Is Chaoshan Worth Visiting? Yes — Here’s Why

Short answer: if you love food, Chaoshan is the most underrated food destination in China — and it’s only 2.5 hours by high-speed rail from Guangzhou.

Chaoshan (the Chaozhou-Shantou region) is where Cantonese cuisine gets serious. This is the home of hand-beaten beef hotpot, lion-head goose, oyster omelettes, and gongfu tea culture. It’s also a region of ancient towns, thousand-year-old bridges and some of the most authentic street food in the country.

Why Food Lovers Love Chaoshan

• Hand-beaten beef balls & hotpot — arguably the best in China
• Lion-head goose (lion head braised goose) — a signature you won’t find done this well elsewhere
• Oyster omelette & seafood — Shantou’s coastal bounty
• Gongfu tea culture — the ritual that defines Chaoshan hospitality
• Street food everywhere — beef offal noodles, rice rolls, sugar onion pancakes, almond tea

Top Experiences

Chaozhou Ancient City

Walk the arcade streets of the old town, cross the Guangji Bridge (one of China’s four ancient bridges), and explore the Paifang Street food scene.

Shantou Old Town

Little Park, the old European-style arcade district, and the city’s famous seafood markets.

Kung Fu Tea

Learn to brew gongfu tea with a local master — a 30-minute ritual that’s pure Chaoshan culture.

How to Visit

Chaoshan is a perfect add-on to a Guangdong itinerary: 2.5 hours from Guangzhou by high-speed rail, 4 days covers Chaozhou + Shantou well. See our Best Chaoshan Food Tour guide or the 5-day Chaoshan tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chaoshan worth visiting for a day trip?

A day is too short — you’ll barely scratch the food scene. Plan at least 2-3 days, ideally 4.

What food is Chaoshan famous for?

Hand-beaten beef hotpot, beef balls, lion-head goose, oyster omelettes, seafood, and gongfu tea.

How do I get from Guangzhou to Chaoshan?

By high-speed rail in about 2.5 hours from Guangzhou South or East stations, or a short flight to Jieyang Chaoshan Airport.

Is Chaoshan suitable for halal or dietary-special travelers?

Seafood-heavy cuisine is easy to adapt; halal arrangements are possible with advance notice — we regularly arrange them.

Do I need a guide in Chaoshan?

Highly recommended — the best eateries are hidden in alleys and many menus are Chinese-only. A local guide unlocks the real food scene.