2-Day Trip to Shantou, Unforgettable Stunning Scenery
Explore Shantou with 1500 RMB! A 2-Day 1-Night Food and Sightseeing Guide, Old Town Sea Breeze and Culinary Feast
Under the mottled shadows of the arcade buildings, take a bite of the glutinous rice dumpling ball, then turn around to meet the gentle sea breeze and the blue of Nan'ao Island — this Shantou trip lets your weekend be doubly immersed in delicious food and sea views.
At sunset in Xiti Park, the salty sea breeze carries the sound of distant fishing boat engines. Holding a bowl of licorice fruit, you watch the lights of Queshi Bridge gradually light up. This is Shantou, a place where busy city dwellers slow down.
My 2-day 1-night itinerary, with a budget of 1500 RMB, lets you taste everything from street snacks to seafood feasts, stay in a uniquely Southeast Asian-style guesthouse, and capture every vintage frame of the old town.
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Itinerary Overview and Budget
Core idea: Reserve the first day for Shantou city’s history, culture, and food; dedicate the second day to the natural sea views of Nan'ao Island. Budget allocation ensures “comfortable stay, authentic food, and fun activities.”
Budget allocation:
· Accommodation: 1 night, about 200-300 RMB
· Meals: main meals + snacks, about 400-500 RMB
· Transportation: city transport and round trip to Nan'ao Island, about 200-300 RMB
· Tickets and experiences: about 100 RMB
· Emergency fund: about 200 RMB
Accommodation recommendation: Choose a characteristic guesthouse or budget hotel near Xiaogongyuan Kai Bu District, around 180-250 RMB per person per night. For example, Xiaogongyuan Sumachi Hotel or DIOTEL Queen Hotel, right at the arcade old street, central location, convenient for night strolls and morning photos.
Day 1: Old Town Flavors, Time Travel
The theme of day one is an immersive experience of Shantou’s historical context and local life. Slow down and measure the city’s depth with your taste buds and eyes.
Morning: Arrival and First Impressions
Arrive at Shantou Station by high-speed train. After checking into a hotel in the Xiaogongyuan area, officially start exploring.
The first stop is Xiaogongyuan Kai Bu District. This is Shantou’s “city origin,” centered around the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Pavilion, with well-preserved arcade streets radiating out. No ticket needed; you can freely wander, capture the changing light on the mottled walls, and find the popular “Shantou” character check-in wall.
Noon: Authentic Flavor First Experience
Lunch in the old town. Choose a popular snack shop loved by tourists and locals, about 40 RMB per person, where you can try oyster omelet, horseshoe crab cake, pig intestine stuffed with glutinous rice, and other traditional rice cakes all at once.
If you want something simpler, Laomagong Zongqiu is a classic choice, 10 RMB each, with a double flavor (sweet and savory), rich and delicious.
Afternoon: Dialogue Between Architecture and History
In the afternoon, rent a shared electric scooter (about 3 RMB per ride) to easily visit nearby historical and cultural landmarks.
· Shantou Post Office Building: a magnificent European-style building witnessing Shantou’s opening history.
· Shantou Opening Culture Exhibition Hall (or Overseas Chinese Remittance Museum): deeply understand Shantou’s unique history as a hometown of overseas Chinese.
Evening: Chase a Sea Sunset
Head to Xiti Park before sunset. This is the best spot to watch the inner bay and Queshi Bridge. Watching the sunset dye the sky and sea golden is the most healing moment of the day.
Night: Culinary Highlight and Night View
Dinner is the main event. Head straight to Longyannan Road Food Street and start “street sweeping” mode.
· Beef hotpot: a must-try in Shantou. Choose the famous Xinghua Wuji or Baheli Haiji, fresh sliced beef melts in your mouth, about 80-100 RMB per person for a very satisfying meal.
· Dessert after meal: have a bowl of the classic Guangchang old brand tofu pudding (smooth and firm) or Lao Hu sweet soup, or buy some refreshing licorice fruit to eat while strolling.
After a full meal, return to Xiaogongyuan. The arcade buildings at night, lit up, feel even more dreamlike and timeless than during the day.
