Trip Moments Recommendations
#Guangji Bridge Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
An ancient bridge in Guangdong has become popular, it is open during the day and splits into two at night
The scenes of relatives leaving and lovers separating often occur at the ferry crossing by the bridge. Standing at the head of the bridge, seeing the separation of relatives, it is inevitable to feel a sense of sorrow, and these strands of sorrow and bits of resentment have been transformed into beautiful texts and magnificent poems by literati, which are recited by people and add an artistic atmosphere to these ancient bridges. Today, let's walk into the Guangji Bridge, located opposite the Guangjimen City Tower on Huancheng East Road in Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, and see what different sceneries there are here. Although there are many similar ancient bridges in our country, the Guangji Bridge hidden in Guangdong is open during the day and splits into two at night, opening and closing for more than 800 years! Guangji Bridge, commonly known as Xiangzi Bridge, was built in the seventh year of Song Qiandao (1171 AD) and has a long history. Not only that, but it is also worth mentioning that it is also known as one of the 'Four Ancient Bridges of China' along with Zhaozhou Bridge, Luoyang Bridge, and Lugou Bridge. The surface of the Guangji Bridge is antique, the bridge spans the Han River, and combines beam bridges, arch bridges, and pontoon bridges into one, with a very special structure, which can be called a unique example in the history of bridges in our country.
Guang Ji Bridge
The Guang Ji Bridge in Han Jiang River. Another location to venture to. The Guangji bridge is a magnificent sight. The bridge is a fun place to take pictures and see the beauty of the Han Jiang River. The fun part of the bridge is the boat crossing. Hold on tight! Haha. The bridge was built to help merchants cross the river safely. While walking across the river, take lots of pictures and enjoy the wonderful architectural design. Enjoy the bridge. I highly recommend it. #newyearadventure
Chaozhou (Teochew) is an excellent place to spend a weekend.
The most famous sight in Chaozhou is the Guangji Bridge 广济桥, partly consisting of stone towers with a pontoon section in the middle that can be opened by moving the wooden boats. The extant bridge is a modern reconstruction of the ancient original, but it looks convincing. It's a little bit dear to cross, but the ticket itself is a postage-paid postcard.
The old city of Chaozhou retains its ancient wall on the river side, which makes a nice spot for a stroll.
Visit the picturesque West Lake, 西湖, and then walk along Zhongshan Road towards the river to see many workshops where the traditional art of Chaozhou woodcarving is still practised. The temples and ancestral halls in the old town are richly decorated with such carving.
Finally, stroll along the century-old main street marked by dozens of memorial arches and try some tasty street food or buy some locally made satay sauce to take home.
Several trains a day go from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Chaoshan Station, from where you can get a bus to Chaozhou itself. Chaozhou is not very big, so you can easily visit it and neighbouring Shantou (Swatow) in a weekend.
#qingmingtravel #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #oldtown #historicculture #historicallandmarks #chaozhou #teochew #guangdong #china #weekendtrip #sightseeing
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Chaozhou 20:30 | The ancient city's night view is so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes
Different from the tranquility and solemnity of Chaozhou's ancient city during the day⛩️, at night the city is bustling with people, and under the illumination of lights, it becomes more gorgeous and lively with a sense of festivity🏮
📍 Guangji Building
As night falls, the lights gradually come on, giving off a vibe similar to Chongqing's Hongya Cave
tips: The lighting is not very good at the main entrance, it's better to take photos at the back door or side of Guangji Building for better shots
📍 Guangji Bridge
The pavilions and towers on the bridge are quaint and elegant, and the lights change with the music, creating a beautiful and stunning effect
tips: The recommended viewing spot is on the riverside to the right after coming out of Guangji Gate
📍 Archway Street
At night, Archway Street is brightly lit and crowded, full of festive atmosphere
tips: Nighttime photos taken randomly on Archway Street are very pretty
🏠 Shuangji·Residence
✔️ The guesthouse is full of Chinese garden style, with green trees and strange rocks visible upon entering🎋, the floor is made of bluestone slabs, and there are bamboo tables and chairs🪑, and a swing🎑 by the stairs
✔️ The rooms are modern and elegantly decorated💫, equipped with disposable toiletries, smart toilets, and ultra-large high-definition screens, and the mattresses are soft and resilient~
✔️ The front desk staff are super enthusiastic, offering single bush tea, flower tea to drink, mung bean cakes, traditional Chaozhou biscuits to eat, and even complimentary licorice fruit~
✔️ The guesthouse is very close to the attractions of Chaozhou's ancient city, just a random alleyway leads straight to Archway Street, and the surrounding area is full of Chaozhou specialty snacks~
📍 Located at No.1 Rear Seat of Changshan Lane, Xiaxi Ping Road, Taiping Sub-district, Xiangqiao District
A magical bridge that has been opening and closing for over 800 years
This bridge in Chaozhou, known professionally as "the world's earliest lift bridge", was something I only learned about upon my arrival, revealing my limited knowledge.
The Guangji Bridge is different from other bridges in that it combines the features of a beam bridge, a pontoon bridge, and an arch bridge. The most remarkable part is the pontoon section in the middle, which is made up of dozens of wooden boats connected together (I couldn't count exactly how many boats there were). The boats are covered with wooden planks to form a floating bridge that people can walk across; the most majestic part is the arch bridge, which, I was told, spans about fifty meters and rises about thirty meters in height.
I arrived here after four in the afternoon, grabbed a cup of Americano with mandarin orange, and waited to witness the astonishing scene of 'dismantling the bridge to cross the river.' The dismantling started around five-thirty. I saw two large boats slowly approaching from a distance, gradually separating the sections of the pontoon bridge until it was split in two. During the day, the bridge is closed for people to cross, and at night it opens to allow the passage of large ships. It can also be quickly dismantled for flood discharge during heavy rains.
