潮州市

Why this place

Chaozhou is one of the most intact old cities in southern China — a walled town with arcaded streets, an enormous Ming temple, a bridge of boats across the river and an archway street that runs for two kilometres. It is the cultural centre of the Chaoshan region.

What to see

• The Guangji Bridge — a stone bridge with a section of linked boats, opened and closed daily
• Kaiyuan Temple and the streets of the old town, with its Ming and Qing memorial archways
• The Han Wen Gong Temple on the hillside, and the old city wall
• Chaozhou woodcarving and embroidery workshops, which are still working trades

What to eat

• Chaoshan cuisine — braised goose, oyster omelette and beef balls
• Chaozhou teahouse culture: gongfu tea in tiny cups, as a ritual
• The local 'chaozhou' rice noodles and the fermented fish sauces

Best time

October–December and March–April

Practical tips

• Chaozhou and Shantou are an hour apart — do both, and eat in both