Shantou, China
Region: Guangdong
Geographic Coordinates: 23.373500, 116.694000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Climate: Shantou has a subtropical monsoon climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The rainy season is from May to September, with typhoons possible in late summer.
Population: 4312192
Language: Mandarin
Shantou is a city located on the southeastern coast of China in Guangdong Province. It has a population of over 5 million people and is famous for its beautiful beaches, Bustling port, And rich cultural heritage. Nan’ao Island is one of the most popular attractions in Shantou due to its stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming, Diving, And other water activities while taking in the natural beauty of this island paradise. Mount Nanshan Scenic Area is another must-see attraction that features breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys as well as ancient temples and pagodas.
Shantou’s history dates back to ancient times when it was known as Chaoyang during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). The city later became an important trading center during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) due to its strategic location on the coast. Today, Shantou remains an important economic hub for southern China with a thriving manufacturing industry that produces textiles, Electronics, Chemicals, And food products. The city also has a rich cultural heritage that can be seen throughout its architecture, Art galleries, Museums, And theaters.
One notable example is Gu Shan Theater which features traditional Chinese opera performances passed down through generations. In addition to its natural beauty and cultural significance, Shantou also offers visitors authentic Cantonese cuisine such as seafood dishes like steamed crabs with ginger sauce or stir-fried shrimp with garlic sauce. Other popular dishes include braised pork belly with preserved vegetables or roasted goose served with rice noodles. Overall, Shantou offers visitors an exciting blend of history, Culture, Nature, And culinary delights making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking adventure off-the-beaten-path within China’s vast landscape!
Important Landmarks
- Chaoshan Railway Station
- Jinping Mountain National Forest Park
- Shantou Seaside Resort
- Queshi Scenic Area
- Shantou Museum
- Nan’ao Island
- Chenghai Lake
- Guangji Bridge
- Zhongshan Park
- Tashan Park
Primary Industries
- Textile manufacturing
- Electronics manufacturing
- Toy manufacturing
- Food processing and packaging
- Shipping and logistics
- Tourism and hospitality
- Real estate development
- Education services
- Financial services
- Construction materials production
Noteable History
- The Opium Wars: Shantou was one of the five treaty ports established by the British after the First Opium War (1839-1842) and was a key location in the Second Opium War (1856-1860).
- Lin Zexu: A prominent Chinese official during the Qing Dynasty who played a major role in opposing opium trade and confiscating opium in Guangzhou. He was exiled to Yili, Xinjiang after his efforts failed.
- Huang Feihong: A martial artist and revolutionary who was born in Shantou. He is considered a national hero for his contributions to Chinese martial arts.
- Chen Yi: A Chinese military leader who played an important role in both World War II and the Chinese Civil War. He served as governor of Guangdong province, which includes Shantou.
- Deng Xiaoping: A prominent politician and reformer who led China from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. Deng visited Shantou twice during his tenure as leader.
- Chaoshan Airport Incident: In 2002, a passenger plane crashed while attempting to land at Chaoshan Airport near Shantou, killing all 62 people on board.
- Typhoon Hato: In August 2017, Typhoon Hato hit Shantou causing widespread damage and flooding.
- Chen Jingrun: A mathematician known for his work on number theory who lived in Shantou during his childhood years before moving to Beijing where he made significant contributions to mathematics.
- Lin Yutang: A writer, literary translator, linguist, and inventor born at Banzhang village, some distance away from downtown Shantou city. He is best known for his novels ‘Moment In Peking’ and ‘The Importance Of Living’.
Sports Teams
- Shantou Dongfeng Nissan Football Club: The football club was established in 1994 and plays their home games at the Shantou Sports Center Stadium. They have participated in the Chinese Football Association Jia League (second tier) and earned promotion to the Chinese Super League (top tier) for the first time in 2020.
- Shantou University Basketball Team: The basketball team of Shantou University is one of the most successful university teams in China. They have won numerous championships at both provincial and national levels, including three consecutive championships from 2003-2005.
- Shantou Ping Pong Team: Table tennis is a popular sport in China, and Shantou has produced some talented players who have represented their country on international platforms. One notable player is Chen Qi, who won gold medals at both World Championships and Olympics.
- Guangdong Southern Tigers Basketball Club: Though not exclusively based out of Shantou, Guangdong Southern Tigers are one of China’s most prosperous basketball clubs with over ten CBA titles to their name since its inauguration back in 1991.
- Chaozhou Yuetai F.C.: Another football club located near to Shantou City that has been an essential part of regional football for many years since it was established back around 1951-1952 under different names before being renamed Chaozhou Yuetai F.C.
Cultural Events
- The Shantou International Kite Festival is an annual event that takes place in April, where kite enthusiasts from all over the world gather to showcase their unique kites.
- The Shantou Chaoshan Cultural Festival celebrates the local culture of Chaoshan, which includes music, dance, food, and traditional crafts.
- The Shantou Dragon Boat Festival is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (usually in June) and features dragon boat races and other cultural activities.
- Celebrated during the Chinese New Year period (usually in late January or early February), the Shantou Lantern Festival features colorful lantern displays and traditional performances.
- Held annually in November, the Shantou Food Festival showcases local cuisine and attracts foodies from all over China.
- The Shantou International Marathon is an annual event that brings runners from around the world to compete in a scenic marathon course through the city’s streets and parks.
- The Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Culture Expo is a cultural exhibition that highlights the history and significance of Guangdong’s maritime silk road trade route with Southeast Asia and beyond.
Cuisine
- Chaoshan Beef Hotpot (潮汕牛肉火锅)
- Oyster Omelette (蚝仔煎)
- Teochew-style Braised Duck (潮州卤鸭)
- Shantou Fried Rice Vermicelli (汕头炒米粉)
- Shacha Noodles (沙茶面)
- Steamed Fish with Soy Sauce and Ginger (清蒸鱼)
- Seafood Porridge (海鲜粥)
- Teochew-style Fish Balls Soup (潮州鱼丸汤)
Some popular restaurants in Shantou for these dishes include:
- Yumin Restaurant (玉敏楼) for Chaoshan Beef Hotpot
- Xinghua Village Oyster Omelette Restaurant(兴华村蚝仔煎店) for Oyster Omelette
- Tongxin Teochew-style Braised Duck(同心潮州卤味店)for Teochew-style Braised Duck
- Laozhang Fried Rice Vermicelli(老张沙茶炒米粉)for Shantou Fried Rice Vermicelli
- Wenhua Sandaomen ShaCha Noodles(文化三道门沙茶面馆)for Shacha Noodles
- Huaji Seafood Restaurant(花吉海鲜大排档)for Steamed Fish with Soy Sauce and Ginger and Seafood Porridge
- Xinrongji Teochew-style Fish Balls Soup(新荣记潮州小食店 )forTeochew-style Fish Balls Soup
Parks and Recreation
- Zhongshan Park
- Queshi Scenic Area
- Shantou Bay Park
- Nanhu Park
- Shantou Forest Park
- Jinsha Bay Beach Resort
- Xisha Wetland Park
- Daxuecheng Cultural and Sports Center
- Shantou International Tennis Center
- Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum
- Shantou Children’s Palace Cultural and Sports Center