Chaozhou Guangji Bridge
Chaozhou Guangji Bridge is one of the four famous ancient bridges in China, originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty. Guangji Bridge is the earliest drawbridge, combining the features of beam bridges, pontoon bridges, and arch bridges. Having endured wars and various hardships, the Guangji Bridge we see today was rebuilt in 2007 following the design of the Ming Dynasty. The bridge looks even more beautiful at 8 p.m. because of the light show.
Chaozhou | Exchange a photo to prove you've been to Chaozhou
Chaozhou really values the heritage of intangible cultural heritage. When the intangible cultural heritage lanterns meet the intangible cultural heritage Chaozhou cuisine, the festive atmosphere of Jianye's home flavor is maxed out! Shantou is really too romantic 😭😭
Come to Chaozhou's Guangji Bridge for a challenge!
I personally prefer the night view of Guangji Bridge. When the lights come on at night, it feels a bit like Chongqing's Hongya Cave, with a little feel. The small lanterns🏮 are basically available at every store, and we bought them near the main entrance. It just so happened to be the weekend, and there were really a lot of people
📸tips: Don't just stand at the main entrance to take pictures, come in and you can go up the small stairs on both sides of the main entrance to the second floor, the pictures taken from there are even better! It perfectly avoids the crowd, and the scenery is very prominent, and you can also take pictures at the corner of the stairs~
What's great is that when we arrived, we just caught the start of the light show across the street. We went to see it first, and the light show with music had a strong Chaozhou flavor.
It's a pity that it was a bit rushed. When coming back, I saw everyone checking in at Chaozhou on social media. There are so many places I want to go to experience the shock of Chaozhou's fire jumping tradition
Passing by Chaozhou·Guangji Bridge
Guangji Bridge, formerly known as Kangji Bridge, Dinghou Bridge, and Jichuan Bridge, commonly known as Xiangzi Bridge, and also referred to as Chaozhou Xiangzi Bridge, is located outside the east gate of the ancient city of Chaozhou, Guangdong Province. Spanning the Han River, it connects the east and west banks and was a vital thoroughfare from ancient Guangdong to Zhejiang. It combines the features of beam bridges, pontoon bridges, and arch bridges, making it one of the eight scenic spots in Chaozhou and a unique example in the history of Chinese bridges.
After the Spring Festival, a friend invited me to visit the Chaoshan area to see the local customs, and Guangji Bridge is a must-visit spot. This bridge is quite special; you must visit it once during the day and again at night. Why?
Weekend Destination—Chaozhou
🏞️ Recommended Attractions
Chaozhou Ancient City: Stroll through the quaint streets and alleys, feeling the weight of history and the depth of culture.🏯
Guangji Bridge: This ancient stone bridge has witnessed the prosperity of Chaozhou, and its night lights are even more breathtaking.🌉
Pai Fang Street: Twenty-two archways line this street, each telling a historical legend of Chaozhou.🎎
🍜 Must-try Delicacies
Chaozhou Beef Balls: Chewy texture, delicious soup, definitely a foodie's favorite!🍡
Chaozhou Clay Pot Porridge: Rich and fragrant porridge with generous ingredients, heartwarming and stomach-warming.🥣
Chaozhou Kway Teow: Smooth kway teow paired with rich soup, every bite is satisfying.🍜
🎨 Unique Experiences
Chaozhou Hand-drawn Teapot: Experience the joy of making a teapot by hand, and feel the charm of traditional craftsmanship.🍵
Chao Embroidery: Learn the art of embroidery, stitch by stitch, and take home a piece of art that's uniquely yours.🌸
📝 Tips
Chaozhou's weather is changeable, remember to bring rain gear and sun protection.☂️🌞
Respect local customs and habits, travel civilly, and protect the environment.🌳
🎉 Chaozhou awaits your exploration, come and feel the unique charm of this city! Start your Chaozhou journey now!🚀
Chaozhou Gourmet Check-in Edition
🤪Ever since I played the 'Flying Over Guangdong' attraction at the Sunac Park in Guangzhou, I've been incredibly attached to the Guangji Bridge 🤩
Today, I finally got to see the connection of those 18 boats
1⃣️ Guangji Bridge, one of the famous ancient bridges in China, has a middle section made up of 18 shuttle boats linked together to form a pontoon bridge that can open and close. When large ships or rafts need to pass, the pontoon boats in the middle can be disconnected to allow passage. There's a local saying: 'A trip to Guangdong is incomplete without visiting Chaozhou; a visit to Chaozhou is in vain without seeing the bridge.' So my trip was not in vain, as every day at 17:30, part of the boats in the middle section are moved aside to let the big ships through! Of course, I had to watch this before leaving, 🎫 tickets are 20 yuan per person, available upon arrival! The ticket also comes with a postcard, postage included, and I've already sent it back home and received it!
2⃣️📍Chaozhou Clay Pot Porridge, don't eat at the shops near the scenic area, they're not good at all. Walk a bit further to find food, obviously I ate near the scenic area, but then a kind young lady told me the above, friends, you'll have to search on your own
3⃣️📍Paifang Street, truly lives up to its reputation, walk all the way to the 'Number One Scholar' 🥇 archway at the end, endless archways, you must walk to the end! Walking down the street feels like Guangzhou's Shangxiajiu, haha, since I'm here, I've checked in!
4⃣️Try a Chaozhou tea drink: 📍'Xi Pian · Chao San Yi' Their tea jelly is very delicious, and they also offer express delivery! If you come to the ancient city, why not look for them? Here's the young lady I mentioned, she recommended to me where to find delicious clay pot porridge, want to know? Go find her, find her shop!
