Friend, after watching "Grandma's Love Letter," did you feel an indescribable emotion and want to walk the road depicted in the movie yourself?
I'm a native of Chaoshan, where I grew up eating kueh teow and drinking kung fu tea. Grandma always said that Chaoshan is not just about food, but also a love letter to the world. Follow this guide, and I guarantee you'll eat happily, be captivated by the sights, and take photos as beautiful as the movie poster.
First, let's clarify the airport's location. Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport is located in Denggang Town, Jieyang City, about 40 kilometers from Shantou City, about 30 kilometers from Chaozhou City, and about 25 kilometers from Rongcheng District, Jieyang. This airport is shared by the three cities of Chaoshan, so the first thing you need to do after landing is decide which city to go to first.Taking a taxi or ride-hailing service is the most convenient.
First stop: Shantou, the hometown of overseas Chinese
Must-see attractions
Xiaogongyuan area
This is the heart of Shantou's old town, with arcade buildings radiating outwards in concentric circles, resembling a giant copper coin. The Siam Nam Cinema featured in the movie is nearby; although it no longer shows films, its exterior has been beautifully restored, making it a great spot for photos. It's recommended to go before 10 am or in the evening when the light is softest and you won't get heatstroke.
Overseas Chinese Letters Museum. Grandma often collected overseas Chinese letters, and this is their home. It contains many genuine articles; after seeing them, you'll understand why a letter could take a month or even half a year to arrive. Admission is free; remember to bring your ID.
Chen Cihong's Former Residence. Located in Qianmei Village, Chenghai District, about a 40-minute drive from the city center. Known as the premier overseas Chinese residence in Lingnan, it blends Chinese and Western architectural styles, boasting hundreds of rooms with imported patterned tiles on the floors and stained glass windows—perfect for taking photos without filters. The entrance fee is about 30 yuan, and it's worth taking an hour to explore.
Xiqi Village. Located at the border of Chao'an and Chenghai, this is where the stone bridge and banyan tree featured in the movie are situated. The village is very pristine, with few tourists. The stone paths are worn smooth by countless footsteps, and the banyan tree roots droop down to the water's surface, like a traditional Chinese ink painting. I recommend going after 4 PM; the sunlight filtering through the leaves is breathtakingly beautiful.
Shantou Hostel. That old building on Waima Road, with the words "Shantou" prominently displayed on its exterior wall. A scene from a movie was filmed here. No need to go inside; just take a picture at the entrance.
Must-Try Food
Beef Hot Pot. Shantou beef hot pot is famous worldwide, but I'm not taking you to those touristy roadside stalls. Go to Xinghua Wu Ji or Baheli, and try the hanging tenderloin, five-flower shank, and spoon handle cuts—three dips and three lifts, dipped in satay sauce, it's incredibly delicious. It costs about 80 to 100 yuan per person.
Wu Mi Guo (rice cake). The outer skin is made of potato starch, filled with chives or taro, and fried until golden brown. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A long-established shop near Xiaogongyuan (Little Park) is available for just a few yuan.
Kway Teow Soup. A bowl of this for breakfast will wake you up completely.
Licorice Fruit. Green mango, guava, and wax apple, mixed with licorice juice, are sweet and sour, perfect for cutting through the greasiness after eating something oily.
Second Stop: Jieyang - Rural Charm
Must-Visit Attractions
Rongcheng District, Zhongshan Road Arcade Street. Compared to Shantou's Little Park, this place is more down-to-earth. Grandpas drink tea at the entrance, grandmas buy vegetables at the alleyway—it's as if time has stopped in the 1970s or 80s. Free admission.
Longhu Ancient Village.Located in Chao'an District, but very close to Jieyang. The village has hundreds of ancestral halls and mansions, laid out like a nine-square grid. There's a scene in the movie filmed in the stone-paved alley of the ancient village. It's free, but some private exhibits inside might charge ten or eight yuan.
Nanyan Ancient Temple. Located in Jiedong, the temple is magnificent, with a large jade Guanyin statue on the back mountain. The environment is tranquil, perfect for quiet contemplation. Admission is free.
Must-Try Food
Longjiang Pig Trotter Rice. The origin of this dish is Longjiang Town in Jieyang. It's rich but not greasy, with a braising liquid containing over ten kinds of spices. Served with pickled vegetables and rice, and drizzled with the braising sauce, it's a very filling meal for just 15 yuan per person.
Putian Bamboo Shoot Cake. The bamboo shoots of Putian Town in Jiedong are famous for their sweetness. The bamboo shoot cake is made by wrapping and steaming, with a thin skin and delicious filling. Dipped in chili sauce, each bite releases a burst of bamboo shoot juice.
Jieyang Ping Pong Cake.The outer skin is made of glutinous rice flour, filled with crushed peanuts and sugar, and pan-fried until slightly browned. It's soft, chewy, and sweet, making a perfect souvenir.
Third Stop: Chaozhou Ancient City Culture
Must-See Attractions
Guangji Bridge. One of China's four ancient bridges. During the day, cross the bridge to see the "Eighteen Shuttle Boats and Twenty-Four Isles." At night, there's a light show, and intangible cultural heritage displays are also available on the bridge. Tickets are 20 yuan. It's recommended to enter around 4 PM and walk until dark to see the lights.
Palace Archway Street. Twenty-three archways stand in a row, each with a story behind it about a top scholar or a high-ranking official. Arcades line both sides of the street, beneath which are various snack shops and time-honored brands. Free admission.
Kaiyuan Temple. A thousand-year-old temple, very popular with worshippers, magnificent architecture, and a beautiful Jade Buddha Hall inside. Free admission, but neat attire is required.
