Shantou

Shantou (汕头), also known as Swatow, is a coastal city in eastern Guangdong Province and an important center of Chaoshan culture (潮汕文化). As one of China’s historic treaty ports and one of the earliest Special Economic Zones, Shantou combines maritime history, overseas Chinese heritage, coastal scenery, traditional neighborhoods, and world-famous Teochew cuisine.

• Historic Port City & Old Town: Shantou played an important role in China’s 19th-century maritime trade. The Shantou Old Town (汕头老城) preserves many historical buildings, including European-style arcades, former trading houses, temples, and streets that reflect the city’s unique blend of Chinese and Western influences.
• Nan’ao Island Coastal Scenery: Nan’ao Island (南澳岛) is one of Shantou’s most popular attractions, featuring beautiful beaches, clear waters, fishing villages, wind farms, and coastal viewpoints. Visitors can enjoy cycling around the island, seafood dining, island hiking, and relaxing seaside experiences.
• Chaoshan Culture Experience: Shantou is a major destination for discovering Chaoshan traditions, including Teochew opera, Gongfu Tea culture, traditional handicrafts, ancestral halls, and local festivals. The city’s strong overseas Chinese connections have also created a unique cultural atmosphere.
• Teochew Food Capital: Shantou is one of the best places to experience Teochew cuisine (潮州菜), famous for fresh ingredients, delicate flavors, and refined cooking techniques. Popular local specialties include Teochew beef hot pot, marinated seafood, oyster omelet, rice noodles, fish balls, Chaoshan snacks, and Gongfu Tea.
• Beaches & Natural Landscapes: Besides Nan’ao Island, Shantou offers coastal parks, bays, and scenic areas ideal for photography and relaxation. The combination of mountains, sea, and fishing communities creates a charming southern coastal atmosphere.
• Overseas Chinese Heritage: As a major hometown of overseas Chinese, Shantou has strong connections with communities around Southeast Asia and beyond. Visitors can explore traditional family residences, historic commercial streets, and cultural sites that reflect migration and trade history.
• Modern City & Local Life: Shantou combines traditional neighborhoods with modern urban development, shopping areas, universities, and creative spaces. It is a great place to experience everyday life in eastern Guangdong beyond the major tourist cities.