Meizhou

Introduction

You can explore the diverse landscape of Meizhou, a prefecture-level city situated in eastern Guangdong province. The region encompasses several distinct areas, including the Meijiang and Meixian districts, Xingning City, and five surrounding counties.

Before you go

Prepare for your visit by understanding that Meizhou takes its name from both the Mei River and the Chinese word for plum blossom. You will find a landscape shaped by mountains, which provides the region with numerous natural scenic areas and clean air. If you are interested in local culture, you can experience Hakka folk music, which features songs about love, hometown pride, and the spirit of the Hakka people.

While most residents are trilingual in Hakka, Cantonese, and Mandarin, you should note that Hakka is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin. If your goal is to learn the language, the dialect spoken in Meixian is considered a prestige version of Hakka. In other areas, such as parts of Dabu and Fengshun counties, you may encounter Teochew.

Getting there

You can arrive in Meizhou by air via Meixian Airport, which handles domestic and some international flights. Alternatively, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport serves as a nearby option with more international connections to other Asian countries.

High-speed trains connect the city to several locations including Guangzhou, Shantou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Yichang, and Zhuhai. If you prefer traveling by road, buses are available from Shenzhen, though navigating to the correct station can be difficult; however, you can find transport at Zhao Por Lu. For those traveling from Hong Kong, a long-distance bus travels through the border crossing in Shenzhen. While this route takes several hours due to border crossings, rail travel is an alternative that offers more comfort than the back rows of the bus.

Getting around

You can navigate Meizhou using several modes of transport, including private cars with drivers for travel within the city and surrounding areas. For a more adventurous experience, you might find private motorcycles available for hire on street corners. Taxis are also an option for your travels.

Three-wheeled bicycles are available for hire to cover short distances, though you should establish a price beforehand as drivers may attempt to increase the cost. Be prepared for challenging road conditions, as traffic in Meizhou is reckless and unpredictable; vehicles often drive on sidewalks, against the flow of traffic, and weave among bicycles.

Where to stay

You can choose between different styles of accommodation depending on your preference for social atmosphere or private comfort. In the Meijiang District, you can find a youth hostel located in the Jiangbei neighborhood.

For a more traditional hotel experience, options are available in the Meixian District.

Food & drink

Savor the traditional flavors of Hakka cuisine, where you can sample iconic dishes like salt baked chicken or pickled mustard greens with pork. You might also enjoy stuffed tofu, a local staple created when early settlers used tofu as a substitute for wheat flour to create unique textures and flavors. For those seeking variety, try fugien, which are tofu skin rolls filled with meat, or find comfort in bowls of white rice served with various side dishes. If you prefer noodles, look for yammien—a bowl of noodles accompanied by goji leaf and pork soup—or opt for a hearty beef offal rice cake soup featuring a seasoned rice slurry.

Refresh your palate with local beverages such as Hakka Plum Soup, made from locally produced plums. You can also experience the regional tea culture by trying Meizhou Hakka Tea, which is typically based on green or oolong varieties.

What to see and do

Explore the cultural heritage of the region by visiting the Hakka Museum of China and the nearby Hakka Land to immerse yourself in local traditions. You can also visit the Meizhou Confucian Temple or explore the historical artifacts housed within the Meixian District Museum. For a spiritual experience, visit the Lingguang Temple or travel to the summit of Lianhua Hill to see the Temple of the Thousand Buddha Pagoda.

Experience the natural beauty of the area by visiting the Yannanfei Tea Garden or witnessing the roaring Longguizhai Waterfall in the rural countryside. You can also tour the grounds of Jiaying University.

When to go

You can experience Meizhou's humid subtropical climate across different seasons, each offering distinct conditions for your visit. If you prefer avoiding intense heat, the short and mild winter provides comfortable conditions under overcast skies. While rare cold snaps can occur, it remains a manageable time to explore the region.

During the other months, you should prepare for more demanding conditions:

• Spring brings heavy and frequent rains, where the mountainous terrain creates a risk of flooding that may disrupt your outdoor activities.
• Summer is characterized by long periods of intense heat and humidity, with the local topography still posing potential flooding concerns despite being inland.

Three days in Meizhou

Day one, you arrive in Meizhou and settle into the local atmosphere. You can explore the Meijiang District or the Meixian District to begin your journey through this region of Guangdong.

Day two, you travel toward Xingning City. While exploring these areas, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and experience the unique character of the surrounding landscape.

Day three, you spend your final day in Meizhou. You can take time to savor the local flavors before preparing for your departure from the region.