Shantou 2025 Guide: Must-see attractions, local cuisine, and practical tips! | Trip.com

Explore the Historical Treasures of Shantou

Discover Shantou's rich history by visiting Guangji Gate, Shantou Museum, and Zhongshan Park. These landmarks offer a glimpse into the city's cultural heritage and traditional architecture.

Experience the Vibrant Culture at Queshi Scenic Spot

Explore Queshi Scenic Spot's unique rock formations, ancient temples, and panoramic coastal views, blending natural beauty with cultural significance.

Explore Nan'ao Island

Nan'ao Island offers stunning coastal scenery, historical sites, and local fishing culture. Visit Qing'ao Bay for beautiful beaches and the Nan'ao Island Song Well for a touch of history.

Visit the Chen Cihong's Former Residence

This well-preserved mansion showcases traditional Teochew architecture and offers a glimpse into the life of a wealthy merchant family from the late Qing Dynasty.

Stroll Along Seascape Long Corridor

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Seascape Long Corridor with beautiful coastal views, lush greenery, and various sculptures and art installations.

Delve into the World of Gongfu Tea Ceremony

Engage in the traditional Gongfu tea ceremony, learning the intricate steps of brewing and serving tea, and appreciating its delicate flavors.

Participate in Teochew Opera

Attend a Teochew Opera performance to experience the rich cultural heritage and artistic expression unique to the Chaoshan region.

Learn Teochew Embroidery

Visit a local workshop to see artisans at work and try your hand at Teochew embroidery, known for its intricate designs and vibrant colors.

Sample Local Cuisine

Shantou is famous for Chaoshan cuisine, including beef hotpot, oyster omelette, and braised goose. Try these delicacies at street stalls and traditional restaurants.

Explore the Shantou Small Commodity Market

This bustling market offers a variety of goods, from clothing to electronics. It's a great place to find bargains and unique souvenirs.

Shantou is renowned for its dynamic blend of natural and cultural attractions, highlighted by sites such as Queshi Scenic Area, offering breathtaking panoramas and historic architecture. It is called the City of Glory, which reflects the city's rich history as a commercial port intermingling international influences with local traditions.

Queshi Scenic Area is celebrated for its sublime natural scenery, which beautifully incorporates the sea, mountains, and caves, draped in subtropical flora. The area's panoramic views from its hilltops and historical architectures like old consulates and the Piaoran Pavilion add a rich cultural context, making it an intriguing spot. Activities such as hiking, cave exploration, and indulging in sea-related entertainment offer visitors multifaceted experiences, weaving together natural wonders with cultural insights.

The City of Glory stands out as a significant cultural site in Shantou, reflecting the city’s rich history as a commercial port that intertwined international influences within local traditions. It features an array of historical buildings, built by returned overseas Chinese, which exemplify Shantou’s unique architectural and cultural evolution. This attraction offers a deep dive into the historical and cultural narratives that have shaped the local community over the decades.

The cuisine of Shantou is celebrated for its distinct regional qualities and diverse flavors. It offers a range of exquisite dishes like marinated goose, Teochew-style rice noodles rolls, traditional tofu pudding, and the time-honored Dahao fish balls. Each dish embodies the local culture and traditions, creating an unmatched culinary experience.

The Shantou Salted Goose is delightfully irresistible, from its tender goose liver to its perfectly balanced fatty meat, firm aromatic neck, robust chewy gizzard, and succulent fresh eggs. Each component soaks up a rich blend of over ten spices resulting in a flavorful, aromatic, and long-lasting taste that offers a burst of happiness with every bite.

Rice noodles rolls are celebrated for their delicate, silky, and slightly chewy texture. Diners can tailor them with a variety of fillings, including popular choices like pork, beef, and fresh shrimp, along with a wide selection of sides. The favored condiment for many is a special marinade, often topped with thick peanut and sesame sauces that add a rich and savory taste. These velvety rice noodle rolls hold a special place in the hearts of Shantou locals, evoking cherished memories.

When in Shantou, tasting tofu pudding is an absolute must for food enthusiasts. This local specialty features a creamy texture, enhanced by warm brown sugar that seeps into the dense tofu pudding, infusing it with intense bean aroma and a perfectly balanced sweetness. Described succinctly, it’s glutinous, velvety, and sweet.

Dahao's fish balls are a renowned delicacy in Shantou, boasting a rich history that spans hundreds of years. They are made following a stringent and fixed procedure, where the finest fish from various seasons are blended together. They are characterized by their snow-white color, spherical shape, springy texture, as well as fresh and crisp flavor.

Shantou's transportation infrastructure is centered around its airport and railway station, both of which are essential for intercity travel.

Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (IATA: SWA, ICAO: ZGOW) is the primary aviation hub serving Shantou and its neighboring cities. Located approximately 40 km from the city center, the airport has a significant number of domestic and international flights, making it a crucial gateway for the region. To reach Shantou from the airport, travelers can use the airport railway station for convenient access to the city.

Shantou Railway Station, situated in Longhu District, is a key node on the Guangzhou–Meizhou–Shantou and Xiamen–Shenzhen railway lines. It manages a substantial number of trains and provides connections to major cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen. For city access, there are several city bus routes available from the station, offering convenient transportation to various parts of Shantou.

Shantou’s local transportation includes a comprehensive city bus system, taxis, and future expectations for a metro service. 

The city bus system in Shantou covers every corner of the city and nearby tourist areas, making it both an extensive and affordable option for navigating the city. 

Taxis in Shantou offer a standard fare for the first 2.6 kilometers, and for each additional kilometer. Some drivers might opt for a flat rate, so negotiation before the ride is recommended.

Shantou is a vibrant city that hosts a plethora of accommodation options across multiple areas, each catering to different needs with its unique characteristics. Popular areas for travelers include Suning Plaza/ The Mixc, Nan'ao Island, and Shantou Small Park, which offer distinct features ranging from modern conveniences to historical ambiance.

Suning Plaza / The Mixc area in Shantou is a modern and bustling hub known for its proximity to shopping centers and ease of access to local transportation. This region provides a luxurious atmosphere with contemporary hotels that often feature amenities such as spas, fitness centers, and fine dining options. Conveniently located near various attractions, this area is within walking distance from landmarks like Suning Plaza, and close to Jinsha Park, enhancing its appeal for those who enjoy vibrant city life and evening strolls in a lively commercial district.

Nan'ao Island offers a serene getaway with its breathtaking coastal lines and less urbanized environment. Known for its pristine beaches and the freshest seafood, it's a pinnacle for travelers wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The island is characterized by its ease of access to natural reserves and local fishing villages, presenting an authentic cultural experience. Visitors can indulge in various water sports or simply relax by the scenic viewpoints that overlook the vast ocean.

Shantou Small Park area, situated in the Jinping district, is quintessentially known for its rich history and cultural landmarks including the Shantou Customs Bell Tower and the Museum of the Opening of the Commercial Port. This area offers an economically budget-friendly choice for accommodations, making it a favorable pick for cultural enthusiasts and backpackers. Its significant historical context and preserved ancient architecture, provide a deep dive into the local heritage and traditional street foods of Shantou.

The best time to visit Shantou is from mid-October to late November when the weather is mild and pleasant, perfect for exploring and participating in outdoor activities. Avoiding the hot and humid summer months, especially July and August, is highly recommended.

In Shantou, the predominant local language is Teochew, a variant of the Southern Min dialect group, with Mandarin widely spoken among the younger population as the main educational language. Due to its historical role as a trading port and a Special Economic Zone, there is a presence of multiple languages, including some use of English in high-end hospitality sectors and Cantonese influenced by media. 

Alipay: This app is widely utilized for cashless payments and is also convenient for booking public transportation in China.

WeChat: Essential for communication and social media needs, it also provides mobile payment options and supports various daily transactions.

Didi Chuxing: Commonly used as a ride-hailing app, it functions similarly to Uber and offers services via Alipay even without a Chinese phone number.

MetroMan: Useful for navigating metro systems across major cities in China, helping to plan routes and calculate travel costs.

Trip.com: is a popular online travel platform that provides a comprehensive range of services including booking flights.

Mobile data packages for immigrants in China are available through local carriers such as China Mobile and Unicom. China Mobile offers prepaid data SIM cards with unlimited text messages and calls within China, and high-speed connections, sometimes even 5G. Unicom provides SIM cards with data packs that include unlimited music applications, and both do not require long-term contracts. 

Public WiFi in China is widely available in places like airports, restaurants, coffee shops, and malls. However, connecting to these networks often requires a Chinese phone number for text verification, which can be a challenge for travelers without a local SIM card. 

Shantou features a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid, rainy summers. The area experiences an average temperature of around 22°C (72°F), with the warmest months reaching up to 33°C (91°F). Rain is common from April to September, with Shantou receiving substantial rainfall during these months.

To stay comfortable, visitors should bring lightweight, breathable clothing and an umbrella for rainy days. During the warmer months, it's advisable to carry sun protection such as hats and sunscreen due to the abundant sunshine. Additionally, Shantou is susceptible to typhoons, especially from June to November, so travelers should monitor local weather updates and take necessary precautions during these periods.

In Shantou, popular payment methods include mobile payments like WeChat Pay, as well as foreign bank cards including Mastercard and Visa.

WeChat Pay is linked to foreign bank accounts enabling direct transactions, which can be done without manually completing payments on each purchase. Mastercard and Visa are accepted through POS machines at hotels, providing real-time currency exchange rates.