Chaozhou is beautiful, but not recommended to visit in February|Because it’s really warm and lively
✨ Opening ramble
I originally wanted to find a quiet small town to escape the cold, but after spending 5 days in Chaozhou in February, I was blown by the warm breeze every day and didn’t want to leave.
There’s none of the crowding like in Sanya, no commercialization like in Xiamen, just 20℃+ warm sunshine, the aroma of beef all over the streets, and the slow-paced Chaoshan Kungfu tea.
Friends asked if it’s worth visiting, and I want to say: Chaozhou is very beautiful, but I really don’t recommend coming in February—because once you come, you’ll be like me, not wanting to leave.
🌞 Why say Chaozhou in February is “too much”?
• The temperature is too comfortable: an average of 22℃, you can explore the ancient city wearing just a light jacket, with the sea breeze carrying the scent of marinated goose, making you feel lazy.
• The festive atmosphere hasn’t faded: In February, Chaozhou is still immersed in the warmth of the Spring Festival, with red lanterns hanging all over Paifang Street, Kungfu tea tables set up at every doorstep, and passersby are invited to have a cup.
• Food is densely packed: From morning till night, from Paifang Street to West Horse Road, there’s a famous old shop every three steps, making both your wallet and stomach “alarm.”
📝 5 days 4 nights nanny-level itinerary (unhurried and relaxed version)
Day 1: Arrive in Chaozhou, settle into the slow time in the ancient city
• Morning: Arrive at Chaoshan Station, take a taxi to the ancient city (about 30 minutes), choose an old courtyard homestay with a skylight, drop off your luggage and go have your first cup of Kungfu tea.
• Afternoon: Stroll Paifang Street, walk from Guangji Tower to Kaiyuan Temple, admire the arcade buildings, listen to Chaoshan opera, and casually buy sugar scallion pancakes, duck mother rolls, oyster omelets on the street—all safe bets.
• Evening: Have dinner on West Horse Road, recommended “Lao Bin Oyster Omelet” and “Hu Rongquan Duck Mother Rolls,” then take a walk along the Han River and watch the Guangji Bridge light show.
Day 2: Leisurely explore the ancient city, eat from morning till night
• Morning: Get up early to eat a bowl of beef offal rice noodles at “Zhenji Old Tail Beef Offal,” the broth is so fresh it’ll surprise you, then buy a red peach cake snack at “Amin Snacks.”
• Afternoon: Visit Kaiyuan Temple, admire the flying eaves and dougong of the thousand-year-old temple, then go to “Zaiyang Teahouse” to listen to Chaoshan opera and drink Kungfu tea, spending the whole afternoon slowly.
• Evening: Go to “Guantang Brothers Beef Hotpot,” freshly sliced hanging tenderloin and spoon handle cuts dipped for 8 seconds melt in your mouth, paired with satay sauce, parents will nod approvingly.
Day 3: Escape the ancient city, go to the seaside to watch the sunset
• Morning: Charter a car to Raoping Xunzhou Island (about 1 hour), watch fishermen go out to sea and pick shells, seafood stalls on the island catch and cook fresh seafood on the spot, prices are half cheaper than in the ancient city.
• Afternoon: Visit Longhu Ancient Village, stroll through the Ming and Qing dynasty village, see the ancestral halls and paifang of the “Little Palace of Chaoshan,” few people and beautiful scenery, perfect for photos.
• Evening: Return to the ancient city, have a mango fried ice dessert at “Ah Xiong Fried Ice” to refresh.
Day 4: Deeply experience Chaoshan culture
• Morning: Visit the “Chaoshan Embroidery Research Institute,” watch intangible cultural heritage inheritors embroider Chaoshan embroidery, personally experience the slow craft of needle and thread.
• Afternoon: Explore Chaozhou Ceramic City, buy a few hand-painted small teacups to take home for Kungfu tea.
• Evening: Find an old teahouse on Paifang Street, listen to locals tell stories about Chaozhou, and you won’t want to leave even late at night.
Day 5: Last day, save your stomach for snacks
• Morning: Get up early to have dim sum at “Kaiyuan Square,” shrimp dumplings, siu mai, chicken feet, rice rolls—order one of each and eat until you can barely stand.
• Afternoon: Stroll West Horse Road, buy some fermented bean curd cakes, Chaoshan luo cakes, and old fragrant yellow sugar as souvenirs, then head to the high-speed rail station for your return trip.
🍜 Must-eat food list (certified by locals, no misses)
1. Beef hotpot: Guantang Brothers, Abin Beef Hotpot, freshly sliced beef, hanging tenderloin, spoon handle, and brisket are must-orders.
2. Snacks: Duck mother rolls (Hu Rongquan), oyster omelet (Lao Bin), sugar scallion pancakes (Amin Snacks), red peach cake, mouse shell cake.
3. Dim sum: The dim sum shop at Kaiyuan Square, shrimp dumplings, rice rolls, chicken feet, great value for money.
4. Marinated dishes: Lao Bin marinated goose, Ah Xiong marinated dishes, goose meat, goose liver, goose wings, perfect with white porridge.
💡 Honest advice for traveling with parents/friends
1. Choose an old courtyard homestay in the ancient city: with a skylight and tea table, wake up to birdsong in the morning, drink tea in the courtyard at night, feels more like “home” than a hotel.
2. Don’t rush the itinerary: The beauty of Chaozhou lies in its slowness, only plan 1-2 places a day, use the rest of the time to drink tea, daydream, and eat.
3. Don’t trust trendy shops: Find places locals queue for, like old stalls on West Horse Road, tastier and cheaper than the trendy shops on Paifang Street.
4. Get around by walking + shared electric scooters: No cars allowed in the ancient city, shared scooters cost 10 yuan to explore the whole city, more convenient than taxis.
5. Bring good digestive tablets: Eating from morning till night, your stomach will really “go on strike.”
🌷 Closing ramble
Chaozhou in February has no biting cold winter, only warm sunshine and the smell of everyday life.
People here are unhurried, tea is brewed slowly, meals are eaten slowly, and life just passes by at this leisurely pace.