China Cidu Exhibition Hall in Chaozhou

Chaozhou Ancient City (潮州古城), also known as “Fengcheng” (凤城), is located in the Xiangqiao District of Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China. This city is a historical and cultural landmark, known for its deep cultural heritage. The city is renowned for its unique combination of Minnan culture, Hakka culture, Cantonese culture, and Chaozhou-Shantou culture, as well as its rich historical sites and beautiful ancient architectural clusters. Covering an area of approximately 3 square kilometers, the city boasts over 720 meticulously planned streets and alleys, with many ancient residential buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Chaozhou Ancient City, with a history of over 2,000 years, has long been a political, economic, and cultural center in the region. It is considered the birthplace of global “Chao culture” and is known by nicknames such as “Linghai Famous State” and “Seaside Zou Lu.”

History and Development

Chaozhou Ancient City was established during the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the sixth year of the Xianhe period (331 AD). The city is a remarkable example of ancient urban planning, featuring a historical spatial layout known as “outer curves and inner squares, with four horizontal and three vertical streets.” Over the centuries, Chaozhou has preserved numerous ancient buildings and historical relics, which not only have high historical value but also reflect the wisdom and artistic talent of the people of Chaozhou.

In 2019, the city was selected as one of the first pilot units for the Guangdong Province Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Demonstration Area by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. From January 19 to February 6, 2024, the “Thousand-Year Charm, Grand Chaozhou” Lantern Festival was held in the ancient city.

Geography and Environment

Location

Chaozhou Ancient City is located in the eastern part of Guangdong Province, positioned at the middle and lower reaches of the Han River (韩江), a major river in the region. The city serves as an important gateway connecting eastern Guangdong with Fujian Province and overseas trade. The city’s terrain is characterized by a higher northern region and a lower southern region. The northern part is mainly mountainous, while the central area consists of hills, and the southern part is a plain formed by the alluvial deposits of the Han River.

Chaozhou is bordered by Zhaoxian and Pinghe Counties in Fujian to the east, Jieyang’s Jieyang East District to the west, Meizhou’s Fengshun and Dapu Counties to the north, and the South China Sea to the south, where it connects to Shantou City and Chenghai District. This strategic location has made Chaozhou an important hub for trade and cultural exchange.

Climate

The city enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures, abundant rainfall, and year-round greenery. This climate is conducive to farming, with four seasons ideal for cultivation.

Water Systems

Chaozhou is mainly reliant on the Han River, which runs diagonally from the northwest to the southeast of the city. The river not only provides essential water resources but also supports the city’s development and water transportation.

Scenic Sites and Attractions

Famous Landmarks

• Guangji Bridge (广济桥): Known as the earliest movable bridge in the world, Guangji Bridge was built during the Tang Dynasty (738 AD). It is a combination of a beam bridge, arch bridge, and floating bridge.
• Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺): Built in the 26th year of the Tang Kaiyuan era (738 AD), this ancient temple remains a key site in Chaozhou.
• Jiluohuanggong Ancestral Hall (己略黄公祠): A classic example of Qing Dynasty ancestral halls in Chaozhou.
• Fenghuang Mountain (凤凰山): The highest peak in Chaozhou, standing at 1497.8 meters above sea level.

Ancient Residences and Buildings

The ancient residence cluster of Chaozhou, located in the southern part of the city around the Ximen Street historical area, covers an area of approximately 1.8 square kilometers. This area contains 14 ancient houses that represent the architectural styles of the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods. The layout of these buildings is based on traditional Chaozhou elements such as courtyards, back rooms, fire alleys, studies, and gardens.

These buildings, which are examples of Chaozhou’s architectural prowess, feature exquisite wood and stone carvings, ceramic decorations, and painted murals. They represent the lifestyle of various social groups, including government officials, scholars, and wealthy merchants. This cluster was listed as a national key cultural heritage site in 2013.

Climate and Water Systems

Chaozhou has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, which contributes to its lush greenery and abundant rainfall, making it a favorable region for agriculture throughout the year. The city’s main waterway, the Han River (韩江), is essential for the local economy and cultural development.

Historical Significance and Preservation

Chaozhou Ancient City has a history of over 1,600 years and has served as a political, economic, and cultural center in the eastern Guangdong region. Historically, it has been a trading hub for the Han River basin and a starting point for overseas trade. In 1986, Chaozhou Ancient City was recognized as a national historical and cultural city by the government of China.

