Shantou Little Park

Preface: Why Explore Shantou Little Park?

When neon lights of modern cities shimmer against carved window lattices of century-old arcade buildings, and when verandas with Nanyang (Southeast Asian) flair mingle with the aroma of Chaoshan Gongfu tea in the alleys, Shantou Little Park transcends the definition of a mere “tourist attraction.” It is China’s only radial-patterned arcade building complex, the largest surviving Republican-era commercial district on the mainland, and the “spiritual homeland” that global Chaoshan people yearn for.

This 720,000-square-meter historic district, centered around Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion, once witnessed the prosperity of Shantou Port with “ships from all nations” and carried the joys and sorrows of overseas Chinese who ventured to Southeast Asia. Today, reborn through “micro-renovation,” it has become a high-frequency keyword in Google searches for “Shantou Must-Visit” and “Deep Chaoshan Cultural Tours.” This guide will create a Shantou Little Park guide for you through five dimensions: architectural decoding, food maps, cultural experiences, photography strategies, and surrounding linkages.

Shantou Little Park: From Treaty Port to Cultural Landmark

1.Historical Context: A “Time Capsule” of Chaoshan Civilization

The birth of Shantou Little Park is closely tied to the opening of Shantou as a treaty port in 1860. At that time, red-headed junks sailed from here to Southeast Asia, and 1.4 million Chaoshan people left their hometowns to make a living, bringing back Southeast Asian architectural styles and business philosophies. In the 1930s, with Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion as the center, streets such as Anping Road, Shengping Road, and Guoping Road radiated out in a fan shape, forming the “Siyong Yishengping” commercial pattern. Buildings such as Nansheng Department Store, Wing On Company, and Laomagong Theater were completed one after another, and Shantou once ranked as the seventh largest commercial city in China, with port throughput second only to Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Key Events:

• 1932: Nansheng Department Store was completed. The seven-story building, equipped with Shantou’s first elevator, became a commercial symbol of eastern Guangdong.
• 1934: Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion was completed, inscribed with “The World is for All” to commemorate Sun Yat-sen’s three visits to Shantou.
• 1997: Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion was reconstructed, with its glazed tile roof and octagonal eaves再现 (recreating) the splendor of the Republic of China era.

1.Architectural Codes: An “Open-Air Museum” of Chinese and Western Integration

The arcade building complex of Shantou Little Park is a model of the collision between “localization” and “globalization” in modern Chinese architectural history. Its design integrates Baroque pediments, Roman colonnades, Nanyang louvered windows, and Chaoshan plaster carvings, forming a unique style of “Nanyang flavor + Lingnan charm.”

Must-See Buildings:

Building Name	Construction Year	Core Highlights
Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion	1934	Octagonal glazed tile roof, “The World is for All” inscription
Nansheng Department Store	1932	Cast-iron carved balconies, time-honored signboards
Laomagong Theater	Jiaqing Era, Qing Dynasty	Painted ceramic sculptures, Chaozhou opera performances (regular on weekends)
Shantou Post Office	1897	British-style clock tower, one of China’s first 25 post offices

Visitor Review:

“Standing at Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion and overlooking the arcade buildings, it feels like stepping into the set of In the Mood for Love. Every brick and tile tells the homesickness of overseas Chinese.” —— Ctrip user @Chaoshan Culture Enthusiast

Shantou Little Park Guide: Unlocking the Culinary Code of Chaoshan

Time-Honored Food Map: From Street Snacks to Intangible Cultural Feasts

Beneath the arcade verandas of Shantou Little Park lies the most authentic Chaoshan flavor. This is not only a “gourmet paradise” recommended by A Bite of China but also the core area of the “World Capital of Food” certified by UNESCO.

Must-Eat List:

• Laomagong Zongzi: A dual-flavor zongzi combining salted egg yolk, pork belly with sweet glutinous rice and red bean paste, paired with soul-stirring sweet soy sauce.
• Piaoxiang Snack Shop Oyster Omelette: Freshly fried oyster omelettes with crispy edges and tender insides, enhanced by fish sauce, selling 300 portions daily.
• Sugar Onion Pancake: Mobile vendors roll sugar strands and sesame seeds on the spot, creating a crispy and sweet explosion. Director Chen Xiaoqing of A Bite of China once came specially to film.
• Baheli Beef Hotpot: Freshly sliced吊龙伴 (loin) and胸口朥 (chest fat), blanched for 8 seconds, served with satay sauce and Puning bean paste.

Hidden Menu:

• Shuixianggong Lane Beef Ball Stall: Hand-pounded beef balls bursting with juice, served with beef bone soup and rice noodles.
• Laocuo District Yam Dumpling Sweet Soup: Glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in sesame and peanut crumbs, with moderate sweetness.

Food Route Planning: Taste Chaoshan Essentials in One Day

Morning:
09:00 Laomagong Zongzi (Shangping Road Store) → 10:00 Piaoxiang Snack Shop (Guoping Road Main Store) → 11:00 Sugar Onion Pancake Mobile Stall (around Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion)

Afternoon:
14:00 Baheli Beef Hotpot (Zhenbang Road Branch) → 16:00 Laocuo District Yam Dumpling Sweet Soup (Shunchang Street Lane)

Tips:

• Most time-honored stores support mobile payments, but carrying a small amount of cash is safer.
• Avoid the midday heat; choose early morning or evening for a better experience.

