Meizhou

Meizhou is usually cooler in the mornings and evenings in autumn, so bring a light jacket.

Meizhou retains a strong Hakka culture. With its relaxed pace, it is well suited to a short three-day, two-night trip.

• China Hakka Museum: The only museum in the world dedicated to the Hakka, introducing the origins and development of the Hakka people. Admission is free, but advance reservations are required.

• Thousand-Buddha Pagoda: This ancient temple is built against the hillside and houses a thousand-Buddha iron pagoda from the Southern Han period. Climb up in the evening for views over Meizhou, with free admission.

• Songkou Ancient Town: Once an important departure point for Hakka people heading overseas to Southeast Asia, the town has well-preserved century-old arcades and an old wharf. With relatively little commercial development, it is ideal for a leisurely stroll.

• Yannanfei Tea Garden Scenic Area: Vast tea fields spread across the hills. You can sample tea, hike, and enjoy a setting that combines tea plantations with Hakka architecture.

• Jiaying Ancient City (Jiangbei Old Street): Built in 1932, this arcade-lined street stretches for about 1,000 meters and still shows the street scenes of the Republican era. It is especially pleasant to visit after the lights come on at night.

• Dongshan Academy: This Qing dynasty academy is known for its red walls, green tiles, and Zhuangyuan Bridge. It was also Marshal Ye Jianying's alma mater, making it a good place to learn about local culture and garden architecture.

Three-Day, Two-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Old City Heritage Tour
  • Morning: There is no need to leave too early. Start with pickled noodles and Sanjidi soup at an old neighborhood shop, then visit the Thousand-Buddha Pagoda to pray and take in the temple surroundings.

• Afternoon: Visit the China Hakka Museum and take your time exploring. Then walk to Dongshan Academy and Renjinglu to learn about the lives and aesthetic tastes of Hakka scholars.
  • Evening: Explore Jiaying Ancient City and Jiangbei Old Street. See the arcade-lined streets at night along Lingfeng West Road, then head to Youluo Street Night Market to try snacks such as abacus beads, fairy grass jelly, and glutinous rice cakes.

• Day 2: Songkou Ancient Town and Tea Fields
  • Morning: Drive yourself or hire a car to Songkou Ancient Town; the trip from downtown takes about 40 minutes. Visit the Fireboat Wharf and century-old arcades, stroll along the river, and learn about the local history of migration overseas to Southeast Asia.
  • Afternoon: Head to the Yannanfei Tea Garden Scenic Area and walk through the tea fields. Then stop at a teahouse to taste Meizhou dancong tea, taking the tour at a relaxed pace.

• Evening: Return downtown and dine at a Hakka restaurant, trying salt-baked chicken, stuffed tofu, and pork belly with preserved mustard greens.

• Day 3: Ancient Village or Hot Springs
  • Option A (Ancient Village Visit): Go to Baihou Ancient Town in Dabu County, or visit Hualou Tower. This round tulou was also used as a filming location for *Big Fish & Begonia*, and offers a chance to learn about Hakka homes and Southeast Asian-style architecture.

• Option B (Hot Spring Break): If you want to avoid long journeys, soak in the thermal mud hot springs in Wuhua County, rest, and then begin your return trip.

Meizhou Food

Meizhou cuisine is mainly Hakka, with savory, aromatic seasoning that emphasizes the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Qinyan Shaomai: Pickled noodles with Sanjidi soup is a common combination. The shumai contains crisp bamboo shoot pieces, and this is a long-established shop popular with locals.

• Weilong House Xingyuan Restaurant: Specializing in Hakka banquet-style dishes, it serves salt-baked chicken, steamed double meatballs, stuffed tofu, and bamboo shoot cakes. It also receives good service reviews.

• Hongwu Snowflake Ice Room: Located on Jiangbei Old Street, it serves milky shaved ice with generous toppings. The matcha snowflake ice and ice drinks are good for a break while exploring the street.

• Wenji Food Stall: A popular local food stall. Stir-fried pork intestines with pickled vegetables, stir-fried snails, and bitter bamboo shoot soup all have a strong wok aroma. The stall opens at 5:30 p.m.; arriving early is recommended.

• Sanmei Old House Fresh Salt-Baked Chicken: The chicken is prepared to order and has a rich aroma. The rice noodles absorb the savory flavor of the chicken-fat broth, and many visitors buy portions to take home.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Accommodation: Consider staying around Jiaying Ancient City or along the Mei River, such as near Lingfeng West Road, where evening walks and dining are convenient. There are plenty of guesthouses and hotels nearby. When visiting Yannanfei, you can also stay at an upscale hotel near the scenic area.
• Transportation:
  • Getting there: High-speed trains from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Meizhou West Station take about 2 to 2.5 hours. Driving takes about 4 hours from Guangzhou and about 3 hours from Shenzhen.
  • Getting around the city: Shared electric bikes are convenient and flexible within the urban area. Riding along the river in the evening is also comfortable.
  • Travel between counties: Songkou Ancient Town, Yannanfei, and Dabu are relatively far from downtown, so driving or hiring a car is recommended. Local car rental services are well developed, costing about 200 to 300 yuan per day.

Travel Tips

• Reservations: The China Hakka Museum is free to enter, but reservations must be made in advance through its official WeChat account. It is closed on Mondays, so keep this in mind when planning.
• Footwear: Some attractions require walking or climbing slopes, such as the Thousand-Buddha Pagoda. Wear non-slip flat shoes. The stone paths in the old streets may be slippery at night, so watch your step.
• Weather: Autumn temperatures from September to November are about 20 to 27°C. Add a light jacket in the morning and evening. In summer, use sun protection and mosquito repellent when visiting tea fields or ancient villages.
• Souvenirs: On your way home, you can buy salt-baked chicken, candied pomelo peel, Hakka niangjiu rice wine, and bamboo shoot cakes. Some bamboo shoot cakes come vacuum-packed for easy transport.