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3 Days in Shantou: Itinerary 2026
Base yourself near the Old Town area around Xiaogongyuan (Small Park) for easy access to historic sites and street food. Hotels like the Shantou International Hotel offer mid-ranβ¦ πΊοΈ Where to Start
Base yourself near the Old Town area around Xiaogongyuan (Small Park) for easy access to historic sites and street food. Hotels like the Shantou International Hotel offer mid-range comfort within walking distance of key attractions. From there, you can reach most spots in 15-30 minutes by taxi or bus.
ποΈ Day 1: Old Town & Culture
Start your morning at the Shantou Museum (No. 6, Yuejin Road) to understand the city's history as a treaty port; admission is free. Then walk to the nearby Queshi Scenic Area (Queshi Bridge) for panoramic views of the harbor and the old European-style buildings. Spend the afternoon exploring the narrow lanes of the Old Town, where you'll find preserved shophouses and the iconic Nan'ao Island Ferry terminal.
π Day 1 Evening: Food Street
Head to the famous Changping Road Food Street for dinner, where stalls serve authentic Chaoshan beef hotpot and oyster omelets. Try the renowned 'Shantou Beef Ball' at Laomao Beef Ball (No. 88 Changping Road), open until 10 PM. Budget around 50-80 CNY per person for a filling meal.
π Day 2: Nan'ao Island
Take a 30-minute ferry from Shantou Ferry Terminal to Nan'ao Island (departures every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM, 20 CNY one way). Rent a bicycle or take the island bus to visit the Qing'ao Bay Beach and the historic Nan'ao Island Lighthouse. Return by late afternoon to avoid missing the last ferry at 6 PM.
ποΈ Day 2 Evening: Riverside Walk
After returning from Nan'ao, stroll along the Mei River promenade near the Shantou People's Square. The area lights up at dusk, and you can catch a free outdoor performance at the square's amphitheater on weekends. Grab a late snack at the nearby night market on Jinsha Road, open until midnight.
ποΈ Day 3: Shopping & Departure
Spend your final morning at the Shantou Wanda Plaza (No. 1 Changping Road) for modern shopping and a food court with local specialties. If you prefer traditional markets, visit the Xiaogongyuan Market for dried seafood and Chaoshan tea. Allow 1 hour to reach Shantou Chaoshan International Airport by taxi (about 80 CNY).
π Getting Around
Public buses cost 2 CNY per ride and cover most tourist areas, but taxis are affordable at around 10-20 CNY for short trips within the city center. Ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely used and often faster than hailing a cab on the street. For day trips to Nan'ao Island, the ferry is the most scenic option.
π° Local Prices
A budget traveler can manage on 200-300 CNY per day including meals, transport, and entry fees. Mid-range hotels cost 200-400 CNY per night, while street food meals are typically 15-30 CNY. Most attractions are free or under 50 CNY, making Shantou an affordable destination in 2026.
I've done this exact itinerary twice now and it holds up well. One thing I'd add is that the Queshi Scenic Area has a cable car that saves you a lot of walking up the hill, it's about 40 CNY round trip and the views from the top are better than anything you'll get on foot. The museum on Yuejin Road is worth a quick stop but don't budget more than 45 minutes there, the real history is in the old buildings scattered around the Old Town. For the night market on Jinsha Road, the grilled squid skewers from the second stall on the left are the best, the auntie running it has been there for over 20 years and her sauce is a family recipe.
This is a solid plan, I've done almost this exact route before. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the food street on Changping Road gets very crowded by 7 PM, so if you go around 5:30 or 6 you'll get a seat without waiting and the stalls are just as fresh. I also prefer renting an electric scooter on Nan'ao Island over a bicycle because the hills near the lighthouse can be brutal in the afternoon heat, it costs about 50 CNY for a few hours. The dried seafood market at Xiaogongyuan is worth the morning trip alone, you can pick up some really good dried scallops for 30-40 CNY a bag that make great gifts.
The guide's right about the Xiaogongyuan market, but I'd add that the street food scene there in the morning is actually better than Changping Road for breakfast. There's this old lady who sets up a stall around 7 AM selling chao guo (fried rice rolls) with a spicy sauce that beats anything you'll get from the big restaurants. Also, if you're going to Nan'ao, bring cash because some of the smaller rental shops for scooters don't take WeChat Pay, learned that the hard way last year.
