Eastern Guangdong Road Trip: Hakka Walled Houses to Chaoshan Ancient City
A cultural road trip along the Han River basin, from Meizhou's Weilongwu houses and tea plantations to Dapu's historic towns, and south to Chaozhou and Shantou.
Follow the Han River system from the Hakka mountains down to the Chaoshan plains. Start by exploring Meizhou's city center and the Nankou Weilongwu houses, stay overnight at the Yannanfei Tea Field, then head to Dapu to see Taian Building, Baihou, and Huage Building. Enter Chaozhou via Daoyun Building, and conclude your journey in Shantou. This self-guided driving route features gentle roads and is perfect for those interested in traditional architecture and local cuisine. It skips Nanao Island to dedicate more time to historic buildings.
Meizhou is best visited from March to May and October to December. Mid-summer is hot and rainy.
Day by day
Day 1 · Hakka Capital Old Town & Hakka Museum
Meizhou & Dabu（Qianfo Pagoda Temple、China Hakka Museum & Renjinglu、Meizhou Old Qilou Streets）
Arrive at Meizhou West Railway Station, pick up your rental car, and drive to the city center (approx. 40 mins). Sights within the city are a 10–15 minute drive apart.
Stay: Meijiang Arcade Old Street
Day 2 · Nankou Weilongwu to Yannanfei
Meizhou & Dabu（Nankou Qiaoxiang Village、Yannanfei Tea Field、Qiaoxi Ancient Village）
Drive to Nankou in the morning (approx. 40 mins). Drive to Yannanfei in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour) and walk through the tea plantations inside the scenic area.
Stay: Yannanfei & Yinna Mountain Area
Day 3 · Yinna Mountain, Marshal Ye's Former Residence & Songkou
Meizhou & Dabu（Lingguang Temple & Mount Yinna、Ye Jianying Memorial Park、Songkou Ancient Town）
Drive from Yinna Mountain to Yanyang (approx. 20 mins), then head north to Songkou (approx. 30 mins). Drive to Dapu county seat in the evening (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Hu Liao, Dabu County Town
Day 4 · Taian Building, Baihou & Huage Building
Meizhou & Dabu（Tai'an Lou、Pingshan Terraced Fields、Huae Lou、Baihou Ancient Town）
Drive from the county seat to Taian Building (approx. 10 mins), then continue through Baihou to Pinshan and Huage Building (approx. 70 km total). Return to Baihou for the night.
Some of the traditional residences are still inhabited; please be respectful when visiting.
Stay: Baihou Ancient Town
Day 5 · Daoyun Building to Chaozhou Ancient City
Chaoshan (Shantou & Chaozhou)（Daoyun Lou Round House、Chaozhou Old Town & Paifang Street、Guangji Bridge）
Drive from Baihou to Daoyun Building in Sanrao (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Chaozhou (approx. 1.5 hours). Park your car outside the city walls.
Mountain roads lack streetlights in the evening; try to head down the mountain early in the afternoon.
Stay: Paifang Street, Chaozhou Old Town
Day 6 · Chaozhou Ancestral Temples to Shantou Old Town
Chaoshan (Shantou & Chaozhou)（Kaiyuan Temple, Chaozhou、Jilue Huang Ancestral Hall、Chen Cihong Former Residence、Shantou Xiaogongyuan Historic District）
Explore the ancient city on foot in the morning. Drive to Chen Cihong Former Residence in the afternoon (approx. 50 mins), then continue to Shantou Old Town to check in (approx. 40 mins).
Stay: Xiaogongyuan Treaty-Port District, Shantou
Day 7 · Qiaopi Heritage & Laomagong Temple
Chaoshan (Shantou & Chaozhou)（Shantou Qiaopi Museum、Old Mazu Temple & Laomagong Stage、Cunxin Shantang Charity Hall）
Explore the historic streets of the old town on foot in the morning. Drive to Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour) to return your car and depart.