Chaozhou (潮州) is a historic city in eastern Guangdong Province, famous for its Chaozhou Ancient City (潮州古城), traditional culture, Chaozhou cuisine, tea culture, handicrafts, and mountain-coastal landscapes.
The city consists of two districts and one county: Xiangqiao District (湘桥区), Chao’an District (潮安区), and Raoping County (饶平县). The three areas have different tourism characteristics, forming a complete travel system combining ancient city culture, tea mountains, traditional villages, coastal scenery, and Hakka heritage.
| Area |
Tourism Position |
Main Features |
| Xiangqiao District (湘桥区) |
Historic and cultural center |
Ancient city, bridges, temples, traditional streets, Chaozhou culture |
| Chao’an District (潮安区) |
Tea, villages and industrial tourism area |
Phoenix Mountain tea gardens, ancient villages, ceramics, rural tourism |
| Raoping County (饶平县) |
Mountain and coastal tourism area |
Islands, beaches, Hakka earth buildings, geological landscapes |
Xiangqiao District (湘桥区): The Historic Heart of Chaozhou
Xiangqiao District is the cultural and tourism center of Chaozhou. It is home to Chaozhou Ancient City (潮州古城), where visitors can experience the city’s thousand-year history, traditional architecture, local food, and intangible cultural heritage.
The main attractions include Guangji Bridge (广济桥), Guangji Tower (广济楼), Archway Street (牌坊街), Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺), Xu Fuma Mansion (许驸马府), Han Yu Memorial Temple (韩文公祠), and historic neighborhoods with traditional Chaozhou houses.
The district is ideal for history tours, cultural study tours, food experiences, and slow-paced city walks. Visitors can explore ancient streets, enjoy Chaozhou Gongfu Tea (潮州工夫茶), taste local cuisine, and experience traditional crafts.
Chao’an District (潮安区): Tea Mountains, Ancient Villages and Ceramic Culture
Chao’an District combines natural landscapes, traditional villages, tea culture, and modern industries. It is one of the best areas for experiencing the rural side of Chaozhou.
The most famous destination is Phoenix Mountain (凤凰山), the birthplace of Phoenix Dancong Tea (凤凰单丛茶). Visitors can explore tea plantations, enjoy mountain scenery, visit tea villages, and experience tea picking and tea-making activities.
Other highlights include Longhu Ancient Village (龙湖古寨), a traditional village with historic architecture and ancestral halls, as well as ceramic cultural experiences in Fengxi Town (枫溪镇), known as the core area of Chaozhou ceramics.
Chao’an is suitable for tea tourism, village photography, family trips, cultural research, and countryside experiences.
Raoping County (饶平县): Coastal Scenery, Hakka Culture and Mountain Landscapes
Raoping County is the largest administrative area in Chaozhou and features diverse landscapes including mountains, coastline, islands, and traditional villages.
The county is famous for Daoyun Building (道韵楼), a large Hakka earth building representing local Hakka architecture and history. Coastal destinations such as Xunzhou Island (汛洲岛), Haishan Island (海山岛), and Zhelin Bay (柘林湾) offer beaches, fishing villages, seafood experiences, and island scenery.
Nature lovers can visit Qinglan National Geological Park (青岚国家地质公园), Lvdao Mountain Resort (绿岛山庄), and Tangxi Reservoir (汤溪水库) for landscapes, hiking, and outdoor activities.
Raoping is ideal for coastal holidays, Hakka culture tours, geological exploration, and self-driving trips.
Chaozhou Administrative Division Summary
| Administrative Area |
Government Seat |
Main Tourism Resources |
| Xiangqiao District (湘桥区) |
Fengxin Subdistrict (凤新街道) |
Chaozhou Ancient City, Guangji Bridge, Archway Street, temples, traditional culture |
| Chao’an District (潮安区) |
Anbu Town (庵埠镇) |
Phoenix Mountain tea gardens, Longhu Ancient Village, ceramics, rural tourism |
| Raoping County (饶平县) |
Huanggang Town (黄冈镇) |
Islands, beaches, Daoyun Building, Hakka culture, geological landscapes |
Recommended Chaozhou Travel Routes
Ancient City Cultural Route
Chaozhou Ancient City (潮州古城) → Guangji Bridge (广济桥) → Archway Street (牌坊街) → Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺) → Han Yu Memorial Temple (韩文公祠)
This route is perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience Chaozhou history, architecture, food, and traditional culture.
Tea and Village Experience Route
Phoenix Mountain (凤凰山) → Phoenix Dancong Tea Gardens (凤凰单丛茶园) → Longhu Ancient Village (龙湖古寨)
This route combines tea culture, mountain scenery, traditional villages, and rural life.
Mountain and Coastal Discovery Route
Daoyun Building (道韵楼) → Raoping Coast → Xunzhou Island (汛洲岛) → Coastal Villages
This route is suitable for travelers who enjoy nature, photography, seafood, and cultural exploration.
Chaozhou Tourism Features
With its combination of ancient city heritage, tea culture, traditional villages, coastal scenery, Hakka culture, and local cuisine, Chaozhou offers diverse travel experiences throughout the year.
- Cultural travelers can explore ancient buildings, temples, and intangible cultural heritage.
- Food travelers can discover authentic Chaozhou cuisine and Gongfu tea culture.
- Study groups can experience traditional crafts, tea production, ceramics, and local history.
- Outdoor travelers can enjoy mountain hiking, islands, beaches, and countryside landscapes.
Through the combination of Chaozhou history, culture, nature, and gastronomy, Yaso Trip provides customized Chaozhou tours for international travelers, families, students, and cultural exploration groups.