Things to Do in Shantou (2026)
Begin your exploration at the Shantou Old Town (Xiaogongyuan area), where colonial-era buildings line Anping Road and Yongping Road. The iconic Nan'ao Island Ferry departsβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Old Town
Begin your exploration at the Shantou Old Town (Xiaogongyuan area), where colonial-era buildings line Anping Road and Yongping Road. The iconic Nan'ao Island Ferry departs from the nearby pier, offering a quick escape to the island's beaches and seafood restaurants. Most buildings are free to view, and the area is best explored on foot in the morning before the heat sets in.
ποΈ Nan'ao Island Day Trip
Take the 30-minute ferry from Shantou Ferry Terminal (Renmin Square) to Nan'ao Island, a scenic getaway with Qing'ao Bay and Tianhou Temple. The island's main beach, Qing'ao Bay, has soft sand and clear water, with entry free of charge. Rent a scooter near the ferry dock for about 50 RMB per day to explore the island's coastal roads and fishing villages.
π Eat Like a Local
Shantou is the heart of Chaoshan cuisine, and you cannot miss the beef hotpot at Haiji Laomao (No. 1, Changping Road, Jinping District), where fresh cuts are boiled in a clear broth. For a quick snack, try oyster omelets (oh-ah-jian) at the night market on Xiaogongyuan Road, with prices around 15-25 RMB per serving. Wash it down with a cup of gongfu tea from a local tea house, such as Laozhen Tea House on Anping Road.
ποΈ Hike Mount Queshi
Mount Queshi (Queshi Scenic Area) offers panoramic views of the city and the sea, with entry at 20 RMB. The hike takes about 1.5 hours round trip, and the trail starts near the Queshi Bridge bus stop (take bus 37 from the city center). Bring water and wear sturdy shoes, as some sections are steep and rocky.
ποΈ Visit the Chaoshan Museum
The Chaoshan Historical Museum (No. 8, Daxue Road, Jinping District) showcases the region's maritime history and traditional crafts, with free admission on weekdays. Highlights include a replica of a Chaoshan fishing junk and intricate woodcarvings from the Ming dynasty. Allow 1-2 hours to browse the exhibits, and check the museum's website for temporary exhibitions.
π Getting Around
Shantou's public bus system is affordable (2 RMB per ride) and covers most attractions, but buses can be crowded during peak hours. For faster travel, use ride-hailing apps like Didi, with trips within the city center costing 15-30 RMB. The city is bike-friendly along the coastal promenade, and shared bikes (Hellobike, Meituan) are widely available for short hops.
π Evening Stroll by the Bay
As dusk falls, head to the Shantou Bay Promenade (Binjiang Road) for a relaxed walk with views of the illuminated Nan'ao Island Bridge. Street vendors sell grilled squid and sugarcane juice near the Renmin Square area, with snacks costing around 10-20 RMB. The promenade is free and open 24/7, making it a perfect spot to end your day.
ποΈ Shop at Xiaogongyuan Market
Xiaogongyuan Market, located at the intersection of Anping Road and Yongping Road, is a bustling bazaar for souvenirs and local snacks. You can find Chaoshan-style tea sets, dried seafood, and handmade pastries like lao po bing (wife cakes) for 5-10 RMB each. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price and negotiate politely.
The guide covers the big spots well. If you have time, try the small street food alley off Yongping Road near the old post office, there's a stall that does chao guo (stir-fried rice cakes) with pork and pickled mustard greens for about 8 RMB. Most tourists miss it because it's tucked between two fabric shops. Also, the Chaoshan Museum is worth the trip but the free weekday admission means it gets packed with school groups, so aim to go right when it opens at 9am to have the exhibits to yourself.
yo this guide is legit, i've been telling visitors the same spots for years. one thing i'd throw in is the late night congee scene around Xiaogongyuan after 10pm, there's a cart on Anping Road near the old cinema that does a killer shrimp and century egg congee for like 12 RMB, they're only there when it's dark so keep an eye out. also for the promenade walk, if you go past the bridge towards the eastern end there's a little pier where locals fish at night, it's dead quiet and you can see the city lights reflecting off the water, way more chill than the crowded parts near Renmin Square
ngl the Nan'ao scooter tip is solid but watch out for the rental scams near the ferry dock, some places will try to charge u extra for "damage" that was already there. i always take a video of the scooter before i leave, showing every scratch and dent, saved me a few times. also if you're there on a weekday the ferry is way less crowded, like 10 people instead of 100, and you can actually snag a window seat on the upper deck for the views