5️⃣Xima Road Snack Street
Super many snacks, and various internet-famous shops
✅ Cheap egg wine ✅ Kick peach ✅ Chaozhou fermented bean curd chicken wings ✅ Braised goose ✅ Licorice fruit🍉……
6️⃣Chaozhou West Lake
Near Xima Road, a local park, just stroll around
Additionally, there are many electric bicycles🚲 that need to be returned to designated locations. Once you reach Xima Road and the vicinity of the ancient city, you can't ride anymore, everyone please pay attention⚠️
In Chaozizhou
Phoenix Mountain, where people's hearts are fiery, by the Han River, where the shores are adorned with irises and orchids.
It is said that in Chaozizhou, the tides ebb and flow, and the collision between the river, the sea, and people's hearts has been through countless changes. Here, filial piety and loyalty are the essence of heritage, perseverance and struggle are the philosophy of survival, tea is the way to enlightenment, food is the means to fame, tradition is the belief, and simplicity is the way of life.
Kaiyuan Temple, Guangji Bridge, Thai Buddha Hall, the city's riverfront is uniform in appearance, with gold lacquer wood carvings and Chaozhou embroidery ceramics, all of which highlight the profound cultural heritage of this ancient city. Beef hotpot, Du Longsheng's pickles, rice noodle rolls, kung fu tea, and aged tangerine peel, all amaze with the local flavor of life. This land, nurtured by the waves, has its own unique charm and romance, simple yet bold. You should know, here, there are not so many flavors of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy—
Only the incomparable freshness.
Chaozhou Shantou, a two-day journey enjoying both delicious food and scenery
🌟**Weekend trip to Chaozhou➕Shantou, indulge in a two-day and one-night journey of food and scenery! 🚌**
🚄**Day One: Exploring Chaozhou**
Depart from Fuzhou by high-speed train🚅
8:38-11:24 Arrive at Chaoshan Station
🚖Take a taxi to the city center for a hearty lunch (Chaoshan Station is located between Chaozhou and Shantou, carpooling is the most convenient)
- Discover the mysterious beauty of the Thai Buddha Temple
- Stroll across Guangji Bridge, feeling the vicissitudes of history
- Wander through Paifang Street, experiencing the charm of the ancient city
🍜**Chaozhou food recommendations:**
Beef stir-fried with rice noodles, oil mandarin juice, oyster omelette, beef balls, fermented bean curd chicken wings, spring rolls, almond tea, salty rice dumplings (Don't forget to try them!)
🌇After dinner, head to Shantou
Taste delicious dinner in Shantou (Beef hotpot is a must-try, for detailed strategies please refer to the previous notes~)
🌞**Day Two: Enjoying Shantou**
- Check into a Shantou hostel, experiencing the local life atmosphere
Have a delicious lunch (Try the tasty beef brisket rice)
- Take a leisurely walk in Shantou's Little Park, feeling the tranquility and beauty
🍲**Shantou food recommendations:**
Taro in syrup, Old Four's fruit juice ice, Old Hu's sweet soup, bean paste milk (Delicious flavors that are unforgettable)
🚗**Afternoon free exploration, tasting local snacks**
Prepare to return to Fuzhou at 5 o'clock
- Taste the big tree rice noodle rolls
- Try a cup of authentic Chaozhou tea (Huangpi water)
- Experience the cultural charm of Chengchuan tea treatment
🛴**Tips:**
There are QR code scooters on the road, making travel more convenient! Two days on the weekend are definitely enough~ Let's seize every wonderful moment! 🌈
🌟**Summary**
A two-day and one-night trip to Chaozhou➕Shantou is not only a journey of food but also a relaxation and enjoyment of the soul. This weekend, let us together feel the weight of history, appreciate the local customs, savor authentic food, and create our unforgettable memories. Looking forward to exploring with you and enjoying this wonderful journey! 🌺🌄
Travel Notes of the Ancient City - Guangji Bridge
After visiting Han Ci, I went to Guangji Bridge, which integrates beam bridges, pontoon bridges, and arch bridges. It is a unique example of ancient bridges in China, known for its 'eighteen ferry boats and twenty-four islets' style. Along with Zhaozhou Bridge, Luoyang Bridge, and Lugou Bridge, it is hailed as one of the four great ancient bridges in China. The famous bridge expert Mao Yisheng praised it as 'the world's earliest lift bridge'.
Walking on Guangji Bridge, you can get close to the Han River, feel the river breeze, and appreciate the live performances of intangible cultural heritage inheritors and master craftsmen of Chao embroidery and hand-pulled pottery.
Guangji Bridge
A one-day tour of Chaozhou with me guarantees no dining mishaps
A one-day foodie itinerary in Chaozhou:
Departing from Xiamen, Chaozhou Station is your first stop, just an hour's drive away.
🚗 Take a taxi straight to Guantang Brothers Beef Hotpot (main store), where the hotpot is really delicious! Highly recommended! The average cost per person is over 70 yuan, the beef is tender and fragrant, and you must visit the main store!
🏯 Next, head to the Thai Buddha Temple, dress up in ancient costumes for a photo shoot📸 A wonderful experience for just 40 yuan for a costume rental.
🛵 Then take a 15 yuan trishaw across the river to Paifang Street; the 'Qicong Song Licorice Fruit' at the entrance of Paifang Street is the tastiest, you can't go wrong choosing it! It's much cheaper than in Xiamen and even more delicious!
🚲 Ride an electric tricycle to tour the ancient city of Chaozhou, 40 yuan per person on average. You can visit more distant attractions, stop whenever you want, and get explanations: visit Jia Di Alley to see the mansion of a top official; make a prayer at the ancient Kouchi Temple, wash your hands in the ancient well for clear vision; visit the Fuma Mansion (super photogenic at the entrance); then ride back to Paifang Street.
🍽 Randomly find a small shop along the way to try the Fucheng fermented tofu chicken wings➕ Lao Wei Almond Tea, a bit regretful, ate too much, should have saved some room for dinner.
