Why Shantou
Shantou, historically romanized as Swatow, is a coastal prefecture-level city situated in eastern Guangdong, China, approximately 301 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong. Located at the mouths of the Han, Rong, and Lian Rivers, the area encompasses mainland territory and offshore islands. Local terrain includes prominent peaks such as Mount Lianhua on the mainland and Mount Dajian on Nan'ao Island. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the northern portion of the city's jurisdiction, where a dedicated monument marks its path.
Originating as a fishing village during the Song dynasty, the settlement developed over centuries and was designated a treaty port open to foreign trade in 1860 following the Treaty of Tientsin. Shantou officially attained city status in 1919 and grew into a major shipping and commercial distribution hub in Southeast China. In the 1980s, it was selected as one of China's original special economic zones, and today it remains a key economic center and educational hub home to Shantou University. Culturally, the local population primarily speaks Teochew alongside Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hakka. The region is notable for a distinct tea-drinking tradition and deep historical connections to large overseas Chinese communities.
Visitors to Shantou can explore a wide variety of historical and cultural attractions. Across Shantou Harbor via the Queshi Bridge lies Queshi, a scenic park area that contains preserved structures from former American and British consulates. Within the city proper, historic sites include the old town district with its Dr. Sun Yat-sen memorial pavilion, the Palace-Temple of Old Mother dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, and the Temple of Emperor Guan. Cultural institutions include the Shantou Museum for art, the Shantou Founding Museum detailing treaty port history, and the Chaoshan Historical and Cultural Exhibition Center, which highlights local relics, folk customs, and overseas Chinese heritage.
Additional outdoor and architectural sites span across the prefecture. Key highlights include Chen Cihong's Former Residence, Shipaotai Park, Nan'ao Island, and the Tropic of Cancer Symbol Tower situated on Centipede Mountain. Coastal leisure areas include the seaside promenade along East Coast Avenue and the Golden Coast. In the evening, visitors can view light shows at Shantou Times Square.
Shantou experiences a humid subtropical climate influenced by monsoons, featuring short, mild winters and long, hot, humid summers, with roughly 60 percent of annual rainfall occurring between May and August. Air travel to the region is served by Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, which replaced Shantou Waisha Airport for commercial flights. Rail transport is available through Chaoshan, Chaoyang, and Shantou Railway Stations, while local transit includes buses, taxis, ferries, shared bicycles, and two major harbor bridges.
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