Shantou is situated in the southeastern corner of East Asia, on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. Boarding on the South Sea, the city is one of the most important open-to-the-world harbors both in the Guangdong Province and in China. As one of the five special economic zones of China, it uses its convenient geographic location to its advantage and has accepted many foreign investments. It currently has economic relations with 165 countries. Over 50 multinational corporations and 11 of the world's top 500 enterprises have investments in Shantou, giving the city the seventh best rate of commerce among all cities in China.
Long coastal lines and a pleasant subtropical marine climate provide the city with many charming tourist attractions. Beautiful mountains, natural beaches, and exquisite islands, together with the marine scenery that surrounds the harbor, form a breathtaking environment that is especially attractive to those who want to escape the busy life. The locals use their rich seaside resources to set up many resort villages that provide sound facilities and services for the tourists. In addition, the Tropic of Cancer traverses the city, making it a wonderful place to feel the instant alternation of spring and summer in China.
Shantou is one of the primary hometowns of Chinese who are living abroad. Shantou natives are scattered around the globe and can be found in over 40 regions and countries of the world. Those who have left the city often invest in their hometown and come back to work together with the locals. The exotic culture that they bring back to the city is then mixed with the traditional culture, forming a particular local flavor. The Chao music is well known for its dulcet melody, varying rhythms and peculiar instruments while the Chao opera is renowned for its beautiful aria and various playing roles. The Chao cuisine is one branch of the famous Cantonese cuisines. Most of the dishes are cooked with seafood and various seasonings. They taste fresh, and are light but delicious. Enjoying a cup of Gongfu tea is also popular and has become one of the most welcomed forms of nightlife among the locals.
Transportation in Shantou is quite efficient as it is easily accessible by land, sea, or air. Shantou Harbor has cargo ships that connect to over 210 harbors around the world. It also has passenger ships that sail to many of China's port cities, such as Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Hainan Island. Two of China's main railway lines traverse Shantou, making it very convenient to get to other cities by train, including Beijing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Qingdao. Shantou Waisha Airport is located 13 kilometers (eight miles) northeast of the center-city area and is a hub for 40 airlines connecting with many cities both in China and other countries including Thailand and Singapore. In addition, highways in the city are also well developed and provide easy access to Shenzhen and Xiamen. It takes only about three hours to reach the either of these cities (by long distance bus).
The hotel industry is flourishing in Shantou. You can easily find hotels and hostels of all standards throughout the city. Moreover, the rates are reasonable and relatively lower than other coastal cities in southern China. There are also various recreational places in the city. Malls, cinemas, restaurants, clubs, bars and coffee houses can be easily found everywhere in the city, which will certainly make your travel more interesting and convenient.
Shantou Tour Information:
Hiking Tour: Information about hiking in Shantou for your reference
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Travelers' Voices on Shantou City
1.
Nov. 20,2008 23:23 Reply
Mr.Joseph Loo(Singapore) said:
My wife & i had a very pleasant holiday in shantou early this month.We met some of her relatives from her village. We felt that we were back home. We will return next year and this time round, we may stay longer.
Oct. 31,2009 15:21
Ms.Tay(SIngapore) replied:
Hi Mr Loo,
I am a Singaporean going to shantou from HK next week as i am teochew (figured out that my roots are probably from chaozhou/ shantou) any suggestions on things to do and see? we would like to just immerse ourselves in the culture. and can we speak teochew the way we speak in singapore there?
2.
Oct. 24,2009 11:08 Reply
Mr.rudi(Indonesia) said:
please tell me number telepon china airlines, my uncle's ticket want to get fast early that from 16/11/2009 to change 02/11/2009 thanks
Oct. 26,2009 03:33
Mr.James replied:
hone number:
4008-100-999
3.
Oct. 6,2009 09:31 Reply
Ms.PUAHPH(Singapore) said:
I'll be going to Chaozhou/Shantou from HKG and will be travelling by coach. But the I understand that the travelling time is about 6 to 8hrs. What other cheaper alteratives to travel from HKG to Chaozhou/Shantou? I tried searching for a flight from Shenzhen to Shantou but there isn't any.
Pls advise. thanks in advance.
Oct. 10,2009 03:02
Mr.Jamie replied:
Is that longer? It seems only 4 hours for 300HKD from HKIA to Shantou by Eternal East Bus Co. from the airport. Perhaps longer, for I got the time in the website of HKIA. But the bus leaves at 7:25am. it is also needs 8 hours from Shenzhen to Shantou by train. or you can take bus from Shenzhen, which needs about 5 hours to Shantou. No other better choices.
4.
Oct. 2,2009 15:00 Reply
Mr.mevis_tay24 said:
im going to shantou from singapore.
how to get there?
xiamen or guangzhou better?
Oct. 5,2009 04:30
Mr.Jamie replied:
Xiamen is much better.
5.
