Hop on the high-speed rail and hit the road(III)

Chaoshan consists of three well-known cities, namely, Chaozhou, Shantou and Jieyang. The high-speed railway station is located right at the core of this area, making it easy to reach all three cities. Visiting places of interest, tasting various types of local snacks, feeling the strange Chaoshan dialect while sipping the kung-fu tea are the must-dos when you come here.

Where to have fun

For tourists visiting this area for the first time, the Gateway Street or Paifangjie in Chaozhou City should be included on your list. In this “folklore museum” without walls, you will easily bump into shops selling authentic Chaozhou embroidery, ceramics and pure copper as well as well-known snacks that will make your mouth water.

The Eight Famous Scenes of Chaozhou, including Guangji Bridge, Kaiyuan Temple and Hanwengong Temple are also not far away.

Shantou City includes Chaoyang District, Dahao District, Nan’ao Island as well as the “toy kingdom” Chenghai District. One of the more familiar sights for foreigners is Shantou University.

Thanks to Li Ka-shing, the commencement of this university attracts global attention every year. The architectural design, sculptures and culture here are all worth seeing.

Chen Cihong’s Former Residence in Chenghai District is a very traditional Chaoshan house. Chen (1843-1921) was a great overseas Chinese businessman and navigator. His former residence is not only large in scale but also high-class in terms of the building materials.

Delicacies

Chaoshan is quite well-known for its snacks. Chaoshan people pay great attention to health and seasonal foods, so when you travel to this area in autumn, whether you are a foodie or not, try the beef hotpot and spiced goose that can be found on almost every corner.

Tips: It takes about two hours and 15 minutes and 90 yuan to travel from Shenzhen to Chaoshan by a high-speed train. There are many trains every day, but the tickets are not easy to get, especially during holidays.

Destination 6: Zhangzhou City

Zhangzhou, neighboring Quanzhou City and Shantou City, is not exactly familiar for most people but is definitely a place worth visiting.

What makes the city so special?

Firstly, its strange meal practices — four dishes with one soup. Secondly, you will be able to appreciate the spectacular tulou architecture, usually featuring a large, enclosed and fortified earthen building. Thirdly, the beautiful TV drama “Yunshuiyao” starring Chen Kun was shot here.

Where to have fun

This old city is home to a temple built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a prefectural school built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), a gateway street built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and qilou buildings built during the period of the Republic of China (1912-1949), which altogether create the living old city “museum.”

Delicacies

Here in Zhangzhou people also drink kung-fu tea. Two things that are quite unique are the four-fruit soup and the “hand grabbing noodles.”

Tips: It takes about three hours and 20 minutes and 138 yuan to travel from Shenzhen to Zhangzhou by high-speed train.