Wonder how Chaozhou Island got its name? It comes from Chaozhou City. It is a city in Guangdong province. It faces Taiwan across the sea.
Chaozhou’s history stretches back over 1600 years. It was established in 331 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The city’s old town still holds traces of its past. Many old buildings are still standing.
Guangji Bridge is a must-see. It has guarded Chaozhou through changing times. It is a unique creation in Chinese bridge construction. The middle section has 18 pontoon boats. These boats can swing open to let ships pass.
Paifang Street is in the heart of Chaozhou’s old town. It features memorial arch architecture. You will see 22 stone arches from the Ming and Qing dynasties. They blend with Western-style buildings. Locals say a trip to Paifang Street reveals Chaozhou’s past and present.
Kaiyuan Temple was first built in 738 during the Tang Dynasty. It has been rebuilt over the years. Today the temple shows a millennium of architectural art. The art spans the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Huang Jilue Temple displays Chaozhou’s best wood carving art. It reflects the artistic style of Chaozhou homes. The temple dates back to the late Qing Dynasty. It was built by a wealthy businessman. He hired the best woodcarvers. He wanted to show respect for his ancestors. He also wanted to show his family’s wealth.
The Residence of the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu was built in the Song Dynasty. It retains the architectural style of that time. It is the earliest existing mansion-style residence in Chaozhou.
Longhu Ancient Village dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty. It thrived during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, over 100 ancient buildings remain. It is considered Chaoshan’s Ancient Architecture Expo.
Chaozhou is the heart of Chaoshan culture. This culture includes Chaozhou, Shantou, Jieyang, and Shanwei. It is the culture of the Teochew people. The Teochew people came from central China over a thousand years ago. They developed their own language and art forms.
Chaoshan culture is a subculture of Han culture. It maintains ancient Central Plains traditions. The area has its own opera called Chaozhou opera. It has its own tea ceremony called Kung Fu tea. It features a distinct cuisine. It has its own dialect and folk arts. These arts include Chaozhou embroidery and woodcarving.
Chaozhou Kung Fu tea is a must-try. It is the most representative tea culture in China. Baishi Garden is a cultural heritage base. You can see traditional crafts there. You can even try Chaozhou embroidery.
Chaozhou is known as a food city. The saying goes: Go to Guangzhou for good eats. Go to Chaozhou for authentic flavors. Teochew cuisine emphasizes seafood and vegetables. It focuses on original flavors. Teochew cuisine is a backbone of Cantonese cuisine. It has been featured at the World Expo three times.
Chaozhou was a gateway of the Maritime Silk Road. As early as the Western Han Dynasty, voyages were recorded. During the Song Dynasty, Chaozhou expanded through maritime trade. Local porcelain, tea, silk, and handicrafts were shipped worldwide.
Chaozhou is the hometown of many overseas Chinese. In the 1940s and 1950s, many people moved to Hong Kong or Taiwan. They formed close communities. Large Teochew communities also exist in Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
The best time to visit Chaozhou is autumn and winter. This is from October to March. Temperatures are mild. Rainfall is lower. The nearest airport is Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport. The best way to get to Chaozhou is by high-speed train. You can come from Guangzhou or Shenzhen.
A trip to Chaozhou takes about two days. You can see Guangji Bridge and Paifang Street. You can visit Kaiyuan Temple and Huangjilue Temple. You can explore the Residence of the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu. You can also visit Baishi Garden.