Chaozhou Ancient City

Overview

Chaozhou Ancient City, also known as “Fengcheng” (凤城), is located in the Xiangqiao District (湘桥区) of Chaozhou City in Guangdong Province (广东省潮州市湘桥区), China. This city is renowned for its profound historical and cultural heritage, making it one of the most important historical and cultural cities in the country. The ancient city is known for its unique blend of Minnan culture (闽南文化), Hakka culture (客家文化), Cantonese culture (广府文化), and Chaoshan culture (潮汕文化), rich historical landmarks, and exquisite ancient architecture. Spanning about 3 square kilometers, the city retains more than 720 meticulously designed streets and alleys, mostly from the Ming (明) and Qing (清) Dynasties, as well as a large number of ancient residential buildings from these periods.

Chaozhou Ancient City has a history of over 2,000 years and was once the capital of several ancient states. It is the birthplace of “Chao culture” (潮文化) and is often referred to as a “famous coastal city of the Lingnan region” (岭海名邦) and “the coastal Confucian city” (海滨邹鲁).

Historical Significance

Chaozhou Ancient City, established during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (东晋) in 331 AD, has served as an important political, economic, and cultural hub in Guangdong’s eastern region throughout history. It has also been a critical commercial center in the Han River Basin (韩江) and a starting point for overseas trade. The city’s layout has preserved its historical character, and it remains a vital symbol of the region’s cultural evolution.

In 2019, Chaozhou Ancient City was included as one of the first pilot sites for the Guangdong Province’s demonstration area for cultural heritage preservation and utilization, according to the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (广东省文化和旅游厅). Additionally, during the Lantern Festival in 2024, the “Millennium Charm: The Beauty of Chaozhou” lantern exhibition (千年神韵·大美潮州) was held, showcasing the beauty of the ancient city through stunning lantern displays.

Geography and Climate

Chaozhou Ancient City lies in the southeastern part of Guangdong Province, nestled along the middle and lower reaches of the Han River (韩江). It serves as an important port city along the coastal region of Guangdong. The city’s geographical location makes it a key junction linking Guangdong Province with Fujian Province (福建), as well as a major gateway for overseas connections.

The city has a typical subtropical monsoon climate (亚热带季风气候), characterized by mild temperatures, abundant rainfall, and lush greenery throughout the year. The Han River, the second-largest water system in Guangdong, provides essential water resources for the city and facilitates its thriving commerce and transportation system.

Architectural and Cultural Heritage

Chaozhou Ancient City is home to various historical buildings and landmarks, showcasing the region’s rich architectural and cultural history. Among the highlights are the historical residence clusters found in the south gate, the historical districts such as Xufu (许府) and the old west gate streets, covering approximately 1.8 square kilometers. These structures predominantly reflect architectural styles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as the Republican era.

These ancient residential buildings are considered masterpieces of traditional Chinese architecture, characterized by features such as courtyards, stone carvings, wood carvings, and ceramic decorations. These structures are spread across streets like Guzuo Lane (辜厝巷), Zhengzuo Lane (郑厝巷), and Jiadix Lane (甲第巷). The architectural layout of these residences tells the story of different social classes, from scholars to wealthy merchants, and serves as a testament to the craftsmanship of ancient Chaozhou people.

The famous Guangji Bridge (广济桥), a combination of a stone beam bridge, an arch bridge, and a floating bridge, is renowned as the earliest opening and closing bridge in the world, praised by renowned bridge expert Mao Yisheng (茅以升). Originally built in the Tang Dynasty (唐朝), it holds historical significance for its engineering ingenuity.

Notable Historical Sites

• Guangji Bridge (广济桥): Often considered the world’s first opening-and-closing bridge, this remarkable structure was initially built in 738 AD during the Tang Dynasty. The bridge combines several types of bridges and represents a significant achievement in Chinese bridge construction.

• Kaoyuan Temple (开元寺): Established in 738 AD, this temple stands as a key landmark representing Chaozhou’s cultural and religious history. Located in the heart of the ancient city, the temple is still a significant pilgrimage site.

• Ancient City Walls (潮州古城墙): The city walls of Chaozhou date back to the Tang Dynasty (唐朝). Initially built with rammed earth, the city walls were reconstructed during the Song Dynasty (宋朝) using brick and stone. During the Ming Dynasty (明朝), they were fortified with stone, and during the Qing Dynasty (清朝), additional improvements were made. Today, only a portion of the ancient city walls remains, serving as a historical landmark and a flood barrier.

• Paifang Street (牌坊街): This ancient street is lined with traditional Chinese archways known as “paifang,” which are famous for their intricate carvings and inscriptions. Historical records reveal that there were once 570 archways within the city, but only 43 archways remained along Taiping Road (太平路). The street was a central axis of Chaozhou’s old city and still reflects its grand history.

Modern Preservation and Development

In 1995, the city of Chaozhou introduced its first city protection plan, emphasizing the conservation of the ancient city while encouraging modern development in other parts of the city. The plan sought to retain the historical charm of the city by preventing large-scale urban construction projects within the ancient city limits. In 2018, a second phase of the city protection plan was launched, focusing on preserving and revitalizing the historical and cultural resources surrounding the city, including the Hanjiang Ancient Post Road (韩江古驿道).

Chaozhou Ancient City continues to thrive as a tourist destination, offering both historical and modern attractions. In 2024, the Lantern Festival “Chaozhou’s Thousand-Year Charm” helped further enrich the city’s night-time tourism offerings, establishing it as an ongoing cultural celebration.

Chaozhou Ancient City (潮州古城) is not only a city steeped in over 2,000 years of history but also an exemplary model of cultural heritage preservation. Its rich cultural heritage, unique architectural beauty, and strategic location make it an invaluable part of China’s historical legacy. As the city continues to blend its ancient roots with modern development, Chaozhou Ancient City remains an enduring symbol of the harmonious coexistence between history, culture, and progress.