Itinerary guide

5 Days in Shantou & Chaozhou with Nan’ao Island

If this is your first trip to China, this 5-day route gives you time for arcade streets, a sea day and an old town. You’ll follow Shantou → Chaozhou, with arrival and departure days counted in the plan.

  • 5 days
  • 2 cities
  • Check conditions for your chosen dates
  • Moderate pace
  • 2 min read

By Sarah Wong

Guangji Bridge spanning the river in Chaozhou
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Shantou3 nights
  2. Chaozhou1 night
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
Arcade streets, a sea day and an old town
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Shantou → Chaozhou

Introduction

You don’t need to fit every nearby attraction into one trip. This route follows Shantou → Chaozhou, with 4 nights and clear space for arrival, departure and changes of base.

Arcade streets, a sea day and an old town. The daily suggestions keep the focus on one or two outings rather than a long sightseeing list. Adjust optional walks to your energy, and treat travel days as travel days.

This is a planning guide rather than a booked package. Confirm connections, accommodation, opening arrangements and any reservations for your actual dates. The 5 days begin on arrival in China; international flights may need additional travel days.

Day-by-day itinerary

Shantou

Days 1 – 3

Time for Shantou

Use Shantou as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 1Shantou: Arrive and settle in

    Arrive in Shantou and take time to settle in. Keep the rest of the day light so you can rest after the journey. Route: Arrival point to your accommodation in Shantou Stay: Shantou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    An ornate red pavilion in Shantou’s Xiaogongyuan area
    • Overnight in Shantou

  2. Day 2Shantou: Walk the old arcade streets

    Explore Shantou's Xiaogongyuan area at an easy pace. The streets are the focus today, with room to stop rather than add distant excursions. Route: Xiaogongyuan, Shantou Stay: Shantou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    An ornate red pavilion in Shantou’s Xiaogongyuan area
    • Overnight in Shantou

  3. Day 3Shantou: A day beside the sea

    Head to Nan’ao Island, with Qing’ao Bay as the main stop. Choose just one extra pause along the way and return to Shantou afterwards. Route: Qing’ao Bay, Nan’ao Island Stay: Shantou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Waves rolling onto the shore at Qing’ao Bay
    • Overnight in Shantou

Chaozhou

Days 4 – 5

Time for Chaozhou

Use Chaozhou as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 4Shantou to Chaozhou: A short outing after the move

    Travel from Shantou to Chaozhou, allowing time to settle in. Keep Chaozhou Ancient City and Guangji Bridge as a short, optional outing. Route: Shantou to Chaozhou via Chaozhou Ancient City and Guangji Bridge Stay: Chaozhou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A stone gateway in Chaozhou Ancient City
    • Overnight in Chaozhou

  2. Day 5Chaozhou: Leave room for departure

    Leave Chaozhou according to your onward travel plans. Keep the day clear for packing and the journey to your departure point. Route: Your accommodation to your departure point in Chaozhou Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Guangji Bridge spanning the river in Chaozhou

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Shantou → Chaozhou with the overnight bases listed separately, so you can see where each change of accommodation belongs.

    • Room for the journeys

      Arrival, departure and transfer days count towards the total. They are not treated as extra full sightseeing days.

    • A focused daily plan

      Give the main outing time, then decide on optional walks according to your energy rather than adding every nearby attraction.

    Before you go

    • Confirm each connection

      Choose intercity and local connections for your travel dates, including station or airport transfers. The suggested transport modes are not booked services.

    • Reservations and opening arrangements

      Check each attraction’s current opening arrangements and reservation process before fixing the order of your days.

    • Images and editorial review

      Images are AI-edited previews based on historical location photographs. Usage rights and visual details await review. Travel-day photographs illustrate the destination, not a promised visit.

    Sources

    Plan My Trip