Thai Buddha Hall. Located on the east bank of the Han River, its architectural style resembles Thailand, shimmering with gold, perfect for photos. Free admission.
Must-Try Food
Beef Hot Pot. Guantang Town in Chaozhou is known as the "Beef Street," and the Guantang Brothers Beef Shop is famous for its incredibly fresh beef, slaughtered and sold immediately. The average cost is 70 to 90 yuan per person.
Duck Mother Dumplings. Similar to glutinous rice balls, but much larger, filled with red bean paste, sesame, or taro paste, served with quail eggs and lotus seeds in a sweet soup base. A bowl of this warms you right to the core.
Oyster Omelet. Fresh oysters are fried in a sweet potato starch batter, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Dipped in fish sauce, it has a strong seafood flavor. Every stall along Paifang Street sells them; just pick the one with the longest queue.
Kway Chap. A favorite breakfast for Chaozhou people, kway chap skin is cut into strips and cooked into a paste, served with braised eggs, braised pork, braised pork offal, and braised tofu, then drizzled with braising sauce. It's savory and fragrant without being too heavy.
Fourth Stop: Nan'ao Island - Island Retreat
Must-Visit Attraction
Nan'ao Bridge. The moment you drive across the bridge, the sea and sky merge into one, instantly lifting your spirits. The toll for the bridge is approximately 96 yuan round trip; remember to prepare cash or WeChat payment.
Qing'ao Bay. The sand is fine and the water is clear, perfect for swimming and watching the sunrise. The Tropic of Cancer marker tower, "Gate of Nature," is right on the beach—a must-see for photos.
Sanchongya Lighthouse. The red and white lighthouse, perched atop the cliff with an unparalleled sea view in the background, makes for cinematic photos.
General's Mansion. Located in Shen'ao Town, this Ming Dynasty building offers insights into the history of Nan'ao's coastal defense. The entrance fee is approximately ten yuan.
Must-Try Food Seafood Feast. The seafood in Nan'ao is caught and cooked immediately. Dishes include seaweed fried rice, raw marinated shrimp and crab, sea urchin fried rice, and blanched squid—so fresh they don't need much seasoning to taste good. The average price is 100-150 yuan per person.
Seaweed Fried Rice. Nan'ao seaweed is famous for its quality. Fried rice with shrimp and egg is fragrant and flavorful with the fresh taste of seaweed.
Itinerary
Four Days Three Nights Highlights：
Day 1: Shantou. Arrive in the morning and head straight to the small park for a stroll, then eat Wumi Guo (a type of rice cake) and Lao Hu Guotiao (a type of rice noodle soup). In the afternoon, visit the Overseas Chinese Remittance Museum, followed by Chen Cihong's Former Residence. Dinner will be beef hotpot. Overnight in Shantou city.
Day 2: Jieyang. Take the high-speed train to Jieyang Station in the morning, then visit Zhongshan Road Qilou Street in Rongcheng District, followed by Longhu Ancient Village. In the afternoon, visit Nanyan Ancient Temple. Eat Longjiang pig's feet rice and Ping Pong Guo (a type of rice cake). Overnight in Jieyang or directly to Chaozhou.
Day 3: Chaozhou. In the morning, visit Guangji Bridge, stroll along Paifang Street, and eat Ya Mu Nian (a type of noodle) and oyster omelet. In the afternoon, visit Kaiyuan Temple and the Thai Buddhist Temple. In the evening, watch the Guangji Bridge light show. Overnight in Chaozhou Old Town.
Day 4: Nan'ao Island. In the morning, cross the bridge to the island, go swimming in Qing'ao Bay, visit the Sanchongya Lighthouse, and enjoy a seafood feast. Return home in the afternoon.
Three-Day Filming Locations (Simplified Version)
Day 1: Shantou City. Small Park, Overseas Chinese Letters Museum, Shantou Hotel, Chen Cihong's Former Residence.
Day 2: Chaozhou. Guangji Bridge, Paifang Street, Xiqi Village Stone Slab Bridge, Longhu Ancient Village.
Day 3: Nan'ao Island. Qing'ao Bay, Sanchongya Lighthouse, General's Mansion.
Five-Day In-Depth Version: Based on the four-day version, add one more day to visit the Jingming Hot Spring Resort or Huangmanzhai Waterfall in Jieyang, and spend another day in Chaozhou experiencing Kung Fu tea and Chaozhou embroidery.
Practical Information
Transportation. Land at Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport. For high-speed rail, choose Chaoshan Station, Shantou Station, or Jieyang Station. High-speed rail between the three cities takes only about ten minutes, very convenient. In the city center, it's recommended to take a taxi or ride a shared electric scooter; within the ancient city, everything is on foot.
Accommodation. In Shantou, stay near MixC or Small Park. In Chaozhou, stay near Paifang Street. In Nan'ao Island, stay near Qing'ao Bay.
Movie Bonus. Bring your movie ticket stub for "Grandma's Love Letters" for discounts at select attractions and intangible cultural heritage workshops; check the official movie announcement for details.
Finally, a heartfelt word:
Grandma always said, "When you're away from home, rely on friends; when you're at home, rely on yourself." But in Chaoshan, you don't need to rely on yourself; we, the locals, will take care of you. Take your time, eat slowly, and experience the place. This isn't a tourist attraction you can just visit; it's a love letter you need to sit down, have a cup of tea, and truly understand.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I'm always happy to share more of my secret recommendations for delicious food and fun places.
Have a wonderful time, fellow Chaoshan locals!
Updated:2026-08-18 19:13:46