In the modern era, efforts to preserve Chaozhou’s historical sites have included renovations of key landmarks such as the Guangji Bridge, which was transformed into a motorable bridge in 1958. A complete restoration of the bridge was conducted in 2003, and it reopened to the public in 2007, earning a place as a famous architectural landmark in Chaozhou.

Important Landmarks 

Chaozhou Ancient City Wall 

The history of the Chaozhou Ancient City Wall (潮州古城墙) dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Initially, it was a rammed earth wall, but during the Song Dynasty, it was replaced with ceramic bricks. By the Southern Song Dynasty, the wall had expanded to about 5.3 kilometers long, with 11 gates in total. The wall was rebuilt with stone during the Ming Dynasty and underwent further repairs in the Qing Dynasty.

In the early years of the Republic of China, the wall was gradually dismantled to accommodate roadways and other urban developments. However, a 2,100-meter-long section of the wall along the riverbank has been preserved and is still used for flood control. When floods from upstream threaten the ancient city, the former defensive structure now serves as a levee, protecting the city from the waters. [13]

Guangji Bridge 

Guangji Bridge (广济桥) is hailed as the world’s first movable stone bridge and is considered one of China’s Four Great Ancient Bridges, alongside Zhaozhou Bridge, Luoyang Bridge, and Lugou Bridge. Historically, the mail route through Chaozhou was an essential passageway connecting the southeastern coastal regions of China, including Fujian, Zhejiang, Beijing, and Tianjin. However, the Han River, which flows through Chaozhou, had long been an obstacle to this important transportation route.

To solve this issue, in 1171, Zeng Wang, the governor of Chaozhou during the Southern Song Dynasty, proposed the creation of a floating bridge using 86 boats. A large stone pier was built in the middle of the river to stabilize the floating bridge, laying the groundwork for the construction of the permanent Guangji Bridge. This bridge is an engineering marvel and a symbol of Chaozhou’s ingenuity in overcoming natural barriers. [14]

Paifang Street 

Paifang Street (牌坊街), also known as Taiping Road (太平路), was once the central thoroughfare of the ancient Chaozhou city. According to historical records from the Song and Yuan Dynasties, such as the “Sanyang Zhi” (三阳志), this street was a crucial passage connecting different parts of the city. It was originally flanked by four towers at the corners of Taiping Bridge, with two channels on either side, and was home to the government’s administrative street, known as “guan jie” (官街).

In modern times, Paifang Street became synonymous with Taiping Road, which remains one of the main streets in the old city. It was historically adorned with numerous paifangs (traditional archways), which were symbols of prosperity and respect for ancestors or important events. According to Chaozhou historian Chen Xianwu, who studied the local records, there were a total of 570 paifangs in the city. Of these, 103 were located within the 3.3 kilometers of the city walls, averaging 29 paifangs per square kilometer. On the 1.6-kilometer stretch of Taiping Road alone, there were 43 paifangs, one every 35 meters. These archways contributed to the city’s architectural grandeur and cultural significance. [15]

Value and Significance 

Chaozhou Ancient City (潮州古城) preserves its traditional “outer curves and inner squares” layout, offering a glimpse into its historical urban planning. The city is rich in cultural heritage, boasting nine national key cultural heritage sites and 22 points of interest. Inside the ancient city, visitors can find numerous historical relics such as ancient paifangs, old government buildings, and traditional residential houses.

The city retains a wealth of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings that showcase the unique architectural style of Chaozhou, characterized by exquisite craftsmanship, elegant proportions, and harmonious integration with the environment. Chaozhou’s cultural heritage extends beyond its architecture to its living traditions, such as the Chaozhou dialect, Chaozhou music, Chaozhou opera, Chaozhou wood carving, Chaozhou kung fu tea, and Chaozhou cuisine. These practices have been passed down through generations and continue to shape the daily lives of the local population.

Because of its outstanding preservation of cultural traditions and its role in maintaining a living connection to ancient Chinese culture, Chaozhou has been described by sinologists as “a living fossil of Chinese ancient culture.” [10]

Travel Information 

• Opening Hours (开放时间): Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Ticket Information (票价信息): Free entry.
• Transportation (交通路线): Take bus route 101 (towards Han Shi Dormitory) from Chaozhou Station, get off at Chengnan Primary School Station, and walk 927 meters to reach the ancient city.