Day 2: Head to the Sea, Nan'ao Style
The theme of day two is embracing the ocean and sunshine. Nan'ao Island’s beauty lies in the freedom of the island road and the grandeur where mountains meet the sea.
Morning: Cross the Sea to the Island and Lighthouse Tour
After breakfast, it’s recommended to carpool or take the bus to Nan'ao Island (carpool round trip about 60 RMB per person). The vehicle crosses the 11-kilometer-long Nan'ao Bridge, with endless blue sea outside the window, instantly boosting travel excitement.
Once on the island, the island tour officially begins. The first stop is the Changshanwei Lighthouse, a classic photo spot with the red lighthouse framed by blue sea, sky, and Nan'ao Bridge.
Noon: The Freshest Taste of Seafood
Lunch near Qing'ao Bay on the island. Find a seafood stall popular with locals, order steamed oysters, seaweed fried rice, boiled shrimp, about 70 RMB per person to taste the freshest flavors of the sea.
Afternoon: Beach, Windmills, and Farewell
After lunch, take a walk on Qing'ao Bay Beach, with fine sand and clear water. Then visit the nearby Nature’s Gate (Tropic of Cancer Marker Tower) for a check-in.
If time allows, continue along the island road to find the spectacular view of Windmill Hill or stop again at Qian'ao Bay Lighthouse.
Around 3 PM, with a heart full of blue memories, start the journey back to the city.
Evening: Last Shopping and Reflection
Back in Shantou city, if your return ticket is later, visit Zhenbang Road Food Street or souvenir shops to buy pork jerky and beef balls as gifts, perfectly ending this food journey.
Core Food Map
Shantou’s food universe is vast; two days can only pick a few stars. This list helps you pinpoint must-tries for a worthwhile trip:
🌟 Must-Eat List
· Beef Hotpot: Xinghua Wuji, Baheli Haiji. Freshness is key; beef is freshest after 4 PM.
· Braised Goose: Intangible Cultural Heritage Sunan Qinji, Chunmeili Braised Goose Restaurant. Goose meat, liver, and intestines are must-orders.
· Raw Marinated: Jin Ershun Chaoshan Raw Marinated, Ruijiao Mama. Known as “Chaoshan poison,” start with shrimp and crab.
· Rice Rolls: Xiao Wu Rice Rolls, Junkang Rice Rolls. Thin skin, generous filling, sauce is the soul.
✨ Snacks & Desserts
· Rice Cakes: Zhenping Rice Cake Soup Shop, any steaming hot rice cake stall on the street.
· Zongqiu: Laomagong Zongqiu.
· Sweet Soups: Guangchang Old Brand Tofu Pudding, Lao Hu Sweet Soup, Xiyi Sweet Soup.
· Juice Ice: Yaqiang Juice Ice, real ingredients, a great palate cleanser.
Practical Travel Tips
1. Transportation Pitfalls: Be sure to get tickets to Shantou Station. Shared electric scooters in the city are great for exploring the old town. For Nan'ao Island, renting a car to circle the island (about 200 RMB per car) is much better than waiting for the bus.
2. Food Secrets: Many authentic old shops only accept cash, so prepare in advance. Don’t blindly follow long lines at trendy spots; sometimes small local shops on the street bring more surprises.
3. Photo Guide: The arcade cluster in Xiaogongyuan is best photographed in the early morning and evening light, with fewer people. Wearing vintage or plain clothes blends better with the background.
4. Health and Safety: Shantou has strong sun; sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential. Mosquitoes in Guangdong are fierce, especially by the sea at dusk, so bring mosquito repellent.
5. Mindset Adjustment: Don’t be a “special forces soldier.” Shantou’s charm lies in slow-paced wandering and spontaneous discoveries. Stopping at a beautiful corner is more important than rushing through all the sights.
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The waves at Qing'ao Bay are still gently lapping the shore, while I’m already on the return bus, my phone album full of arcade sunsets and island blue skies.
This trip taught me that Shantou’s charm is not only in its famous beef hotpot and raw marinated dishes but also in the handmade, nameless rice cakes at the market, and the stories told by tricycle drivers in Chaoshan dialect about the alleys.
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