1 Day Jieyang Ancient City Culture Tour

After breakfast, meet your guide and depart from your hotel or designated pickup point in Jieyang city center. Begin the day with a visit to Jieyang Ancient City, a nationally recognized historical and cultural city often called the “Lingnan Water City.” The old quarter preserves traditional streets, temples, academies, residences, and architectural details that reflect the long history and distinctive culture of the Chaoshan region.

Your first stop is Jinxian Gate, the only surviving ancient city gate in Jieyang. Built in 1621 during the Ming Dynasty, the gate has stood for more than 400 years and once served as an important entrance to the old city. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, watchmen stationed in the tower sounded a horn at dawn, creating the famous scene known as “Morning Horn from the Watchtower,” one of the traditional Eight Scenic Sights of Jieyang.

Continue to Jieyang Academy, also known as the Jieyang Confucius Temple. Once the highest educational institution for local scholars, the complex is admired for its red walls, glazed roof tiles, carved beams, painted decorations, and grand ceremonial halls. Walk through its peaceful courtyards and learn about Confucian education, local scholarly traditions, and the historical activities of Zhou Enlai connected with the site.

Next, visit Jieyang City God Temple, an outstanding example of traditional religious architecture in eastern Guangdong. The temple features a formal courtyard layout, sweeping rooflines, colorful ceramic ridge decorations, gilded woodcarvings, painted murals, and inscribed couplets promoting honesty, kindness, justice, and personal responsibility. The richly decorated halls provide a close look at the artistic craftsmanship of the Ming and Qing periods.

Proceed to Shuangfeng Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Jieyang. Together with Kaiyuan Temple in Chaozhou and Lingshan Temple in Chaoyang, it was historically regarded as one of the three great temples of the Chaozhou region. Surrounded by bamboo and mature trees, the temple offers a tranquil setting of red walls, traditional halls, carved wooden structures, Buddhist statues, and ancient bells. The sound of the evening bell was once celebrated as another of Jieyang’s traditional scenic sights.

Later, visit a traditional courtyard in Jieyang Ancient City with more than 500 years of history. Relax in the atmospheric residence while tasting authentic Chaoshan Gongfu Tea and learning about local tea-drinking customs. You will also take part in a hands-on experience making Hong Tao Guo, a traditional peach-shaped rice cake commonly prepared for festivals, ceremonies, and family celebrations.

The final major stop is the Former Residence of Ding Richang, the only surviving former home in China associated with the influential late-Qing official, scholar, and reformer. The residence is arranged in a traditional Chaoshan courtyard style and is famous for its so-called “ninety-nine and a half rooms.” Admire the red walls, grey-tiled roofs, gilded woodcarvings, ceramic decorations, rounded Western-style arches, and classical columns that create a distinctive blend of Chinese and Western architectural influences.

After completing the sightseeing program, return to your hotel or designated drop-off point in Jieyang city center, bringing the one-day cultural journey through Jieyang Ancient City to an end.