An international tourist hub with a historic port and a superb coastal location

One of three cities making up the traditional homeland of members of China’s celebrated Teochew diaspora, Shantou boasts a spectacular harbourside location and a wealth of marine resources that have made it one of China’s leading port cities and a top seaside hotspot. The area’s hilly coastal landscape, pristine islands, subtropical climate are reason enough for its appeal to domestic tourists. Added to that is its world-renowned traditional culture, centered on Teochew cuisine and opera and the region’s one-of-a-kind Gongfu tea (named for the painstaking process of making it), ensuring its enduring popularity with the many descendants of Teochew emigrants in foreign lands like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Top attractions include scenic Queshi and Nan Ao Islands with their caves, boulders, historical remnants and unsurpassed views, bridge- and pavilion-dotted Zhongshan Park, the sprawling, 500-room former residence of the prominent Chen Cihong family and the cracked granite natural landmark known as Lotus Peak.

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Cheap flights to Shantou

Things to do: Shantou

  • Kept at bay

    Qing Ao Bay to the east of Nan Ao Island is a huge, moon-shaped body of water lined with a soft-sand beach that stretches for more than 2km. Sheltered by casuarina trees and encircled by eye-catching pavilions, the bay is the site of resorts and leisure facilities (for sailboarding, boating and golfing among other activities) and the city’s only saltwater swimming pool.

  • Memory palace

    After making it big in Hong Kong and Thailand in the 19th century, homegrown tycoon Chen Ci Hong built many lavish homes for his family, the most palatial of which is in Chenghai City, about an hour from Shantou. Though weathered by time, Chen Ci Hong Mansion is still a sight to behold, home to a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, elegant furnishings, a labyrinth of staircases, corridors and overhead walkways, and such a vast number of rooms that Chen reputedly employed a servant to do nothing but open and close the house’s hundreds of windows.

  • No end in sight

    Just a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown Shantou, Queshi Scenic Area is embraced by the sea on three sides and manages to squeeze nearly four dozen evergreen-draped hilltops into its 20sqkm area. Check out the memorably named White Rabbit Cave, Dragon Spring Cave, Lion Cave and Elephant Cave before ascending the nearest hill for a bird's-eye view of Qing Hao Gulf and the area’s many other picturesque sights.

  • Run wild

    Accessible via a 40-minute ferry ride from nearby Chenghai Laiwu Port, Nan Ao Island is home to wildlife-rich Huanghua Mountain National Forest Park and Marine Migratory Birds Preservation Zone. Beyond that, visitors come from far and wide to marvel at the lovely mountain and coastal scenery, tour ancient temples, stretch out on the sand or just enjoy the cool sea breezes.

  • The Sun belt

    There’s no shortage of parks in China honouring the 'Father of the Nation', Dr Sun Yat-sen – Sun Zhongshan to the Chinese – and Shantou’s Zhongshan Park is one of many that does him proud. Check out the eye-catching bridges linking to the islands in Yujian Lake, descend into a cosy cave, visit a hilltop pavilion, explore the Shantou Museum, go for a boat ride and dine at the restaurant or tea house.

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Airport information

Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (SWA)

Distance to city centre 30km

Taxi The trip to Shantou takes around 40 minutes and should cost about CNY ¥60; make sure the driver uses the meter.

Bus Express buses depart hourly from the airport to Shantou city centre, Chaozhou, and Jieyang. The journey to Shantou takes around an hour, and costs about CNY ¥20.

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When to go

Shantou’s subtropical marine climate accounts for its abundant sunshine and the fact that temperatures average about 22°C. July and August are the hottest months while the winter months are relatively mild and dry. Be prepared for frequent rainfall from April to September.

The annual International Tourism and Culture Festival takes place in October or November, during which visitors can sample celebrated local dishes like steamed abalone, boiled white eel and stewed trepang (a marine invertebrate), and experience Teochew opera and dance. Culture in the form of folk dancing and martial arts also marks the annual Shantou Spring Festival in April.

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Getting around

City bus fares range from CNY ¥2-¥6 – make sure you carry change. Routes are posted at bus stops, which can be a little tough to locate. Taxis should charge CNY ¥10 for the first 2.6km and CNY ¥2.4 for each kilometre afterwards – but in reality you may have trouble finding a driver who will use their meter. Make sure you agree on a fare before you set off. Travelling by motorised trishaw is cheaper, though you'll also need to bargain with the driver.

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