🍵 Take a walk to Guangji Tower, to see the Guangji Bridge; afterwards, visit Tianyuan Temple, and nearby 'Tianshan Chaoming' to drink authentic Chaozhou Kungfu tea, the peach-flavored tea is so delicious! An entire afternoon and you'll feel completely relaxed!
🦀 Finally, head to 'Yuan Dan Wine Ingredients', recommended by local friends as the best raw marinated shop, and indeed they were right, the raw marinated crab paste is only a hundred yuan or so, and it's incredibly tasty! Then, take away food from the nearby 'Xikou Liu Bu Goose Meat Shop', have porridge with goose meat and goose liver, oh my, so tender and fragrant!
🍊 Buy a cup of fresh squeezed kumquat juice at the intersection, then take a taxi to the high-speed train station to go home. The high-speed train at seven something arrives in Xiamen at eight something.
For friends with limited free time, such a one-day round trip is perfect! Although it's only an hour's drive, it's actually a cross-provincial trip! Got to eat everything I wanted! Saw everything I wanted to see! Perfect!
Chaozhou Three-Day Two-Night Food and Sightseeing Guide (Part 1)
I've longed to visit Chaozhou, and I finally managed to arrange the trip✈️
Although three days and two nights is not a lot of time, I was able to satisfy my cravings and sightseeing desires😌. The only downside was the weather; it was overcast and rainy☔️. Weather really does play an important role when going out to have fun~
🚘Transportation: Day one Nanjing✈️Jieyang🚕Shantou
Day two Shantou chartered car tour around Nan'ao Island, circling the island, then off to Chaozhou
Day three Chaozhou🚕Jieyang✈️Nanjing
🏨Accommodation: Shantou——Junhua Haiyi Hotel, just a five-minute walk to Longyan South Road, convenient for ordering takeout, with butler service in the hotel, which is quite considerate. However, the hotel is clearly dated, with older facilities.
Chaozhou——Tengrui Crown Hotel, quite new, we stayed on the 38th floor with a nice view, the room environment and facilities were great~ The service was okay, not as considerate as the butler service in Shantou.
🎈Fun: Shantou——Strolled around the Little Park and Shantou Travel Agency, quite leisurely, good for taking photos, but the ferry ride back and forth didn't seem very interesting.
Nan'ao Island——The chartered driver took us around for a check-in tour, there are many scenic spots, but unfortunately the weather was bad, so we just took photos for check-in. Nan'ao Island's beaches are nice, we could bring kids here in the future and stay on the island for a night.
Chaozhou——Hanwen Gongci and Guangji Bridge are worth visiting, they have a strong sense of history and are close to each other, the light show on Guangji Bridge is quite stunning! Paifang Street is full of merchants, similar to Nanjing's Laomendong
😊Chaozhou is really delicious, with historical sites, culture, and natural scenery. Next time, I'll wait for good weather and come to play again👋
The Guangji Bridge of Chaozhou, with its eighteen ferry boats and twenty-four pavilions, is a calling card of the city and a witness to history
The Guangji Bridge, also known as Xiangzi Bridge, was built during the Southern Song Dynasty, initiated by the then prefect Zeng Wang. It is one of China's four great ancient bridges, alongside the Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Luoyang Bridge. The Guangji Bridge is the first open-style bridge in Chinese history. The middle section is made up of small boats linked together to form a pontoon bridge. When there are boats on the river, the pontoon opens to allow them to pass. Once the boats have passed, the pontoon is closed again, continuing to serve as a convenient bridge for the people to cross the river.
The Guangji Bridge was built during the Southern Song Dynasty, but due to the great contributions of Han Yu to Chaozhou, the people of Chaozhou are willing to regard the Guangji Bridge as part of his legacy. Therefore, the Guangji Bridge is also known as Xiangzi Bridge, as Xiangzi was Han Yu's nephew and one of the Eight Immortals, Han Xiangzi. Legend has it that Han Xiangzi and Guangji Monk worked magic together to build the bridge, but due to some mishaps, the middle section could not be completed, so eighteen ferry boats were used instead. This legend expresses the people of Chaozhou's commemoration of Han Yu.
The current Guangji Bridge was completed in 2007, with a total length of 518 meters. It is a national AAAA tourist attraction and the calling card of Chaozhou city.
📍Detailed address: Huan Cheng East Road, Chaozhou City, opposite the Guangji City Tower of the ancient city.
💰Ticket price: Free for those over 60 years old with ID card. 20 yuan for others.
🚉Transportation strategy: 1. Take the high-speed train to Chaozhou for tourism, and get off at the Chaoshan Station. After leaving the station, there is a Chaoshan tourist bus that can take you there. Or you can take a taxi directly to Guangji Bridge.
2. Fly to Jieyang Airport, take the airport bus to Chaozhou city center, then walk to Guangji Bridge.
3. Drive to Guangji Bridge scenic area. Please note that the nearby area is the ancient city of Chaozhou, and parking is extremely limited. You need to park in a parking lot 2 kilometers away and then walk to Guangji Bridge.
⏳Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
🌟Special attractions: 1. The pontoon bridge. The eighteen ferry boats mentioned in the Chaozhou folk song 'Eighteen Ferry Boats and Twenty-Four Pavilions.' In ancient times, eighteen boats were connected to form a pontoon bridge. Now there are more than eighteen boats, but the function is the same as in ancient times: when there are boats on the Han River, the middle of the pontoon bridge opens like a sluice gate to allow the boats to pass. The current opening time for the Guangji Bridge's pontoon bridge is from 5 pm to 6 am the next day.
