Meizhou has been tough, and I really don’t recommend going in December—it’s just too harsh!
Thought December in Meizhou would be a treasure trove with warm winters in Hakka walled villages and freedom to enjoy preserved noodles, but ended up stepping into a trap—damp cold from the Nanling Mountains seeps into your bones, half of the Hakka walled villages are closed for repairs, the popular preserved noodle shops charge 50% more and taste worse, tourists crowd Songkou Ancient Town making it impossible to find a peaceful spot. I wanted an immersive Hakka cultural experience but ended up so frustrated I just wanted to escape😭! This heartfelt guide is to help you avoid pitfalls—think twice before rushing in!
1️⃣ Transportation 🚄🚌
- External transport: Take the high-speed train to Meizhou West Station (3 hours from Guangzhou, ticket around 150 RMB), then transfer to bus No. 18 (2 RMB/person) directly to the city center; after flying into Meizhou Meixian Airport, choose ride-hailing services (starting fare 8 RMB) to avoid airport black taxis (which charge double the normal fare);
- Internal transport: Prioritize shared bikes in the city (1.5 RMB/hour, covering main attractions). For Yannanfei Tea Fields/Songkou Ancient Town, suggest carpooling with 4 people (30 RMB per person), which is half the cost of a taxi; December mountain roads are often foggy, self-driving requires snow chains (rent locally for 50 RMB/day), inexperienced drivers should be cautious and don’t trust roadside touts⚠️
2️⃣ Recommended Attractions 🌿🏯
- Hakka Museum Side Hall: Open 9:00-17:00 (free), avoid the crowded main hall. The side hall features detailed exhibits on Hakka migration and intangible cultural heritage crafts, offering an immersive cultural experience with almost no tourists📸;
- Songkou Ancient Town Back Mountain Trail: Open all day (free), bypasses the commercial stalls on the main street. The trail offers views of Ting River sunsets and century-old arcade buildings. In December, golden light spills over the river at dusk, stunningly quiet—ten times more peaceful than the main street;
- Yannanfei Tea Fields’ Lesser-Known Tea Terraces: Open 8:00-17:30 (ticket 80 RMB), avoid the main tourist spots. Deep in the terraces, thin mist often shrouds the tea plants, with occasional frost on the buds in winter—perfect for forest-style photos without crowds✨;
- Qiaoxi Ancient Charm Back Village: Open all day (free), avoid the popular spots in the main village. The back village preserves original Hakka architecture with bluestone paths and rammed earth walls. You might catch villagers drying cured meats, full of authentic local life.
3️⃣ Accommodation 🏡🔥
- Address: No. 128 Jiangbian Road, Meijiang District, Meizhou City (Meizhou Warm Resident Homestay);
- Price: Off-season in December 180 RMB/night (double room), peak season 350 RMB/night (higher on holidays);
- Highlights: Full underfloor heating (essential against damp cold), 5-minute walk to Hakka Museum, includes Hakka specialty breakfast (preserved noodles + Sanji Di soup)🥣, owner provides free insider travel routes, 50% better value than homestays near scenic spots.
4️⃣ Food Recommendations 😋🍜
- Preserved Noodles (Old Street “Afang Preserved Noodle Shop”): 5 RMB/bowl, rich pork lard aroma, served with free goji leaf soup, half the price of popular shops, locals have eaten here since childhood, generous portions to fill you up;
- Hakka Stuffed Three Treasures (City “Old Hakka Restaurant”): 38 RMB/serving, stuffed tofu + stuffed bitter melon + stuffed eggplant, fresh and flavorful, no hidden charges, much cheaper than tourist restaurants;
- Salt-Baked Chicken (Dongshan Market “Zhang’s Salt-Baked Shop”): 60 RMB/whole, freshly made and sold, firm and savory meat, vacuum-packed to take away, fresher and better value than popular gift boxes.
5️⃣ Photo & Check-in Spots 📸✨
- Songkou Ancient Town Back Mountain Trail: At sunset, stand by the Ting River to capture the arcade buildings and their reflections on the water. Wearing a caramel-colored coat matching the warm-toned sunset creates a perfect atmosphere;
- Yannanfei Tea Fields’ Lesser-Known Tea Terraces: Crouch near tea buds, use shallow depth of field to blur the background, highlighting misty terraces and people, easy to get fresh forest-style shots;
- Qiaoxi Ancient Charm Back Village: Sit by the rammed earth wall to photograph villagers drying cured meats, using bamboo sieves and cured meats as foreground, full of vintage Hakka charm.
6️⃣ Travel Tips ⚠️💡
- Must bring: Windproof waterproof jacket, fleece-lined pants (December is damp and cold with no heating), non-slip shoes (many stone paths in ancient towns), thermos (hot water in scenic spots costs 10 RMB/cup);
- Avoid pitfalls: Don’t follow the crowd to popular preserved noodle shops (overpriced + bad taste), choose old shops in residential areas; check Hakka walled villages’ open status in advance (half are closed for repairs); buy specialties at markets (30% cheaper than scenic spots);
- Note: Don’t step on thresholds when entering Hakka walled villages, respect local customs; Meizhou is foggy in December, choose afternoon for photos (fog gradually clears); damp cold weather can cause joint pain, bring warming patches for waist and abdomen.
7️⃣ 1-3 Day Leisure Itinerary 🗺️
- Day 1: Arrive in Meizhou → Breakfast at Afang Preserved Noodle Shop → Hakka Museum Side Hall → Dinner at Old Hakka Restaurant with Stuffed Three Treasures;
- Day 2: Carpool to Songkou Ancient Town Back Mountain → Yannanfei Tea Fields’ Lesser-Known Tea Terraces → Buy Salt-Baked Chicken at Dongshan Market;
- Day 3: Qiaoxi Ancient Charm Back Village → Purchase Hakka rice wine/cured meat specialties → Return trip.
Personal Experience & Summary 🌿❄️
December in Meizhou, the damp cold and reduced experiences greatly diminish the Hakka charm. Although the lesser-known secret spots hold surprises, their cost-effectiveness is low! This guide compiles all the essential tips to help you avoid wasting money. If you want to visit, save this and wait until next spring to unlock Meizhou’s beauty~