing i'd add: the public toilets situation. most of the free ones in the old town are squat style and not always clean, so carry your own tissue and hand sanitizer. the ones at kaiyuan temple are actually the cleanest public ones ive found in the area. also for the han river promenade at sunset, bring mosquito repellent, the bugs get pretty bad near the water around dusk and it can ruin the vibe if you're not ready.