Stand on the east bank of the Han River in the late afternoon and you will see Guangji Bridge in profile: a line of stone piers broken in the middle by a row of linked boats, with the old city wall rising behind it. This is the image most travellers carry home from Chaozhou, and it is only one stop in a compact historic centre that can be walked in a day.
Chaozhou suits travellers who are interested in architecture, tea and food rather than nightlife or resort comforts. The city is a cultural centre of the Chaoshan region, and its dialect, opera, ceramics, music and cuisine are all part of what there is to see. Gongfu tea, in particular, is a customary way to receive guests here, so expect to be offered at least one round if you visit a local family.
This guide covers the sights named in the source material, with practical notes on how to combine them, and ends with a one-day plan built only from those places.
Top things to do in Chaozhou
1. Guangji Bridge
Guangji Bridge was built in the Southern Song dynasty, and its distinguishing feature is that it is partly made of small boats. It spans the Han River outside the eastern gate of the ancient city, connecting the east and west sides, and it was rebuilt a few years ago. Crossing costs ¥20, while elders over 60 cross for free, one way.
Come in the late afternoon so you can see the bridge and then walk the old city wall on the same outing. Note that the bridge is also known as Kangji Bridge, Dinghou Bridge, Jichuan Bridge and Xiangzi Bridge, so signage may use any of these names.
2. Kaiyuan Temple
Kaiyuan Temple is a Buddhist centre that embodies the architectural art of several dynasties, including the Tang, Song, Yuan and Qing. It is over 200 years old and is home to the most influential Buddhism Study Institute in Southeast China. Inside, calligraphy and inscribed steles recall the temple's former role as the record keeper of the city.
It sits on Kaiyuan Road in Xiangqiao District, which makes it easy to pair with a walk through the old city lanes. Allow time to read the steles rather than simply passing through the halls.
3. Chaozhou Old City Wall
The old city wall runs for 2.6 km and forms the historic edge of the city. Walking it gives you a sense of the old layout and a raised view over the surrounding streets.
Combine the wall with Guangji Bridge, since the bridge lies outside the eastern gate. The wall is a good orientation walk early in your visit before you head into the lanes.
4. Jiadi Lane
Jiadi Lane is reached from the East Gate of Gucheng City and is listed with hours of 9pm-5pm. It sits in the historic core, close to the eastern gate and the river crossing.
Treat the lane as part of a slow walk through the old city rather than a single stop, and pair it with the old city wall and Guangji Bridge while you are in this corner of town.
5. Chaozhou Museum
Chaozhou Museum is the city's main museum, displaying valuable historical artifacts and artworks that give context to the region's history and culture. It stands at the intersection of Fu'an Road and Chaozhou Avenue in Xiangqiao District, on the south side of Chaozhou People's Square. It is free, opens 09:00-17:00 with no entry after 16:30, and is closed on Mondays. Bus routes 10, 110 and 604 serve it.
Because it is free and central, it works well as a wet-weather or arrival-day stop. Pair it with Chaozhou People's Square, which is immediately to the north.
6. Chaozhou People's Square
Chaozhou People's Square is the city's main public square, and it is the landmark that tells you when you have reached the museum district. It is a straightforward place to start or end a day of sightseeing.
Use it as a meeting point or a rest stop before or after Chaozhou Museum, which sits on its south side.
7. West Lake
West Lake is a park with a museum inside it, holding a unique collection of stones with natural geological markings that represent or resemble Chinese characters. The park also contains a small crumbling historical building that is a revolutionary site, and a large modern phoenix at the top of a hill, with an interesting old painting of ancient Chaozhou.
The stones and the old painting are the reasons to come rather than the lake alone, so set aside time for the museum building as well as the walk up the hill.
8. Yi Garden
Yi Garden is a museum and art gallery that tells the life story of Rao Zongyi, the artist and sinologist. It is on Dong Zhong Cheng Jiao, and admission is ¥10.
