A Bite of Chaoshan
"If you have not been to the Chaoshan region, you can't claim to be a real gourmet. From the fresh fish to the rice wine, this area had inherited a food culture dating back to the Qin and Song dynasties."
— Chen Xiaoqing, directed of the famous documentary A Bite of China.
Chaoshan (the Chaozhou and Shantou region) is worthy of a visit if only for a food hunt, but there is much more to recommend: it's brilliant history, distinctive folk customs, pleasant climate…
Our 3-day trip to Chaozhou and Shantou will help you discover the unique and distinctive features of Chaoshan culture, especially the food culture and folk customs.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Enjoy amazing Chaozhou cuisine
Taste dishes made the ancient way, some dating back to Qin times (2,000 years ago), some the Song era (1,000 year ago). Fresh fish slices and marinated crab predate Japanese sashimi.
Taste real Chaozhou kung fu tea and experience leisurely local life
Chinese tea culture is best preserved in Chaoshan. Kung fu tea, the "espresso" of Chinese teas, has a formidable kick. First created in the Song Dynasty, it is still flourishing and remains an important part of social etiquette and hosting in Chaozhou.
Take in the history and culture of the Chaozhou "time capsule"
Explore the well-preserved historical residences and medieval architecture built in the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as you travel through over 1,000 years of Chaozhou history.
Appreciate exquisite Chinese craft arts
Chaozhou traditional handicrafts have a long history. Embroidery, wood engravings, hand-drawn pots, colored porcelain, and wheat straw paintings from Chaozhou are known across the globe
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
China Highlights and Helen helped us truly enjoy Beijing!
In Beijing, our guide was Helen and she was fantastic! (She is in several of our pics). She knowledgeable, patient and flexible with our requests for “extras”. And she was so thoughtful that seeing that my birthday would be while we’re in Beijing, arranged to celebrate it atop the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall! She had a mini cake, a candle, a lighter (!) refreshments for us, a mini table set up and everything (yes, she did just that!) My birthday was wonderful! more
May 2024, didacvs
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Total package
Helen was our guide once we arrived and she also knocked it out of the park bringing us to and showing us everything we planned with Ann and more. It was the 1st time I have had a guided trip and honestly it was the perfect place for it. Overall it was a great experience. more
May 2024, Tyler K
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Very special visit to Beijing made more special by excellent guide Selinda
Our trip to Beijing was very special made extra special by our guide Selinda The way she look after us was superb providing very valuable information on all the places we saw. The Great Wall was awesome Tienneman Sq and the forbidden city were beautiful and very interesting. We also enjoyed both the Summer palace and the temple of heaven. Selinda was the best guide we have ever had in all our trips more
May 2024, Colin
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Tour Map
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
We'll pick you up at Chaoshan Railway Station or Jieyang Chaoshan Airport and transfer you to downtown Chaozhou in about an hour.
Taste authentic Chaozhou kung fu tea in a local teahouse and listen to Chaozhou opera.
Then hunt for delicious Chaozhou food in Memorial Arches Street, while experiencing leisurely local life.
Stay overnight in Chaozhou.
Take a walking tour of Chaozhou old town, visiting Guangji Bridge and Guangji Gate Tower, Kaiyuan Temple, Jilue Huang Ancestral Hall, and Xu Mansion Hall.
Visit Chaozhou Masters Park to witness Chaozhou's exquisite Chinese folk craft arts and learn about the distinctive features of Chaozhou culture.
Stay overnight in Chaozhou.
Travel to Shantou in the morning (about 1½ hours by private vehicle).
Walk through Shantou Ancient Town, visiting Little Garden Park and Laoma Gong, Shantou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall. Learn how to make a traditional local snack — heart rice cakes — in a time-honored local restaurant.
Take the Shantou local ferry from People's Square to Queshi Park to witness the beautiful inner bay scenery and feel the rapid transformation of Shantou from an ancient fishing village to a big trade city.
We'll transfer you to Chaoshan Railway Station or Jieyang Chaoshan Airport for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: gd-2