About Shantou
Everything you need to know before your visit — history, climate, getting around, and practical tips.
📜 History
Shantou (Swatow) opened as a treaty port in 1860 under the Treaty of Tianjin, becoming one of the most prosperous trading posts in southern China. It was designated one of China's original four Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in 1980, attracting overseas Teochew investment from across Southeast Asia. The old town retains elegant European-style banking and trading houses from the colonial era.
🤔 Why Go?
- Home of Teochew (Chaozhou) cuisine — one of China's great culinary traditions
- Unspoilt colonial architecture in the old port district
- Nan'ao Island: pristine beaches and fresh seafood
- Kung Fu tea culture — the most serious tea ceremony in China
- Off the tourist trail — authentic, unhurried, welcoming
- Ancestor homeland for 20M+ overseas Chinese worldwide
🗓️ When to Go
- Oct – Mar (Best): Mild, dry, sunny. 18–24°C. Ideal for sightseeing and the outdoors.
- Apr – May: Warm and comfortable. Occasional spring rain. Cherry blossoms.
- Jun – Sep: Hot and very humid. Typhoon season — check forecasts. Hotels cheaper.
- Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) is festive but very crowded locally.
ℹ️ General Information
- Language: Mandarin (official), Teochew dialect widely spoken
- Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY / RMB). WeChat Pay & Alipay universal.
- Visa: Standard China visa required (144-hour transit-free available)
- Electricity: 220V / 50Hz · Type A/I sockets
- Emergency: 110 (Police) · 120 (Ambulance) · 119 (Fire)
- Time Zone: CST (UTC+8)
📍 Shantou Location Map
23.3541° N, 116.6819° E · Guangdong Province, China🌡️ Climate & Weather by Month
| Month | Avg Temp | High/Low | Rainfall | Conditions | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 18/11°C | 35mm | Cool, dry, sunny | Winter |
| Feb | 15°C | 19/12°C | 55mm | Cool, some fog | Winter |
| Mar | 19°C | 23/16°C | 80mm | Warming, humid | Spring |
| Apr | 23°C | 27/20°C | 130mm | Warm, rainy spells | Spring |
| May | 27°C | 31/24°C | 185mm | Hot, humid | Spring |
| Jun | 29°C | 33/26°C | 240mm | Hot, typhoon risk | Summer |
| Jul | 30°C | 33/27°C | 200mm | Peak typhoon season | Summer |
| Aug | 30°C | 33/27°C | 220mm | Very hot, storms | Summer |
| Sep | 28°C | 32/25°C | 150mm | Hot, tapering rain | Autumn |
| Oct | 24°C | 28/21°C | 55mm | Pleasant, sunny ✓ | Autumn |
| Nov | 19°C | 24/16°C | 35mm | Excellent weather ✓✓ | Autumn |
| Dec | 15°C | 20/12°C | 25mm | Cool, dry, crisp ✓✓ | Winter |
✨ Top Highlights & Activities
Destinations, Hotels & Dining
Explore Shantou's top attractions, recommended places to stay, and the finest Teochew dining — all in one place.
Getting There & Around
Shantou is well connected by air, high-speed rail, and road. Getting around the city is easy and affordable.
✈️ By Air
Jieyang Chaoshan Airport (SWA) serves Shantou with flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and selected SE Asian cities. ~35 min taxi to city centre. Taxis ~¥120–160.
🚄 High-Speed Rail
Shantou Station connects to Guangzhou (~1h40), Shenzhen (~1h20), Xiamen (~1h15), and beyond. Shantou North Station serves inter-city routes. Very affordable — book via 12306.cn or Trip.com.
🚌 Long-Distance Bus
Shantou Bus Station links to Guangzhou (~3h), Shenzhen (~2.5h), and neighbouring Chaozhou (~45 min) and Jieyang (~1h). Comfortable express coaches run frequently.
🚕 City Taxis & DiDi
Metered taxis start at ¥8. DiDi (China's Uber) app is the easiest option — download before arrival. Drivers rarely speak English; show your destination in Chinese characters.
🚌 City Buses
Extensive bus network; fares ¥1–2. Useful for budget travel but maps are Chinese-only. Scan QR codes with WeChat/Alipay to pay. BRT (bus rapid transit) covers main corridors.
⛴️ Ferry
Small ferry boats cross the Han River (¥1–2 per trip) connecting old town to Nan'an district. Regular ferries to Nan'ao Island from Nan'ao Pier (~1h, ¥25). Scenic and practical.
🚲 Cycling & E-Bikes
Hello Bike and Meituan Bike share services available citywide — scan QR codes to unlock. E-bike rentals from ¥30/day. Flat coastal areas are very cycle-friendly in cooler months.
🚗 Car Hire
International driving licence with Chinese translation required. Platforms: Shenzhou, Avis China. Best for Nan'ao Island day trips. Local driving is chaotic — a driver is recommended.
🛍️ Shopping in Shantou
🏬 Malls & Markets
- The MixC (万象城): Shantou's premier mall — 7 floors of fashion, dining, cafés
- Hengshan Commercial Plaza: Local brands and electronics near the old town
- Xiashan Night Market: Street food, clothing, trinkets after dark
- Chenghai Toy District: Wholesale toy city (world's largest toy production hub)
🎁 What to Buy
- Kung Fu tea sets: Teochew-style clay teapots and gaiwan sets
- Oolong teas: Da Hong Pao, Dancong oolong from local tea shops
- Dried seafood: Shrimp paste, dried oysters, fish cakes to take home
- Shantou embroidery: Traditional hand-stitched folk art pieces
- Toys & gifts: From Chenghai district wholesale markets
🍺 Drinking & Nightlife
- Kung Fu tea: Order at any teahouse — the city's real nightlife ritual
- Craft beer bars: Emerging scene around Longhu district
- Milk tea: Teochew-style "herbal jelly tea" shops on every street corner
- Tian Fu Tea House (天福茗茶): Best upscale tea tasting rooms
- Alcohol culture is modest — food and tea dominate social life here
Resources & Useful Links
Official tourism sites, travel blogs, booking platforms and information resources for planning your Shantou trip.