7-day tour of Eastern Guangdong’s Heyuan, Meizhou, Yongding Tulou, and Chao-Shan cuisine exploration
This is a 7-day itinerary for visiting Guangzhou, Heyuan, Meizhou, Yongding, and Chaozhou-Shantou, featuring family visits and culinary experiences. It offers an opportunity to explore Cantonese culture, Chaoshan culture, and Hakka culture, including unique Hakka tulou buildings and ancient Chaoshan architecture, while enjoying stunning rural landscapes and savoring delicious Chaoshan home-cooked dishes.
A suggested 7-day itinerary：
| Date | tourist attraction |
| D1 Entering Guangzhou |
Appearance: Little Waist of Guangzhou Tower, Haixinsha Island + Haixin Bridge, Huacheng Square, New Xijibaiwan, Yongqingliang, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street |
| D2 Guangzhou-Heyuan |
Wanlu Lake – Mirror Flower and Moon, Dinosaur Museum, Musical Fountain |
| D3 Heyuan-MeiZhou |
Sujiawei, Qianfotower, Hakka Tulou, Hakka Museum |
| D4 Meizhou-Yongding |
In Yongding’s Chuxi village, visit the Tulou and soak in hot springs. |
| D5 Yongding-Chaozhou |
Guangji Gate Tower, Xiangzi Bridge, Hanwen Gong Shrine, Jia Di Lane + Archway Street |
| D6 Chaozhou-Shantou |
Small park arcade, Republican-era old street, Shibaotai Park, coastal promenade, Laomagong Temple |
| D7 Departure from Shantou to Jieyang |
The journey has ended, flying back to the warm embrace of home. |
Travel experience：
Appreciate Hakka tulou and Hakka weiwu, experience the authentic lifestyle and cultural customs of the Hakka people.
Not only can you appreciate the unique architecture that has been designated as a World Heritage Site, but you can also experience the indomitable spirit and mutual assistance of the Hakka people who live in Weilu or Tulou.
Experience the history and culture of Chaozhou’s ‘time capsule’.
Explore the well-preserved historical sites from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties in Chaozhou, embarking on a journey through a thousand years of time, and experience the charm of the ancient city of Chaozhou and Chao-Shan culture.
key attractions：
The Divine Enclosure of Hakka People – Yongding Chuxi Earth Building
In the animated film Big Fish & Begonia, find Chun’s home. This is Chun’s home and also the dream of Big Fish & Begonia, where one can search for Chun’s memories.
A few steps from Guangji Pavilion is the famous Guangji Bridge.
This ancient bridge, which integrates beam bridges, pontoon bridges, and arch bridges, is renowned as one of China’s Four Great Ancient Bridges. Walking on it, every step echoes with history, as if one were transported back to an era bustling with activity. The eighteen pontoon boats on the bridge leave one marveling at the wisdom and creativity of ancient craftsmen.
Shantou Old Town
The old city of Shantou, located at No. 86 Zhiping Road, Jinping District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, is a cluster of buildings rich in historical charm and also a must-visit place for overseas Chinese returning to trace their roots.
Check-in at business district：
Guangzhou Yongqingfang: The perfect place to explore Xiguan culture and cuisine
Immerse yourself in the most authentic Old Xiguan experience, featuring typical Xiguan houses, arcade streets, ancient Cantonese opera culture, and a variety of local delicacies. This historically rich area is a must-visit for every tourist exploring the traditional charm of Guangzhou.
Crossing the archway street, explore the timeless charm of Chaozhou ancient city.
Chaoshan’s Paifang Street features 23 archways, each with its own story, making it the largest ancient paifang street in China and a unique cultural landmark nationwide.
tasting gourmet food：
Enjoy traditional Cantonese dim sum and morning tea, which includes breakfast and tea drinking.
In the morning, we have specially arranged a popular traditional Chinese restaurant in the local area for you to savor authentic Cantonese dim sum and experience the leisurely local lifestyle.
Chao-Shan cuisine treasures — beef hotpot, braised goose, and rice roll soup.
We will specially arrange local restaurants known for their unique features, allowing you to savor authentic Chao-Shan dishes such as braised goose and beef hotpot.
Best Time to Go:
Spring, summer, autumn, and winter; Qingming Festival, Double Ninth Festival. Try to avoid major holidays such as National Day, Chinese New Year, Canton Fair, and ASEAN Expo. Travel during off-peak times to avoid crowds and enjoy a better experience while saving money!