Shantou Little Park Guide: Deep Cultural Experiences

Living Intangible Heritage: From Chaozhou Opera to Gongfu Tea

Shantou Little Park is not only a historic building complex but also a “living museum” of Chaoshan culture. Here, intangible cultural heritage projects such as Chaozhou opera, Chaozhou embroidery, and drawnwork are staged weekly, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in cultural charm.

Recommended Experiences:

• Laomagong Theater: Free Chaozhou opera performances every Saturday 14:30-16:30. Book in advance via the “Shantou Little Park” WeChat official account.
• Qiaopi Cultural Museum: Exhibiting 100,000 letters from overseas Chinese, witnessing the joys and sorrows of the “Maritime Silk Road.”
• Chaoshan Paper-Cutting DIY: Participate in intangible cultural heritage handicrafts at arcade cultural and creative stores, and take your finished work home as a souvenir.

Visitor Story:

“Seeing a letter from 1947 in the Qiaopi Museum, where an overseas Chinese wrote, ‘The paddy fields at home have been harvested, don’t worry,’ brought tears to my eyes. Culture is not cold exhibits but memories with warmth.” —— Xiaohongshu user @Nanyang Memories

Red Culture Tour: Historical Imprints of the Secret Front

Multiple revolutionary sites are distributed around Shantou Little Park, making it a “second classroom” for understanding modern Chinese history.

Must-Visit Sites:

• Site of the General Headquarters of the Southern Expeditionary Forces of the Nanchang Uprising: In 1927, Zhou Enlai commanded the “Seven-Day Red” battle here.
• Shantou Station of the Secret Communication Line from the CPC Central Committee to the Central Soviet Area: Filming location for the movie Storm,还原 (recreating) the thrilling scenes of underground party members transmitting intelligence.

Shantou Little Park Guide: Photography Secrets for Enthusiasts

Best Shooting Times and Locations

The light and shadows of the arcade buildings in Shantou Little Park change with time. Master the following times and locations to easily capture “retro blockbusters.”

Recommended Times:

• Early Morning 6:30-8:00: Morning light镀上 (gilds) the carved arcade balconies with a golden hue, with few pedestrians.
• Evening 17:00-19:00: The setting sun斜照 (slantingly illuminates), outlining the clear silhouette of Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion.
• Night 19:30-21:00: Warm yellow lights illuminate the arcade buildings, creating a full atmosphere.

Location Checklist:

Scene	Specific Location	Shooting Techniques
Arcade Depth	Intersection of Anping Road and Shengping Road	Use a wide-angle lens, low-angle upward shot
Zhongshan Pavilion Night View	Front Square of Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion	Tripod-mounted, long exposure to capture traffic light trails
Colored Porcelain Corner	Intersection of Guoping Road and Shangping Road	Capture interactions between pedestrians and architectural details

Outfit and Prop Suggestions

• Clothing: Qipaos, Republican-era student uniforms, or plain-colored dresses to echo the arcade style.
• Props: Oil-paper umbrellas, folding fans, or vintage cameras to enhance the storytelling of the scene.

Shantou Little Park Guide: 1-Day Tour Possibilities with Surrounding Linkages

Xiti Park: Sunset and Historical Romance

A 15-minute walk from Shantou Little Park leads to Xiti Park, the former site of Shantou Port, where the “Guofan Memorial Column” and礐石大桥 (Queshi Bridge) landscapes remain.

Recommended Itinerary:

• 17:30 Arrive at the park and occupy the best viewing platform.
• 18:00 Capture the “golden hour” of the sunset and Rongjiang River.
• 19:00 Walk to Zhenbang Food Street for a Chaoshan night snack.

Queshi Scenic Area: Hiking to Overlook Shantou Bay

A 10-minute, 1-yuan ferry ride from Xiti Park leads to Queshi Scenic Area, renowned for its “marine erosion landforms” and “cliff inscriptions,” epitomizing Shantou’s “mountain-sea-city” landscape.

Hiking Route:
Cable car uphill → Dream Valley (love-themed scenic area) → Chuihong Cave (marine erosion cave) → Piaoran Pavilion (overlooking the panorama of Shantou Bay).

Shantou Little Park Guide: Accommodation and Transportation

Accommodation Recommendations: Diverse Choices from Guesthouses to High-End Hotels

• Elegant Zhong’ai Linshe: No. 92 Anping Road, a boutique guesthouse renovated from an arcade building, 5 minutes’ walk to Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion, 100 RMB/night per person.
• Shantou International Hotel: Jinsha Road, Jinping District, a five-star standard hotel adjacent to the MixC business district, suitable for business and family travelers.

Transportation Guide: Green Travel for Efficiency

• Public Transport: Take buses No. 3, 10, or 13 to the “Little Park” stop, then walk 200 meters.
• Taxi: About 15 RMB from Shantou Railway Station to Little Park, 60 RMB from Jieyang Chaoshan Airport to Little Park.
• Self-Driving: An underground parking lot is available near Little Park, but parking spaces are scarce on holidays. Arrive early.

Epilogue: Shantou Little Park, An Endless Cultural Feast

As dusk染 (dyes) the arcade buildings and lights come on, the glazed tiles of Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion gleam with the afterglow of the setting sun, and the century-old story of Shantou Little Park continues. It is not only a witness to history but also a “living gene bank” of Chaoshan culture. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a gourmet, or a cultural explorer, you can find your own感动 (touch) in this 720,000-square-meter district.

For your next trip, add Shantou Little Park to your list——here, every step is a journey through time, every bite is nostalgia, and every frame is a masterpiece.