Plan a Trip to Shantou and Chaozhou from Singapore: The Ultimate Guide

Written by Natalia | Updated January 13,2026

Chaoshan is a region in Southern China, in the east of Guangdong Province. It has become increasingly popular among travelers in recent years. Its ancient and unique local culture holds a special place in Chinese society. Teochew cuisine is well-known across the country thanks to the region’s location.

Historically, many Teochew people emigrated out of Chaoshan region to countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, carrying the culture with them. Today, many travelers of Teochew origin go on root-tracing tours to this part of Guangdong to learn about the origin of their culture.

Chaozhou and Shantou are two major cities of the region and most popular destinations. This article is your ultimate guide for planning a trip to Shantou and Chaozhou from Singapore, especially made for Singaporeans going on a root-tracing journey. Here are the top attractions, visa policies, transportation, local cuisine guide, itineraries, and more.

Why Visit Chaozhou and Shantou Together?

Chaozhou and Shantou (Swatow) form the core of Chaoshan region. They have the most concentrated and authentic regional culture for Teochew ancestral root-tracing tours from Singapore. The exquisite dishes are exciting and unique. Trace your heritage walking through the ancient towns. Gongfu Tea ceremonies will leave you impressed. Watching a Teochew opera performance is another great cultural activity when you travel to Chaozhou and   Shantou.

The two cities are only about an hour away by car. You can easily include both in your tour. You can experience the history and traditions of Chaozhou first. Then head to the more coastal Shantou and explore a more urban lifestyle with markets and island excursions.

What to Do in Chaozhou and Shantou?

Top Attractions in Chaozhou

• Guangji Bridge: It is one of the four great ancient bridges of China built in 1171, a famous landmark of Chaozhou. The bridge features its unique designwhich combines stone piers, pavilions, and a section of floating bridge formed by a line of 18 boats. The boats are still removed around sunset every day to let through river traffic.
• Kaiyuan Temple: It is an important temple of the region,embodying local Buddhist history. Built over 1,200 years ago, its architectural style is representative of Tang Dynasty. The beauty in its overall design, details, woodwork, and carvings is its major appeal.
• Paifang Street: It is also called the Memorial Archway (Paifang) Street. The busy street has a line of memorial arches over itwhich are built during Ming and Qing dynasties. They give a historical sense to the street with traditional shops and food stalls.
• Han Wen Gong Temple: It is a shrine dedicated to the famous Tang dynasty official, thinker, and writer- Han Yu. You can see traditional Chinese architecture, and walk around classical gardens, pavilion, rockeries, and ancient trees.
• Chaozhou Ancient City Wall: Chaozhou is an ancient city with a history of more than 2,000 years. You can still see parts of the city’s former fortification around the area.

Top Attractions in Shantou

• Nan’ao Island: Nan’ao is a county with 23 islands off the coast of Shantou. There are beautiful beaches, nature trails, and coastline sceneries. It’s one of the best Shantou scenic spots for a beach day trip.
• Small Park: Small Park of Shantou or Xiaogongyuan is a famous cultural spot for sightseeing and taking photos. There are many historic structures from the older days that look just like part of a movie set.
• Queshi Scenic Area: Queshi is an island off Shantou city. There are hills and cultural sites that provide a great change of scenery from the city. It’s a great place to take a hike and look over the entire city.
• Chen Cihong’s Former Residence: This impressive residential complex belonged to a wealthy overseas Chinese merchant in the 19^th The architecture design exhibits both Teochew and Western elements.

  

  

Related reading: Top Things to Do in Chaozhou and Shantou

Visa Requirements for Singaporeans Traveling to China in 2026

Passport holders from Singapore are eligible for traveling to China without a visa for a maximum of 30 days for tourism, business, and visiting. If you wish to stay beyond the 30-day period, you will need to apply for a Chinese visa. However, 30 days is usually enough for a a trip to Shantou, Chaozhou, and China Tours to other cities and regions.

Singapore to Shantou & Chaozhou: Flight Guide 2026

The main airport of Chaoshan region is Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (SWA) in the city of Jieyang. There are direct flights to and from Singapore for only about 4 hours .