2. Pavilions and towers. The 'Twenty-Four Pavilions' mentioned in 'Eighteen Ferry Boats and Twenty-Four Pavilions' refer to some pavilions and towers on the stone bridge surface on both sides of the pontoon bridge. There were twenty-four in ancient times, hence the name. These pavilions not only shelter pedestrians from wind and rain but were also important places for business in the past. In ancient times, Guangji Bridge was a bustling commercial hub and an important source of tax revenue for Chaozhou. Now these pavilions have been restored to their ancient appearance and utilize Chaozhou's characteristic wood carving craftsmanship, making them highly artistic.
3. The oxen. 'Eighteen Ferry Boats and Twenty-Four Pavilions, two oxen take a stroll.' This bronze ox is the one mentioned in the latter part of the rhyme. Originally there were two, but one fell into the Han River and was later found upstream. The remaining one stands on the Guangji Bridge, watching the endless flow of the Han River.
4. Exhibition halls. Several pavilions on the Guangji Bridge have been converted into exhibition halls, displaying Chaozhou's characteristic folk traditional crafts, such as wood carving, embroidery, straw painting, and so on.
Chaozhou's Guangji Bridge: A Comprehensive Guide to the 'Bridge-Dismantling' Ritual Day After Day
Chaozhou's must-visit spot, the Guangji Bridge, is one of China's 'Four Ancient Bridges' and has been praised by bridge expert Mao Yisheng as 'the world's earliest open-close style bridge.' It was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1171).
👏 A full-day Guangji Bridge itinerary:
➡️ Pass through the ancient city and cross the Guangji Tower in the morning to see the boats come together to form the bridge
➡️ Spend 20💴 for a ticket to cross the bridge
➡️ Walk across the bridge to the Hanwen Gong Temple on the opposite bank, which is good for a half-day visit
➡️ Return from Guangji Bridge and enter the ancient city through the Xia Shui Men Tower into Paifang Street
➡️ Enjoy delicious food and stroll along Paifang Street in the afternoon
➡️ Watch the free Guangji Bridge light show at night
❓Do you need to buy another ticket to return from Hanwen Gong Temple across Guangji Bridge? ‼️ How to get a free pass ⚠️ Remember this:
When you walk from the Guangji Tower side to the exit on the Hanwen Gong Temple side
▶️ Find a staff member and show your Hanwen Gong Temple reservation page
▶️ They will direct you to the ticket office on the left side of the exit to register and get a stamp
▶️ On your return, you can cross the bridge for free with the stamped Guangji Bridge ticket and the Hanwen Gong Temple ticket (free of charge)!
(Note: It is not clear if this is still possible on holidays)
🚢 The floating bridge connection times are as follows:
February 1st—October 31st: 10:00—17:30
November 1st—January 31st: 10:00—16:30
⚠️ Note on holidays and weekends: 9:00—17:30
🌟 If you want to see the boats come together in the morning, you should arrive at least 40 minutes before the above connection times. (Don't be like that silly kid who arrived at 9:30 on the weekend thinking they could see it...)
🌟 If you want to witness the 'bridge-dismantling,' just get there before the last connection time. (Arriving early means shivering in the cold wind for nothing, like that silly kid named Jin Zhu La Mu...😂)
🎆 Guangji Bridge light show times and viewing spots at night:
Every night at 8:00 PM
Weekends at 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM
You should at least arrive 20 minutes early to secure a good spot (from Guangji Tower to Xia Shui Men Tower side, enjoy the view from the side of Guangji Bridge).
With this guide, you'll save at least 20 bucks and a lot of precious time. I've taken the detours so my 'jewels' don't have to.👏🌞
I am Jin Zhu La Mu, welcome to follow ♥️ and experience a different world together ✈️
Guangdong - Chaozhou
Chaozhou Travel Itinerary for One or Two Days
1. Guangji Bridge: One of the four great ancient bridges of China, located outside the east gate of the ancient city of Chaozhou in Guangdong Province, spanning the Han River. It was a vital passageway from Guangdong to Fujian and Zhejiang in ancient times and is one of the eight scenic spots of Chaozhou;
Night view with light show + you can go on the bridge during the day
2. Chaozhou Ancient City: Stay inside the ancient city to enjoy Dancong Kungfu tea + Chaozhou snacks
3. Paifang Street: About two hours of sightseeing should suffice, shop for Chaozhou Kungfu tea sets + Phoenix Dancong, it's good
4. Kaiyuan Temple: Said to be the most prosperous temple, but very suitable for taking photos and checking in;
Chaozhou Guangji Bridge | The real "burning bridges"
Guangji Bridge, one of the four ancient bridges in China, is also the first drawbridge. The bridge is connected every morning and disconnected at five or six in the afternoon.
Guangji Bridge has two ticket gates, tickets can be purchased on both sides, one is outside the water gate coming out of Paifang Street, and the other is on the side of Hanwen Gong Temple.
Transportation:
Self-driving (Didi): Because there are a lot of people on Paifang Street, it may not be easy to find a parking spot, you may have to drive to the side of Han Gong Temple.
Bus: Chaozhou buses are not punctual, not very convenient, it is recommended to check the platform~
Tricycle: If you come from the urban area of Chaozhou, you can choose to take a tricycle, very comfortable, 5/10 yuan.
🎫Tickets (stop selling at five in the afternoon)
Adults 20 yuan, free for those under 1.2m
Half price for minors/elderly/students...
"Chaozhou's eight scenic spots are good and romantic, eighteen shuttle boats and twenty-four continents, twenty-four towers and twenty-four styles, two cattle and one slip"
🧸There are different Chaozhou intangible cultural heritage displays or sales on the tower, such as wood carving, embroidery, clay sculpture, etc.~
🎐The cattle is at the entrance on the side of the water gate
There are a lot of people on weekends, especially tour groups, you can rub a tour guide to learn a little about the related history and culture~
Summary of the most popular activities in the Chaoshan area during the 2024 Spring Festival and Lantern Festival
The Chaoshan area is known as the most festive area in China. Every time the Spring Festival comes, it is a mix of various folk activities. Many unique folk activities have become national intangible cultural heritage. Here I have summarized the time and location of the major popular activities in 2024 for you. To visit the Chaoshan folk customs, this one is enough!
