Chaozhou Ancient City

Travel is a way to enjoy life and experience its pleasures. Everyone has their own unique way of exploring, but happiness is the true essence. To get here, take a high-speed train to Chaoshan Station, then choose between the tourist express line (¥15 per person) or a double-decker tourist bus (¥20 per person). Alternatively, take bus K2 (around ¥10) and alight at Qiaonan Market Station—just be sure to board the correct direction. Chaozhou Ancient City boasts stunning scenery and exceptional cuisine. Located in Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, it is one of China's renowned historical and cultural cities with over 1,600 years of history. As the cradle and vital heritage site of Chaoshan culture, the city's unique charm unfolds through its historical evolution, cultural traits, architectural legacy, and folk arts: --- **I. Historical Evolution** 1. **Origins** - Founded in 331 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty as "Haiyang County," it was renamed "Chaozhou" in 591 AD during the Sui Dynasty, symbolizing "the ebb and flow of tides." - Han Yu, exiled to Chaozhou in 819 AD during the Tang Dynasty, promoted education, agriculture, and social reforms, leaving a lasting cultural impact. The "Han Wen Gong Temple" was later built in his honor. 2. **Development Through Dynasties** - Became the political and economic hub of eastern Guangdong in the Song Dynasty, with expanded city walls and the construction of Guangji Bridge (Xiangzi Bridge). - Flourished commercially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, perfecting its urban layout with the iconic "three mountains and one river encircling the ancient city." --- **II. Cultural Highlights** 1. **Epitome of Chaoshan Culture** - **Language**: The Chaozhou dialect preserves ancient Chinese phonetics, hailed as a "living fossil of classical Chinese." - **Cuisine**: Chaozhou cuisine is renowned for its delicacy (e.g., beef balls, oyster omelets, braised goose), paired with the daily ritual of Gongfu tea. - **Beliefs**: Blends Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and folk worship, with vibrant sites like Kaiyuan Temple and Qinglong Ancient Temple. 2. **Merchant Culture** - Chaozhou merchants have thrived in overseas trade since ancient times, leaving behind numerous guildhalls and trading posts in the city. --- **III. Architecture & Heritage** 1. **Ancient City Walls** - The remaining 2 km of Ming Dynasty walls feature Guangji Gate (East Gate) as its landmark, inscribed with the timeless plaque "East for Eternal Spring." 2. **Guangji Bridge (Xiangzi Bridge)** - One of China's Four Great Ancient Bridges, built in the Southern Song Dynasty, famed for its "18 pontoon boats and 24 piers"—the world’s earliest openable-closable bridge. 3. **Pailou Street** - A stretch of 23 Ming-Qing stone memorial arches honoring scholarly achievements and moral tales, like "Zhuangyuan Arch" and "Seven Sages Arch." 4. **Traditional Residences** - Neighborhoods like Jiadi Lane and Yixing Lane preserve Ming-Qing mansions, showcasing Chaoshan-style layouts such as "Four-Point Gold" and "Horse-Drawn Carriage." --- **IV. Intangible Heritage & Folklore** 1. **Crafts** - **Chaozhou Embroidery**: One of China’s four major embroideries, known for 3D gold-thread and nail-stitch techniques. - **Chaozhou Woodcarving**: Multi-layered openwork carvings adorning ancestral halls and furniture. - **Chaozhou Ceramics**: Celebrated for Song Dynasty Bijiashan kilns and modern pierced porcelain and underglaze colors. 2. **Performing Arts** - **Teochew Opera**: Among China’s oldest operas, with melodic tunes and roles like "Sheng, Dan, Chou, Jing." - **Chaozhou Music**: A Tang-Song legacy featuring gong-drum ensembles and string melodies, played with instruments like the yehu and erxian. 3. **Festivals** - **Deity Parades**: Lunar New Year’s Qinglong Temple Fair and "Laore" customs blend processions, Yingge dances, and drum troupes. - **Mid-Autumn Fire Towers**: Tile-stacked towers set ablaze for blessings. --- **V. Modern Preservation & Tourism** - **Conservation**: Designated a national historical block in 2015, with Guangji Bridge and Kaiyuan Temple as key protected sites. - **Highlights**: Explore the cultural route of "one bridge (Guangji), one street (Pailou), one temple (Kaiyuan), one mansion (Princess Consort Xu’s Residence)," enhanced by nighttime light shows reviving the city’s charm. --- Dubbed "Famed Land of Lingnan" and "Coastal Confucian Haven," Chaozhou Ancient City embodies the fusion of Central Plains and maritime civilizations. Stroll its lanes to touch millennia of history and savor the refined, enduring spirit of Teochew life.