Paifang Street

Paifang, the treasure of Chinese architectural culture, is not only a monument erected in feudal society to commend meritorious service, scholarly achievements, virtuous governance, and loyalty and filial piety, but also a witness to history and a carrier of cultural heritage. Among the numerous paifangs, the Paifang Street of Chaozhou is undoubtedly a unique and eye-catching presence. Here, between two streets, there stands a majestic paifang every 50 or 100 meters, as if telling the stories and history of the ancient city. The characteristic architecture of Paifang Street—the arcade buildings—ingeniously blends Chinese and Western cultures. The 22 Chinese-style Ming and Qing stone paifangs and the Nanyang-style arcade buildings on both sides complement each other, forming a series of unique landscape paintings. These arcade buildings not only reflect the introduction of Nanyang architectural styles in the late Ming and early Qing periods but also showcase the unique understanding and creativity of the Chaozhou people in cultural exchange. Strolling through the arcades of Paifang Street, you will find that the shops here are filled with a strong cultural atmosphere. Chaozhou's intangible cultural heritages, such as Chao embroidery, hand-pulled teapots, ceramics, and kung fu tea, are perfectly presented here. At the same time, various Chaozhou delicacies are mouth-watering: Chaozhou's three treasures, beef hot pot, rice noodle rolls, licorice fruit... Each bite is an exploration of the past and present of the ancient city of Chaozhou. In the streets and alleys of Chaozhou, there is a wide variety of food, and the decoration of the shops is also very visually striking. The Chaozhou people's attention to food is astonishing. Whether it's a 'beef ball' every three steps, a 'licorice fruit' every two steps, a 'Chaozhou three treasures' every five steps, or a 'raw fish' every ten steps, it all reflects the Chaozhou people's love and pursuit of good food. At the same time, the local tea culture and beverage innovation are unique contributions of the Chaozhou people to the food culture. Here, you can feel the charm and vitality of the ancient city of Chaozhou, as well as the Chaozhou people's love and pursuit of life.