Lunar New Year's Day 3 (2.13) Huage Building New Year Blessing Activity, Huage Building Scenic Area, Dapu County, Meizhou
Lunar New Year's Day 1 to 8 (2.10-17) Chaozhou Ancient City Intangible Cultural Heritage Fair, Guangji Bridge, Han Wen Gong Temple, Chaozhou City, etc.
Lunar New Year's Day 1, 2 (2.10, 2.11) Buma Dance, Lion Dance, Drum Team Performance, Shangdong Village, Dacheng Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 2, 3 (2.11, 2.12) 8 pm, Tiezhi Puppet Show, Tang Boyuan's Former Residence (Yuewenfang), Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 4 (2.13) Chao Opera Chao Qu Concert, Yuewenfang, Cultural Square, Fengcheng Park, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 5 (2.14) Traditional Lion Dance Dragon Dance Show, People's Square, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 10 (2.19) Ying Dance Performance, Shuangluo Village, Dongshan Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 10 (2.19) Dragon Parade, Bashang Community, Shangrao Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 10 (2.19) Dragon Parade, Xukeng Village, Shangrao Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 10 (2.19) Qiaolin Fireworks Fire Dragon, Qiaolin Township, Jieyang City
Lunar New Year's Day 11 (2.20) Grinding Lord Activity, Tiepu Village, Tiepu Town, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 12 (2.21) Drum Team Parade, Lane Xia Village, Guantang Town, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 13 (2.22) Dragon Parade. Cultural Square, Maozhi Community, Shangrao Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 14 to 15 (2.23, 2.24) Lantern Festival, Dachanglong Village, Puning City
Lunar New Year's Day 15 (2.24) Dragon Dance Performance, Fengling Village, Sanrao Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 15 (2.24) Puzhai Fireworks Fire Dragon, Puzhai Town, Fengshun County, Meizhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 15 (2.24) Traditional Dragon Dance Drum Parade, Yangcipu Village, Raoyang Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 15 (2.24) Traditional Dragon Dance Drum Parade, Lanwu She Village, Yang Town, Raoping County, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 15 to 18 (2.24-27) Big Pig Race Activity, Xinheng Town, Jiedong County, Jieyang City
Lunar New Year's Day 16 (2.25) Jumping Fire Stack Camp Lord Activity, Zhanlong West Village, Zhanlong Town, Puning City
Lunar New Year's Day 16 (2.25) Ying Dance, Mazha Village, Puning City
Lunar New Year's Day 16 (2.25) Walking Cane Lane Folk Activity, Xikou Village, Linxi Town, Chaozhou City
Lunar New Year's Day 17 (2.26) Big Pig Race Activity, Guanshan Village, Chenghai District, Chaozhou City
Chaozhou One-day Tour - Delicious Food and Beautiful Scenery
Chaozhou one-day tour guide, delicious food + beautiful scenery, average 200get|||🏠Accommodation:
It is recommended to arrange in Chaozhou Ancient City, it is very convenient to go out for eating, drinking and having fun~
🌟Tour route:
You can start the day with a serving of rice noodle roll in the morning, no need to specifically pursue internet-famous shops, I ate at a small alley's 【Water Mill Rice Noodle Roll】7💰 a serving, drenched in satay + peanut sauce, full of energy to start the day.
📍【Tianhou Palace】
You can pay attention to the porcelain inlay on the roof, it is a national intangible cultural heritage, absolutely beautiful~🆓
📍【Guangji Gate】【Guangji Bridge】
A little further ahead is Guangji Gate, right opposite is Guangji Bridge, it is recommended to queue up before 10 o'clock, go up the bridge at 10 o'clock, occupy a good position and you can watch the bridge building from 10:00 to 10:30, it's really shocking! 20💰
📍【Han Wen Gong Temple】
A public temple commemorating Han Yu, one of the eight greats of the Tang and Song dynasties, the content in the Chinese textbooks suddenly comes alive, and it's very photogenic, very suitable for ancient costumes🆓
📍【Kaiyuan Temple Thai Buddha Hall】
The exotic atmosphere is full, it's really like Thailand🇹🇭, there are Dai costumes for rent at the entrance, the photo📷 effect is great~🆓, taxi starting price
📍【West Horse Road】
After playing a round in the morning, you can stop for lunch, West Horse Road is really delicious! Taxi starting price
【Yongji Snack Shop】 (Salted Egg Yolk Roll) A bit expensive but it has its reasons~6.5💰
【Wu Jinping Snack Shop】 (Spring Roll) The skin is very crispy, the filling inside is very rich, super satisfying with one bite! 3💰
【Old Four Wheat Cake】 (Taro Paste Wheat Cake) (Red Bean Paste Wheat Cake) Very glutinous and fragrant, 5💰 each. It is recommended to try both, both are very delicious~
【Eighteen Curves Fish Dumplings】 (Family Reunion) Inside there are fish noodles, fish balls, fish dumplings, very fresh and chewy! 27💰
📍【Paifang Street】
After eating a round like this, you can arrange a digestion route in the afternoon, go to Paifang Street for a stroll, 22 archways with different styles are very interesting~ Click a bunch of photos📷
📍【Jiadi Lane】
Take a detour to Jiadi Lane, the ancient residential houses in Chaozhou are very interesting, the entrance is super beautiful~
📍【Yiyuan】
The outside is bustling, here is quiet, the exclusive garden of Chaozhou~8💰
📍【Idle Teahouse】
If you're tired, you can sit down and have a cup of tea, the tea in Chaozhou is really not falsely reputed~ Set meal 83💰
📍【Zhenhai Tower】【Xu Fuma Mansion】
Both are quite close, you can go by the way~🆓
📍【Guantang Brothers Beef Hot Pot】
Next, reserve time to eat a beef hot pot recommended by the locals in Chaozhou, blind order is all delicious😘😘😘 average 80💰, frugality depends on the person!
