A Fall Trip: Detailed Two-Day One-Night Itinerary in Chaozhou

With the crisp autumn air, it's the best season for travel. Recently, I took the high-speed train with my child to Chaozhou, which was very convenient. Chaozhou Ancient City is a historic and cultural site in China, with over 2,000 years of history. ✅Day 1 ☘️Morning: Depart from Dongguan Humen Railway Station, about a 2-hour trip to Chaoshan Station, then take a Didi ride to the hotel. The hotel was booked in advance near Ximalu in the ancient city, convenient for sightseeing. ☘️Afternoon: 🌳First stop—Paifang Street. The distinctive architecture of Paifang Street is the fusion-style arcade buildings, a unique cultural landscape in the country, mainly featuring memorial archways honoring outstanding achievers throughout history. The popular photo spots are the Zhuangyuan Arch and the Bangyan Arch, one in the south and one in the north, near the big Chaozhou characters (can be navigated as Chuan Tea Shop). 🌳Second stop—Kaiyuan Temple. Known as the oldest temple in eastern Guangdong, Kaiyuan Temple was built in the 26th year of the Tang Kaiyuan era (738 AD). It is a nationally protected cultural relic. The famous spot "Yuan Lai Kaiyuan" is located on the left side of the temple gate, enter through that door and walk to the end. ☘️Evening: Stroll along the northern section of Yi’an Road, where there are many unique local delicacies. ✅Day 2 ☘️Morning: 🌳First stop: Guangji Tower. Built in the third year of the Ming Hongwu era (1370), admission is 10 yuan (9:00-17:30, last entry at 17:00). Open Monday to Friday 10:00-17:30, weekends and holidays 9:00-17:30. 🌳Second stop: Guangji Bridge. One of China’s four great ancient bridges and one of the four famous bridges, it is also one of the Eight Views of Chaozhou and a historical landmark of Chaozhou culture. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-17:30, weekends and holidays 9:00-17:30. Crossing fee is 20 yuan, children’s tickets 10 yuan (children’s tickets must be purchased on site). There is a light show at 20:00, and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, an additional show at 21:30, each lasting ten minutes. 🌳Third stop: Han Gongwen Ci. After crossing Guangji Bridge over the Han River, not far ahead is Han Gongwen Ci. The Han Wengong Shrine was first built in the second year of the Northern Song Xianping era (999 AD) and is the earliest existing shrine in China commemorating the Tang dynasty writer Han Yu. (8:00-17:00, closed on Mondays). It is a nationally protected cultural relic. ☘️Afternoon: Take a Didi back to the hotel, pack up, then take a Didi to Chaoshan Station for the return trip. ✅No trip to Chaozhou is complete without tasting the local cuisine. Recommended foods include: Chaozhen Old Tail Beef Offal (Huancheng West Road branch), Chen Gensheng’s Chaozhou Fish Sashimi and Traditional Claypot Congee, Liu Bu Braised Goose, Shibaqiu Fish Maw (a century-old shop with four generations of heritage), Quan Ji Pastries, and Master Ruan’s Hui Ji Meatballs. ✍🏻Tips: 1. Paifang Street and Kaiyuan Temple are crowded on weekends. For better photos, visit early in the morning around 7 or 8 AM when there are fewer people. 2. It’s recommended to buy souvenirs at local markets outside the tourist areas. 3. If traveling with children, you can rent a stroller at a shop on the northern section of Yi’an Road, which makes things much easier.