The airport is about 20 km to Chaozhou (about a 40-min drive) and 40 km to Shantou (about an-hour drive). You can take airport shuttle buses to both cities and downtown Jieyang. Shuttles operate about every hour, and here are the lines and stops in detail:

• Airport East Route to Shantou (around 80 minutes): Subsidiary Foodstuff Market (CNY 20) – City Terminal (CNY 28) – Golden Gulf Hotel (CNY 28)
• Airport West Route to Shantou(around 80 minutes): Shantou University (CNY 20) – CTS Overseas Chinese Building (CNY 28)
• Airport Route to Chaozhou(around 60 minutes): Chaoshan High-Speed Railway Station (CNY 10) – Chihu Bus Stop (CNY 20) – Jinxin Hotel (CNY 20)

If you arrive outside of the service hours of the shuttle service, like early morning or late night, you can also take a taxi to your destination at around CNY 120.

Best Time to Visit Chaozhou and Shantou

The best time to visit Chaozhou and Shantou are from March to May and September to November. These are the seasons with the best weather conditions for outdoor exploration. The region has hot and humid summers and mild winters. Abundant rainfall is concentrated in the warmer months from April to August.

Transportation between Chaozhou and Shantou

Chaozhou and Shantou are about an hour away by car. Here are two most common ways to travel between them:

• The Cheapest – By Coach: Head to the city terminal for buses and coaches, and you will find services to the other city for only about CNY 30.
• Most Comfort and Convenience – By Taxi: an hour drive for about CNY 120

How to Get Around Chaozhou and Shantou?

Here are the major ways of getting around within Chaozhou and Shantou.

• Taxis and ride-hailing services: This is the most common and convenient way of navigating for foreign visitors. Although it is more expensive.Use ride-hailing apps like DiDi for rides on demand.
• Bike rental services: Chaozhou and Shantou are not huge cities. Mostplaces you want to go might are relatively close to each other. If it’s a fine day, you can consider using the public bike sharing service.
• City buses: The city bus service is cheap and can take you to the busy spots in Chaozhou and Shantou. However, service won’t be in English. You will need some basic knowledge of Chinese, some essential phrases or know your way around to be able to use it without trouble.

Where to Stay in Chaozhou and Shantou?

Best Areas to Stay in Chaozhou

There are two popular areas to stay in in Chaozhou. Staying within the Chaozhou Ancient City, which is the Paifang Street and Guangji Bridge area, will place you close to these historic attractions. There are lots of options such as Vienna Hotel Chaozhou Ancient City West Lake, Crowne Plaza Chaozhou Riverside, and Orange Hotel.

You can also stay near the People’s Square which is nearby lots of local shops and restaurants. You’ll be closer to the action of local life. Some options are Atour Hotel and Jiangnan House Chaozhou.

Best Areas to Stay in Shantou

On your Shantou tour, you can stay near the Small Park to be close to the attractions. You can look into Shantou Zhugang Days Wyndham Hotel, Ibis Hotel Shantou Xiaogongyuan, and Ji Hotel Shantou Huanghe Lu. Another popular choice is to stay close to Wanxiangcheng mall. You’ll have many dining and entertainment options.

What to Eat in Chaozhou and Shantou?

Chaoshan is a popular destination for China food tours. Teochew cuisine is famous across the country. It is a branch of Cantonese food that puts emphasis on fresh ingredients. Dishes are made to highlight their original flavors with simple but delicate handling. Here are some signature dishes to try on a Teochew food tour.

• Chaoshan beef hotpot:Different from Sichuan hotpot, Chaoshan hotpot barely seasons its broth. It’s all about the high quality, fresh beef. Different parts of the cow are sliced with great care or hand made into meatballs. The meat is never refrigerated, always butchered on the same day of serving.
• Oyster omelet: This is quite a straightforward dish made with fresh oysters and some greens fried into an omelet. It’s got a chewy, crispy texture and a savory taste. It is topped with a sweet and tangy chili sauce.
• Marinated raw seafoods: This might be the most famous part of Teochew cuisine. It is a way of preparing seafood that is very unique. It takes the freshest seafoods including prawns, crabs, and fish, marinates them in soy sauce, cooking wine, garlic, chili, and other condiments. They are then served raw and chilledwith They are very flavorful and different from what you might be used to. It’s definitely worth a try.
• Chaoshan braised goose: Goose is a beloved ingredient in Cantonese cuisine, and the braised goose is the specialty of Chaoshan. The goose is slowly braised in a stock seasoned with all kinds of spices. The meat comes out with a savory-sweet taste.