A detailed 7-day itinerary：
The following itinerary is for your reference. If you have other needs, we would be honored to arrange professional travel planners for you, who will tailor a personalized itinerary based on your interests, schedule, and budget.
Day 1: Arrival in Guangzhou
Welcome to Guangzhou! To ensure your journey is worry-free, your personal guide will meet you at the airport arrival hall. You’ll visit landmarks such as the Little Waist Guangzhou Tower, Haixinsha Island, Huacheng Square, Xiguan Houses, Yongqingli, take a sightseeing tram, stroll along Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, and enjoy delicious local cuisine that’s out of this world!
Meal arrangements: Cantonese dim sum for lunch at Din Tai Fung & roast goose for dinner at He Xiang Ju
Transportation: Bus
Hotel options:
Guangzhou Ibis Styles Yongqingfang Hotel (4-star)
Guangzhou Poly Holiday Hotel (5-star)
Day 2: Guangzhou to Heyuan
After breakfast today, we took a bus to Heyuan, where we toured Wanlu Lake-Mirror Flower and Moon, the Dinosaur Museum, and the Music Fountain, accompanied by our private guide and driver.
Meal arrangement: breakfast
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Heyuan Times Cloud International Hotel (4-star)
Heyuan Xiangfeng International Hotel (5-star)
Day 3: Heyuan to Meizhou
After breakfast today, we will first visit one of China’s most beautiful rural areas, Sujiawei. Sujiawei is the residence of the descendants of Song Dynasty literary figure Su Dongpo. This village is full of legendary charm, with abundant Hakka cultural elements and the spirit of Su Dongpo’s saying ‘It is better to live without meat than without bamboo.’ Everywhere exudes a strong cultural atmosphere.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Meizhou, the birthplace of Hakka culture, where we visited the Qianfo Pagoda, Hakka Tulou buildings, the Hakka Museum, and took a car tour along the Mei River.
Meal arrangements: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Meizhou Chengyu Hotel (4-star)
Meizhou Changsheng Howard Johnson Hotel (5-star)
Day 4: Meizhou to Yongding
After breakfast, we took a car ride to Yongding, Fujian Province, led by our tour guide and Four Seasons Geese, to visit the World Heritage Site – Yongding Chuxi Tulou. We also enjoyed hot springs at the hotel. The Yongding Tulou was mistakenly identified as nuclear missile launch sites by the United States in the 1960s, featured on a ‘Chinese Residential Houses’ stamp in 1986, listed in the World Heritage List in 2008, and awarded four Guinness World Records for being the oldest, most numerous, largest, and tallest in 2010.
Meal arrangements: breakfast & lunch & dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel selection:
Yongding Guest City Hot Spring Hotel (5-star)
Day 5: Yongding to Chaozhou
After breakfast, we headed to Chaozhou to visit Kaiyuan Temple, Guangji Gate Tower, the exterior of Xiangzi Bridge, and Han Wengong Shrine, as well as Jia Di Alley and the Archway Street. We also tasted Chao-Shan cuisine.
Meal arrangements: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Chaozhou Orange Hotel Ancient City Branch (4-star)
Chaozhou Tengrui Crowne Plaza Hotel (5-star)
Day 6: Chaozhou to Shantou
After breakfast today, we followed the tour guide to visit the old arcade of Xiaogongyuan, Shipaotai Park, the exterior of Linbianxin International Convention and Exhibition Center + Shantou University, Moma Temple, and the coastal promenade, enjoying Chao-Shan cuisine.
Meal arrangements: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Shantou Platinum Crystal Hotel (4-star)
Shantou Junhua Seaview Hotel (5-star)
Day 7: Departure from Shantou to Jieyang
After breakfast, enjoy free activities. When your 7-day journey through Eastern Guangdong, Heyuan, Meizhou, Yongding Tulou, and Chao-Shan cuisine comes to an end, your dedicated guide and driver will take you to Jieyang International Airport for your flight back home.
Meal arrangements: breakfast & lunch
Transportation: bus
hotel selection：
Recommendation for boutique hotels to enrich your travel experience.
Membership fee quotation：
The price depends on your travel plans, travel dates, number of people, and the hotel and meal requirements you choose.
The price includes：
- travel bus
- Chinese-English bilingual tour guide
- The attractions, hotels, and meals listed on the itinerary.
- Travel insurance
- 24/7 customer service hotline during travel