📍【Guangji Bridge Light Show】
The light show starts at 8 o'clock in the evening, I declare that Guangji Bridge is the most surprising place of this trip! As one of the four famous bridges, the light show is really worth the trip~ Go early to occupy a good position~
A 3-day 2-night trip to Chaozhou for parents costs only 500 per person without stepping on any landmines
🌈 How long has it been since you last traveled with your parents? Take some time in March-April to accompany your parents, 🌆 the number of people in Chaozhou will be less during this period! The experience is better than usual holidays! Take your parents to experience the small town stories, stroll in Paifang Street🏝️, Guangji Bridge, Kaiyuan Temple... and other tourist attractions
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💁🏻【Three-day two-night itinerary】
Day🚏1️⃣:
Paifang Street (free) → Kaiyuan Temple (free) → Xima Road (snack street) → Chen Weinan Cultural Museum (free) → Zhenhai Tower (free) → Xu Fuma Mansion (20 yuan) → Chaozhou West Lake (free)
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Day🚏2️⃣:
Beige Buddha Lamp (10 yuan) → Yiyuan (10 yuan) → Guangji Tower (10 yuan) → Guangji Bridge (20 yuan) → Watch the light show at Guangji Bridge at night (free) → North Bank Road Night Market at night
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Day🚏3️⃣:
Phoenix Island Park free) → Hanwen Gongci → (free) → Huiru Park (free) → Thai Buddha Hall (free) → Danfuyuan (40 yuan)
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👼Tips: Don't worry about the itinerary being too full! Chaozhou attractions are basically in the ancient city area! And they are all next to each other! It takes 1-5 minutes to walk to the next scenic spot! 🛎️【Recommend parents to stay around Chaozhou Ancient City】
❤️Chao Hotel Fangju|Downstairs is Paifang Street
🧡Chao Hotel·Jianju |100 meters walk to Kaiyuan Temple
💛Lane Morocco |One minute walk to Chaozhou Zhenhai Tower
💚Xiermon Meisu |Multiple room types to choose from! Free parking!
💙Binjiang Meixi|Budget hotel! Student party charge!
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💁🏻Precautions
①Have a planned itinerary to make parents feel involved.
②Guided by parents' interests and hobbies.
③Parents have pocket money to avoid inability to pay by phone
④Prepare some medicines, don't forget to bring the medicines that parents usually take.
⑤Bring more warm clothes in winter, and mosquito repellent in summer.
⑥Take more photos of parents and take more photos with parents.
⑦Don't argue with parents in public.
⑧You can walk a little slower, be more patient.
⑨ Do not act separately from parents.
⑩Transportation is mainly fast and comfortable
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【Recommended food shops🚏】
🍧South Gate Xieji
🍤Mr. Braised Goose
🧁Old Zhang Gu Shop
🍲Red Head Boat Raw Pickle
🍪Li Ji Snacks
🍎Old Fan Guest Licorice Fruit
🥔Phoenix Floating Tofu
🥟Eighteen Curves Fish Dumplings
🍢Ming Ji Snacks
🍖Cai Bo Traditional Snacks Glutinous Rice Pig Intestines
🧇Kaiyuan Road Salt Water Gu
🫢Chaozhou Special Snacks (recommended to eat on Xima Road):
Sesame tea, fried chicken wings, fish dumplings, pig's trotters, bamboo shoots, wheat cakes, turnip balls, spring rolls, cake rolls, oyster pancakes, ... and so on
China's four ancient bridges, how many have you visited
Guangji Bridge (commonly known as Xiangzi Bridge) on Hanjiang River outside Chaozhou Ancient City, a key cultural relic protection unit in the country. The bridge combines beam bridge, pontoon bridge, and arch bridge, and is known as one of the four ancient bridges in China together with Zhaozhou Bridge, Luoyang Bridge, and Lugou Bridge, and is the earliest open and close bridge in the world.
Guangji Bridge was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, and it was an important transportation hub for Fujian and Guangdong. By the Ming Dynasty, it formed a unique style of "eighteen shuttle boats and twenty-four states". Because the pavilions on the bridge are different in shape and are also used for business, it is also known as "a mile-long bridge and a mile-long market", and there is a saying that "if you don't go to the bridge when you go to Chaozhou, you will have a wasted trip".
In 2007, the restored Guangji Bridge, with the combination of beams and boats, the reconnection of the pavilions, and the elegant shape; the couplets and plaques are beautiful and the calligraphy is vivid.
The above is the official introduction.
The photo was taken in Chaozhou Ancient City in June 2021. 2021 was my last year of work. At that time, I was going to Guangzhou for a meeting from Shanghai, so I flew to Chaozhou first, and then went to Zhanjiang. I kind of miss this kind of mixed business and private journey.
I have also visited all the attractions in Chaozhou Ancient City, but the most outstanding one is Guangji Bridge.
I have also visited the other three famous bridges. Among them, Lugou Bridge was only visited last year, although I worked in Beijing for three years twenty years ago.
Zhaozhou Bridge is in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang, and I went there specially. I just have some doubts whether it counts as an ancient bridge, or a newly built bridge in the style of an ancient bridge - its old components are stored in a house, and it seems that they are not used on the current bridge.
Luoyang Bridge is in Quanzhou, among the many attractions in Quanzhou, it is also a very distinctive and must-visit one.
How many of these four bridges have you visited, let's talk in the comments section.
