By evening the streets around the old urban core of Meizhou fill with people heading out to eat, and the smell of Hakka cooking carries from the food stalls and small restaurants that line them. Later, groups drift toward tea houses and the riverside, where the pace stays unhurried.
Meizhou's nightlife is quiet and food-led rather than bar-led. It suits visitors who want to eat well, drink tea, and walk, rather than those looking for late-night clubs. The city is the heartland of Hakka culture, and its evenings reflect that: conversation, local dishes, and tea.
Where to go out in Meizhou
1. The old urban core (historic Jiaying city)
The historic seat of Jiaying Prefecture corresponds to today's old urban core of Meizhou, and the name Jiaying is still widely used in local institutions. This is the area to head for if you want an evening built around dinner and a walk rather than a venue.
It suits a slow night: eat, then wander. Note that the municipal government and other civic offices sit in the Jiangnan Subdistrict of Meijiang District, on the right bank of the Mei River, so the river is a useful orientation point for an evening stroll.
2. Meijiang District and the Mei River banks
Meijiang is one of the two urban districts that make up the city's built-up area, and the Mei River runs through it. An evening here is a riverside one — walking, eating, and taking in the city at a relaxed pace.
It suits anyone staying centrally, since the civic and commercial heart of the city is on this side of the river.
3. Tea houses
Meizhou Hakka tea is usually based on oolong tea or green tea, and tea is the local evening drink of choice. A tea house is where a Meizhou night often ends rather than begins.
It suits small groups and anyone who wants a long, talkative evening without alcohol. Pair it with something from the local drinks list if you like.
4. Hakka restaurants and food streets
Salt baked chicken is among the most well-known Hakka dishes and is found in many other cities too; another local dish is yong tau foo, or stuffed tofu. The story goes that when Hakka people first came south there was no wheat flour for dumplings, so they substituted tofu, and the meat-based fillings gave a taste that became a feature of Hakka cuisine.
This is the main event of a night out in Meizhou. Preserved beef and ginger candies are also locally popular, and during the period after August or September a sea of pomelos can be seen, especially in village orchards.
5. Local drinks and snacks
Beyond tea, look for Hakka plum soup, a refreshing beverage made primarily from locally produced plums, and beef offal rice cake soup — guo zhi, a paste made from rice slurry, paired with the internal organs of beef and seasoned with condiments.
These suit a grazing evening: a few stops, a few small things, rather than one long sit-down meal.
6. The Yannanfei Tea Garden
Many visitors come to the Yannanfei Tea Garden to climb the mountain. Because of its mountainous location, Meizhou has numerous natural scenic areas and good air quality.
This is a daytime rather than a night-time outing, but it fits naturally into a day that ends with dinner and tea back in the city. Plan it as the front half of your evening.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not give specific dinner hours or closing times for Meizhou. What they do show is that eating and drinking are the anchors of an evening: a meal of Hakka dishes, then tea or a local drink such as plum soup or beef offal rice cake soup. Because the city's draw is food, tea and scenery rather than a bar scene, expect an early, unhurried night rather than one that runs very late.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- National Day and the National Day Golden Week holiday — early October
- Double Ninth Festival — October
- Christmas Day — December
- New Year's Day — January
- Spring Festival Eve and Chinese New Year — February
Frequently asked questions
What do people drink in the evening in Meizhou?
Tea is the local staple: Meizhou Hakka tea is usually based on oolong tea or green tea. Hakka plum soup, made primarily from locally produced plums, is a refreshing alternative, and beef offal rice cake soup is a common snack drink pairing.
What food should I plan an evening around?
Salt baked chicken is the best-known Hakka dish, and yong tau foo — stuffed tofu — is another local specialty. Preserved beef and ginger candies are locally popular as well.
Is there a club or bar scene?
The sources describe tea, local drinks and food rather than bars or clubs. Plan an evening around eating and tea drinking instead.
When is a good time of year to visit?
Winters are short, mild and overcast, and summers long, very hot and humid, with the heaviest rain from April to June. Spring brings the plum blossom, and from after August or September the pomelo harvest fills the orchards.
Decide whether your evening is for eating, for tea, or for the river, and build the rest of the night around it.