What Souvenirs to Buy in Chaozhou and Shantou?

Local snacks are the most popular souvenirs to buy in Chaozhou and Shantou. Being near the coast, there are lots of dried seafood products. They are good for snacks or cooking. Beef products are also common like hand-made meatballs or beef jerky. There are all kinds of pastries including soft cakes and nougats. The local tea is good which you can bring home and brew for yourself.

Other than foods, you can also buy Gongfu tea sets. They are beautiful and delicate to display in your house. Or you can use it for brewing at home. Other popular handicrafts of the region include wood carvings, silk products, and calligraphy. To find the best souvenirs, your best bet is local specialty shops inside markets. Make sure you compare prices before buying. >> See tips on how to bargaining and shopping in China.

How Many Days Do You Need in Chaozhou and Shantou?

We usually recommend 3-4 days for a Chaozhou and Shantou tour. 1-2 days in each city is enough to cover the highlights and get an idea of the local lifestyle. With more time, we highly recommend extending your tour to nearby areas such as Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Xiamen. You’ll be able to see more of China beyond just the Chaoshan region. Here are some Chaozhou and Shantou itineraries for your reference.

3-Day Chaozhou & Shantou Itinerary

Day 1: Chaozhou arrival – Gongfu Tea Ceremony – Chaozhou Opera – Memorial Archway Street

Day 2: Chaozhou Ancient Town – Guangji Bridge – Kaiyuan Temple – Xu Mansion Hall – Chaozhou Masters Park

Day 3: Drive to Shantou – Shantou Old Town – Small Park – Tianhou Palace – Ferry Ride from People’s Square

Read more about this itinerary

3 DAYS

Chaozhou and Shantou Food & Cultural Tour

Explore This Tour

5-6 Days Xiamen-Chaozhou-Shantou Itinerary

Xiamen is a beautiful coastal city in the Fujian Province next to Guangdong. Although it is located pretty close to Chaozhou and Shantou, it has pretty different sceneries and culture. It’ll take you less than two hours to go from Xiamen to Shantou by high-speed train. We highly recommended including a Xiamen tour into your trip to Chaozhou and Shantou.

Day 1: Xiamen arrival – Gulangyu Island

Day 2: Hongkeng Tulou Complex

Day 3: High-speed train to Shantou – Shantou Old Town – Small Park – Tianhou Palace

Day 4: Nan’ao Island day tour

Day 5: Drive to Chaozhou – Chaozhou Ancient Town – Guangji Bridge – Kaiyuan Temple

Day 6: Memorial Archway Street – Gongfu Tea Ceremony – Chaozhou Opera

Chaozhou or Shantou: Which One to Prioritize?

If you have limited time and have to prioritize one of the two cities, here are some factors to consider. Shantou is the more urban one of the two. It’s the one on the coast with islands and beaches nearby. You’ll get great coastal holiday vibes and fresh seafoods. Transportation and shopping will be more convenient.

Chaozhou is the more traditional city. It’s better for exploring Teochew history and customs. This is where to go to see historic structures, experience a Kung Fu Tea ceremony, and watch a Teochew opera.

Travel Tips for Singaporeans Visiting Shantou and Chaozhou

• Payment methods in China: The most popular method of payment in China right now is electronic payment. You can download and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay beforehand. Link your credit card to your account. You’ll be able to pay effortlessly by simply scanning a QR code.
• Food safety: There’s lots of seafood in Shantou and Chaozhou and many served raw. If you have allergies, make sure you inform the restaurant. Some dishes may contain seafood ingredients not displayed on the menu. Find reputable restaurants with good reviews for raw seafoods. They need to be very fresh in order to be served safely. And if you’re not used to raw seafoods, try a little to begin with.
• Cultural etiquette: When you visit temples, dress modestly to show respect for local culture and religion.

Plan Your Chaozhou & Shantou Trip with China Xian Tour

If you feel challenging to plan your trip to Chaozhou and Shantou, please feel free to contact China Xian Tour. Let us know your vision for the trip and we can customize the ideal itinerary for you. You will be traveling with our professional local guide and private transfer services. Make your trip easy, fulfilling, and fun.