Chaozhou Guangji Bridge Light Show
I've been in Chaozhou for several days, eating and drinking, and I will come here tomorrow to experience Chaozhou culture, walk around Paifang Street, and eat. I really like it! Feel the different cultural characteristics and food elements of each region. I came to Guangji Bridge early in the morning to take aerial photography, and continued to take aerial photography at night. It's a different feeling, but I didn't capture the opening and closing of the floating bridge...
Chaozhou | Drawbridge - Guangji Bridge
I recommend the drawbridge in Chaozhou - Guangji Bridge, with a beautiful environment and unique features, it is a must-visit spot in Chaozhou. Here is the guide:
Attraction Name: Guangji Bridge
Opening Hours: 10:00-16:30
Guangji Bridge, also known as Kangji Bridge, Dinghou Bridge, Jichuan Bridge, and commonly known as Xiangzi Bridge, is one of the four famous ancient bridges in China, a national 4A scenic spot. It has a unique geographical location and is the most distinctive bridge in the history of bridge construction in our country, comparable to Zhaozhou Bridge and Lugou Bridge.
Guangji Bridge is located outside the east gate of the ancient city of Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, spanning the Han River, connecting the east and west banks, combining beam bridge, pontoon bridge, and arch bridge. It was an important transportation hub from ancient Guangdong to Fujian and Zhejiang, with a unique architectural style, blending nature and history. It is connected by 18 shuttle boats and has been praised by bridge expert Mao Yisheng as 'the world's earliest drawbridge'.
Guangji Bridge reflects the wisdom of the ancient Chinese people, known as 'the first bridge in the south of the Yangtze River', 'the world's earliest drawbridge'. It was built in the Southern Song Dynasty. When opened, it has the functions of navigation and flood discharge. When closed, it connects the east and west banks, facilitating traffic.
Recommended food nearby: Abin Beef Hot Pot (Guangji Bridge Store)
Recommended accommodation nearby: Chaozhou Yingzhou Design Hotel
Location: Opposite Guangji Gate City Tower on Huancheng East Road, Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou City
Transportation: Convenient public transportation, parking available for self-driving
Thousand-year-old bridge - Guangji Bridge
Guangji Bridge, commonly known as "Xiangzi Bridge", is located outside the east gate of the ancient city of Chaozhou, spanning the Han River, the mother river of Chaozhou, connecting the east and west banks. It is one of the famous ancient bridges in China, along with Zhaozhou Bridge, Luoyang Bridge, and Lugou Bridge. The ancient saying "If you come to Chaozhou but not to the bridge, your trip to Chaozhou is in vain" refers to Guangji Bridge.
Guangji Bridge was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years. The bridge body integrates beam bridge, floating bridge and arch bridge. The floating bridge is composed of 18 wooden boats connected together, which can be opened and closed. It is closed during the day for pedestrians to pass through and opened at night for ships to pass through. For more than 800 years, Guangji Bridge has been the "earliest opening and closing bridge in the world".
The Liang Bridge is composed of piers, stone beams, and pavilions. The pavilions have various shapes, ingenious designs, and no duplicates, just like "twenty-four towers, twenty-four styles". The couplets, pavilion plaques, poetry, calligraphy, and painting are all exquisite and colorful. The architectural form takes the local characteristics of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth of the Chaozhou folk houses, and is unique.
The pavilions and towers on the bridge provide shelter from wind and rain for passersby, as well as serving as stalls and shops, and as a display hall for Chaozhou intangible cultural heritage, such as Tonghua vase, Chao embroidery, wood carving, and so on.
The entire Guangji Bridge, with its long bridge lying on the waves, is so breathtaking that it makes people sigh with admiration for the unseen dragon.
Guangji Bridge
A Chaozhou must vist
The bridge in Chaozhou is a must visit attraction, but be aware it closes at 5:30! I wanted to see it lit up, so arrived late an missed it. It still looks good from the river bank, but it isn't quite the same.
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Guangji Bridge (simplified Chinese: 广济桥; traditional Chinese: 廣濟橋; pinyin: Guǎngjì Qiáo; lit. 'Great Charity Bridge'), also known as Xiangzi Bridge (simplified Chinese: 湘子桥; traditional Chinese: 湘子橋; pinyin: Xiāngzǐ Qiáo), is an ancient bridge that crosses the Han River east of Chaozhou, Guangdong province, China. A key cultural relic under national protection, the bridge is renowned as one of China's four famous ancient bridges, the other three being Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Luoyang Bridge
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Guangji Bridge (simplified Chinese: 广济桥; traditional Chinese: 廣濟橋; pinyin: Guǎngjì Qiáo; lit. 'Great Charity Bridge'), also known as Xiangzi Bridge (simplified Chinese: 湘子桥; traditional Chinese: 湘子橋; pinyin: Xiāngzǐ Qiáo), is an ancient bridge that crosses the Han River east of Chaozhou, Guangdong province, China. A key cultural relic under national protection, the bridge is renowned as one of China's four famous ancient bridges, the other three being Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Luoyang Bridge
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Since ancient times, Guangji Bridge is located in the main roads of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi. It is the hub of the whole of Guangdong, with the borders of Fujian, Guangdong, Henan and Zhangjing. The trade is gathered and tourists are on the go. In the era when the Hanjiang water transport was developed, there were many shops on the bridge, including tea houses, wine cellar restaurants, barber shops, as well as singing and singing, playing chess, monkeys, and so on.
Because it is a hub, merchants collect materials here, salt, fish, shrimp, fruit, rice, meat, cloth, silk, iron products, wine, tea, traditional snacks, handicrafts, South Golden Candle Goods such as mountain goods, bamboo rafts, clams, firewood picks, water trucks, etc., are numerous. As a result, the prosperous Yili Changqiao Yili City was formed, and the Qingming Shanghe Map was released.
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