Chaoshan and Hakka Heritage Tour

Today you will arrive in Chaozhou by high-speed train station. On arrival, your private guide will be ready to welcome you at the arrival hall, and transfer to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in, and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

Delve into the rich cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Chaozhou Ancient City, one of China's most well-preserved historical towns. You will begin at the iconic Guangji Bridge, a remarkable ancient pontoon bridge spanning the Han River that has stood for over 800 years, featuring a unique retractable middle section and elegant pavilions. Stroll along Paifang Street, the bustling heart of old Chaozhou lined with traditional archways, where you will hunt for authentic Teochew delicacies including savoury Teochew spring rolls, succulent braised goose and sweet duck mother dumplings (food at your own expense). Explore the magnificent Guangji Gate Tower, an impressive Ming Dynasty fortification offering panoramic city views, then visit Kaiyuan Temple, a Tang Dynasty Buddhist sanctuary renowned for its exquisite architecture and peaceful courtyards. Pay respects at Han Wen Gong Temple, dedicated to the famous Tang poet Han Yu. Experience authentic local culture at Zaiyang Teahouse, where you will savour traditional Gongfu tea whilst watching a captivating Chaozhou opera performance. As evening falls, witness the spectacular Han River Light Show, illuminating the ancient bridge and waterfront in a dazzling display.

Journey through the historical heart of eastern Guangdong, exploring three distinctive cities rich in Teochew culture and heritage. Drive approximately 1 hour to Jieyang, where you will visit Jieyang Tower Square, a grand landmark showcasing traditional Lingnan architecture and offering sweeping views of the ancient city. Walk through Jinxian Gate, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty city gate that once protected the prosperous trading town. Explore the atmospheric City God Temple, where locals pray for protection and prosperity, then visit the elegant Confucius Temple (also known as the Academy), a serene complex dedicated to Confucian learning and scholarly tradition. Continue with a 1.5-hour drive to Shantou, a historic port city that flourished during the treaty port era. Wander through Shantou Old Town, where colonial-era arcade buildings blend Chinese and Western architectural styles along charming streets. Discover Xiaogongyuan (Small Park), the iconic octagonal pavilion at the heart of the old commercial district surrounded by radial streets lined with heritage shophouses. Visit Tianhou Temple (Laoma Temple), an ancient seaside shrine dedicated to the goddess of the sea, reflecting Shantou's maritime heritage. Admire the grand Post Office Building, a stunning example of 1920s colonial architecture, then explore the Opening Port Culture Exhibition Hall, which chronicles Shantou's transformation into one of China's earliest treaty ports and its pivotal role in overseas Chinese emigration.

Escape to the pristine beauty of Nan'ao Island, Guangdong's only island county, located approximately 1 hour's drive from Shantou. You will cross the impressive Nan'ao Bridge, an 11-kilometre sea-crossing marvel connecting the mainland to this tropical paradise. Visit the historic Changshangwei Lighthouse, perched dramatically on coastal cliffs where you can enjoy panoramic ocean views and photograph the iconic white tower against azure waters. Drive along the scenic coastal ring road, winding through picturesque fishing villages, rocky headlands and sweeping seascapes. Relax at Qing'ao Bay, the island's most popular beach featuring a crescent of golden sand, clear shallow waters ideal for swimming and a backdrop of lush green hills. Stop at Tropic of Cancer Square, home to the striking Natural Gate sculpture marking the Earth's northern tropical boundary, a unique geographical landmark. Admire views of the Rainbow Sea, where colourful fishing boats dot the harbour, and spot the towering wind turbines that have become an iconic symbol of the island's sustainable energy. Return to Shantou to explore Shipao Tai Park, a historic coastal fortress built in the late Qing Dynasty featuring well-preserved cannons and fortifications. Conclude your day at Longbei Food Street, a bustling night market where you can sample authentic Teochew street food and local delicacies.

Journey from Shantou into the heartland of Hakka culture with a 2.5-hour drive to Meizhou, known as the world capital of the Hakka people. Begin at the China Hakka Museum, the nation's first comprehensive museum dedicated to Hakka heritage, where you will discover the fascinating history, migrations and cultural traditions of this unique Chinese ethnic group through extensive exhibits and artefacts. Continue to the Meizhou Overseas Chinese Museum, which chronicles the remarkable stories of Hakka emigrants who ventured across Southeast Asia and beyond, contributing significantly to global Chinese diaspora communities. Stroll along Lingfeng Road, a charming historic street lined with arcade buildings that beautifully blend Chinese and Nanyang (Southeast Asian) architectural styles, reflecting Meizhou's connection with overseas Hakka communities. Visit Renhou Wen Ancestral Hall, an exquisitely preserved clan temple showcasing intricate wood carvings, traditional rituals and ancestral worship practices central to Hakka culture. Explore the magnificent Weilongwu, spanning an impressive 23,000 square metres as the largest and oldest Hakka roundhouse in existence. This architectural masterpiece features a distinctive semicircular design with multiple concentric rings of rooms surrounding a central courtyard, demonstrating the Hakka people's ingenuity in creating fortified communal living spaces that fostered strong family bonds and collective defence.

Discover the extraordinary architectural wonders of Hakka culture with a 1.5-hour drive to Yongding District in Longyan City, home to some of China's most impressive earthen buildings. You will explore the magnificent Gaobei Tulou Cluster, featuring the renowned "King of Tulou", a massive circular earthen fortress that exemplifies the pinnacle of Hakka communal architecture with its towering walls, intricate wooden structures and ingenious defensive design. This cluster also served as a filming location for the acclaimed animated film "Big Fish & Begonia", where the mystical tulou landscapes inspired the movie's enchanting visual world. Visit Lee Kuan Yew's Ancestral Home, Zhonghan Di, a well-preserved traditional Hakka residence where Singapore's founding father's ancestors once lived, offering fascinating insights into the family's roots and the Hakka diaspora's influence on Southeast Asian history. Stroll along Jiangbei Old Street, a charming historic thoroughfare lined with traditional shophouses, local eateries and craft shops, where you can experience authentic Hakka daily life and sample regional delicacies. These UNESCO World Heritage earthen buildings showcase the Hakka people's remarkable engineering skills and communal living traditions that have endured for centuries.

Enjoy your free time until your guide comes and escort you to the high-speed train station.