Travelling from province to province in a massive country such as China can prove to be a challenging task, such as requiring good planning and domestic flights. But if one plans carefully and if the stars align, a quick drive is all that’s needed for a change of scenery.
Just three hours away from Xiamen, along the coast of the South China Sea, is the Teochew enclave of Shantou. Like Xiamen, Shantou is the charming ancestral home to many overseas Chinese migrants of Teochew origins. This coastal city is where one can immerse in the beauty of Teochew culture, from its traditional operatic arts to sipping tieguanyin oolong tea, which it is famous for. In collaboration with Singapore Airlines, here’s our guide to Shantou to get you going.
Indulgence: CHANGPING LAOZI NIANGYEZHOU
There’s nowhere better to try authentic Teochew cuisine than Shantou — this is after all, the homeland of Teochew culture. For porridge, head over to this humble eatery which takes this quintessential Teochew dish to the next level – thanks to its massive array of traditional items. There are several options of porridge apart from the white rice version most people are accustomed to, giving tourists a deeper purview of true Teochew porridge. To heighten the experience, there is a section dedicated to seafood which are caught daily off the coast of Shantou to pair your porridge with – cooked to order for maximum freshness.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 24/7
Address: 38 Zhangping Road, Jingping District, Shantou
Indulgence: LIN MANSION
This upmarket establishment is managed by the grandchildren of Lin Zi Ran, the “father of modern Teochew cuisine”. The next-generation owners have mastered Lin’s recipes and continue to showcase them on the menu, preserving Teochew cuisine through its extensive menu of hearty dishes. Some of the favourites here include snails, pig’s stomach soup and flower crabs, alongside orh nee – the familiar yam paste dessert. The latter is compulsory to have when you are at Lin Mansion, especially since the chefs prepare it the authentic way, with shallot oil and gingko nuts for a more savoury touch.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:00am to 11:00pm
Address: Block 1 2F Shop 107 Jinghui Garden, 166 Zhangping Road, Longhu District, Shantou
Indulgence: JIANYE RESTAURANT – FENGHUANG SHAN ROAD BRANCH
No visit to Shantou is complete without trying one of the city’s signature dishes –the braised goose. Jianye Restaurant is one of the best places to savour this delicacy, as it is not only prepared with a time-honoured recipe, but with geese specially reared in Shantou. The result? A fragrant, tender goose that’s so good on its own that just a bowl of hot rice alongside it is more than enough to satiate your soul.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00am – 2:00pm (Lunch), 5:00pm – 9:00pm (Dinner)
Address: 1F Heng Hui Building,10 Feng Huang Shan Road, Longhu District, Shantou
Activities: SHANTOU OLD TOWN
This face of Shantou is increasingly disappearing to give way to modernity. Shantou Old Town continues to preserve this bit of old Teochew culture. Most of the Victorian-inspired buildings in this town were constructed in the late 20th century, serving as a reminder of the city’s colonial past. While many of these buildings have become dilapidated — a stark contrast to the sea of modern fixtures around — many of its traditional shops are still running and preserving a semblance of busier times.
Address: 86 Zhiping Road, Jinping District, Shantou
Activities: SHANTOU TIANHOU PALACE
There are many temples across Shantou that are worth exploring but if time is not on your side, you can head straight to Shantou Tianhou Palace. The temple was built in the late Qing Dynasty and dedicated to the goddess Mazu for ensuring safe passage over the seas. There’s plenty to see at this temple as it was built by some of the region’s best craftsmen; expect wood and stone carvings as well as lacquer work done over some truly intricate details.
Opening hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Address: Da Jiaoshan Tianhou Road, NanshaDistrict, Shantou
Activities: NAN’AO ISLAND
Just off the coast of the city is Nan’ao Island, one of China’s most scenic islands. The island is just a short ferry or bus ride away but offers an entirely different paradise of pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. There are also areas for hiking and cycling for those who are up for a workout. Nan’ao is also home to many fishermen and fish farms who continue to harvest and provide nearby restaurants with a wide array of fresh seafood.
Getting there: Take a 40-min ferry ride from Chenghai Laiwu Port or drive over the new connecting Nan’Ao Bridge
Address: Nan’ao Country, Shantou