Sep. 27,2009 12:05 Reply
Ms.nida (thailand) said:
i want to go shantou.how can i start from quangzhou
Sep. 29,2009 22:30
Ms.Heather replied:
At the Provincial BUs Station of Guangzhou, you could catch a bus to Shantou easily. The bus station is located to the west of Guangzhou Railway Station.
6.
Aug. 29,2009 13:30 Reply
Ms.Tay(Singapore) said:
i a currently in Hk and would like to visit Shantou. May I know the best way fo me to travel there? thanks
Aug. 30,2009 04:28
Mr.tina(cn) replied:
Hi, go to Metropark Hotel, Mongkok first. There are buses to shantou.
7.
Aug. 11,2009 12:08 Reply
Mr.Ravi(India) said:
Well Hi everybody....This will be my first employement in china. So its bound for me to be a bit apprehensive.
I have couple of queries in my mind hope somebody may respond to these questions:
1) Is wheat floor easily available in china.
2) Is 1000 USD/mth more than enough to enjoy life in china.
3) Do we see chilling winters in china especially in guagdong.
4) People in china are more inspired from british style or American style (Food, Fashion, Movies, Music)
5) How much it costs to call India from there.
6) What is the minimum duration of work visa in China.
8.
Jul. 25,2009 23:18 Reply
Mr.OikwanCheng(USA) said:
I'm new to this site and am hoping somebody can help me. My have deceased grandparents that were from a neighboring village in Shantou- name is Tsui Zhou (spelling?) I don't see it on any maps I find or any searches. Can someone heard of this villiage and tell me how I can get there from Shantou?
Jul. 29,2009 20:40
Mr.Andy replied:
Could you make sure the spelling? Village is a low administrative level, hard to find the map. If you know the exact Pinyin, it will muxt be helpful to find or deep clues anout it location.
9.
Jul. 8,2009 11:57 Reply
Mr.naveed a dillow(pakistan) said:
Hi
I want to visit in shantou city ?
My flight reached at shanghai airport and then i will stay in yiwu city,kindly suggest me for the travel from
shanghai via yiwu to shantou city by Bus and train?
Thanks
Naveed A Dhillow
Pakistan
Jul. 9,2009 22:58
Mr.Frank replied:
Shanghai-->yiwu: the Pudong Airport has two coaches to Yiwu everyday. If you miss the bus, please take the airport shuttle line 7 to reach Shanghai South Railway Station, where you could take coach or train to Yiwu directly/
Yiwu-->Shantou: seems there is no train between these two cities. So, it is suggested that you fly to Shantou from Yiwu Airport directly. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
10.
Jul. 5,2009 14:46 Reply
Mr.V V R(India) said:
Hello Friend,
First of all i should thank you for making such wonderful & informative website. Im coming to cantonec on 08-july-2009
and would stay in china for 12 days and leave back to india on 20-july-2009. In this 12 days, I should visit Shenzhen, Shantou, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yiwu. Im planning to stay on 8th July in Guanghzou at friends place or a budget hotel and leave for shenzhen next day morning,(9th July) and planned to stay in Holiday Inn Express LUOHU SHENZHEN.
Q1: What is the best & economical way to travel from guanghzou to shenzhen?( Can you arrange the transporation)
I would leave shenzhen,postlunch for Shantou and stay in shantou for 3-4 days,
Q 2: so please suggest a hotel @ USD 30 per day and from shantou, I would leave for Shanghai or Ningbo,(Can you arrange Flight Tickets), Is Flight cheaper from shantou to shanghai or shenzhen to shanghai, If shenzhen to shanghai is cheaper, i can come back from shantou to shenzhne by bus or train, isnt?
In shanghai, i have planned to stay for 2 days, I have selected few hotels, can u please recommend the best for i pay
1-WUJIAOCHANG SHANGHAI
2-PUTUO SHANGHAI
3-ZHABEI SHANGHAI
i have meeting at hogkou district,so please suggest the best one among this hotels or any other hotels too. can u please arrange the hotel booking? and also my question, i can travel by train, from shenzhen to shanghai(over nights), i cheaper than flight?
looking foward for your mail and support, i think, I can be in touch for all my travels in around china.
Jul. 6,2009 23:15
Mr.James replied:
Hello:
Q1: Guangzhou Tianhe Bus station to Shenzhen Luohu Bus Station: ticket fare about 60rmb about two hours
Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station to Shenzhen (luohu) Railway Station: inter-city bullet train ticket:75/85 rmb, one hour for the journey, other trains: 24/36, around 2 hours (Busese and trains are many and easy to get)
Q2: Suggest you go to Shanghai from Shenzhen, flights are many and cheaper, but not cheaper too much.
Shantou hotels: Shantou Coverseas Chinese Hotel, 41, Shanzhang Rd
Shanghai hotels: You mean you want an agency to arrange the hotel for you? Hotels you gave seem not the hotel names. It is the branched of Holiday Inn Express. As to the location of your meeting, you can choose the first one.