The offshore city of Shantou in southern China is easily accessible.
Its Waisha Airport is located northeast of the city and is served
by more than forty airlines to cities foreign and domestic. The
modern facilities at busy Waisha allow quick and efficient movement
of goods and passengers. The 'Guangzhou-Meizhou-Shantou' Railway
traverses Shantou and extends to the middle and eastern parts
of Guangdong Province. It also links up with the 'Beijing-Kowloon'
Railway that runs across nine provinces and numerous cities. This
comprehensive rail network enables tourists to reach Shantou from
most cities in China.
Another method of getting to Shantou is by long distance bus.
There are several national highways emanating from Shantou to
west, north and south. Shantou has six stations operating buses
every day to neighboring cities and counties.
Shantou has long played an essential role in transporting goods
to other ports in China. Recently, its passenger transport business
has experienced rapid growth. Shantou International Passengers
Port has ships to many cities in Hainan Province as well as other
cities including Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Other ports have shorter
cruises to nearby counties and cities.
There's a variety of ways to explore Shantou. City buses are
the most economical choice ranging from CNY1 to CNY6 for a whole
journey. Of course, taxis are available. While more comfortable
and convenient than the buses, Shantou taxi rates are relatively
higher than those of most Chinese cities. Another interesting
way is to go by boat. There are several cruise boats that will
take you to tourist destinations such as Que Shi Scenic Spot
and Nan Ao Ecological Tourist Area. Cruises around the harbor featuring
the ship named 'Golden Phoenix' are worth trying, although they
are only available in the summer.
The following pages will present more detailed information about
getting to and around the city.