This is a focused stop rather than a large one, so pair it with the old city lanes nearby instead of making a separate trip.
9. Xu Imperial Son-in-law Mansion
Xu Imperial Son-in-law Mansion retains the basic pattern of Song dynasty architecture, which makes it worth the time if you are following the city's older buildings. It is on North Ma Road in Xiangqiao District.
It fits naturally into a walk that also takes in Jiluehuang Temple on Yian Road, since both are in the same district.
10. Jiluehuang Temple
Jiluehuang Temple displays the wood carving art of Chaozhou from the Qing dynasty. It is on Yian Road in Xiangqiao District.
Go for the carving rather than the scale of the building, and combine it with Xu Imperial Son-in-law Mansion on North Ma Road.
11. The old site of Song Kiln
The old site of Song Kiln, at Bijia Mountain in Xiangqiao, shows the scale of production and the exquisite craftsmanship of ceramics in ancient Chaozhou. Ceramics are one of the elements that define the city's culture, so this is the place to see that side of it.
It is a site rather than a museum, so read up on Chaozhou ceramics at Chaozhou Museum first if you want the context before you arrive.
12. The Lighthouse of Buddha
The Lighthouse of Buddha was used by sailors navigating the Han River. According to the story attached to it, a former emperor passed in his dragon boat while sleeping and was woken by the light from the lighthouse; he took it for a bodhisattva sending him light and gave the lighthouse its name.
It is closed for renovation as of July 2026, so check before making a special trip. If it reopens, it pairs with the riverside and the old city wall.
13. Taste Chaoshan cuisine
Chaozhou is known for Chaoshan cuisine, including Chaozhou beef hotpot, Chaozhou porridge and Chaozhou stewed dishes. The region is also known as the origin of bak kut teh, and its coastal geography has made it famous for seafood soups and for a porridge called mue.
Build at least one meal around the local specialities rather than eating generically, and try gongfu tea alongside it, since offering tea is the customary way to receive guests here.
14. Watch Chaozhou opera or hear Chaozhou music
Chaozhou opera is a traditional art form with a history of more than 500 years, built on local folk dances and ballads and shaped by Nanxi opera. Clowns and female characters are its most distinctive roles, and fan-playing and acrobatic skills are more prominent than in other performance types. Chaozhou music includes string music, gong and drum music and Teochew flute music, and at a local teahouse tea service is often accompanied by it.
If time allows, take part in traditional cultural activities such as watching a Chaozhou opera performance. A teahouse is the easiest place to hear the music without planning far ahead.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Chaozhou Museum when it opens, since entry stops after 16:30 and it is closed on Mondays. Walk across Chaozhou People's Square afterwards, then head into the old city for Kaiyuan Temple and the lanes around Jiadi Lane.
Afternoon: Walk the Chaozhou Old City Wall and cross Guangji Bridge, which costs ¥20 and is free one way for those over 60. If you have time left, add Xu Imperial Son-in-law Mansion and Jiluehuang Temple, both in Xiangqiao District.
Evening: Eat Chaoshan cuisine, choosing between Chaozhou beef hotpot, Chaozhou porridge or Chaozhou stewed dishes, and finish with gongfu tea. If a Chaozhou opera performance or Chaozhou music is on, that is the natural end to the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chaozhou Museum open, and is there a charge?
It is open 09:00-17:00, with no entry after 16:30, and it is closed on Mondays. Admission is free.
How much does it cost to cross Guangji Bridge?
Crossing costs ¥20. Elders older than 60 cross for free, one way.
Is the Lighthouse of Buddha open to visitors?
It is closed for renovation as of July 2026, so check before you go.
What food should I try in Chaozhou?
Look for Chaoshan cuisine: Chaozhou beef hotpot, Chaozhou porridge and Chaozhou stewed dishes. The region is known as the origin of bak kut teh, and its coastal setting has made it famous for seafood soups and for a porridge called mue.
Decide which of these fits your days, check the current status of anything under renovation, and start building your route through the old city.