"If you visit Guangdong but miss Chaozhou, the trip is wasted; if you visit Chaozhou but miss the bridge, you may as well have stayed home." The bridge in this old saying is Guangji Bridge (Xiangzi Bridge), one of China's four ancient bridges and the world's earliest opening-and-closing bridge. Its nightly light show is the highlight of any Chaozhou visit.
Bridge Essentials
- Built: 1171 (Southern Song), over 850 years old
- Length: 518 m
- Structure: stone-beam bridges on both sides joined by 18 boats that can be disconnected to let vessels pass
- Ticket: RMB 20 to walk onto the bridge
- Open: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:30; weekends & holidays 9:00–18:00
Light Show Times
The light show is free and best viewed from the Han River north embankment or the square in front of Guangji Gate Tower.
- Every night at 20:00, about 15 minutes of projection, lights, music and water fountains
- An extra 21:00 show on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays
- Cancelled during bad weather; check "Chaozhou Wenlü" official WeChat for updates
By Day
Stroll across the bridge to admire 24 pavilions with their calligraphy plaques. Around 17:30, staff separate the pontoon section to let river traffic through — a rare "bridge-opening" ceremony. Climb Guangji Gate Tower for the best panorama. Then wander Paifang Street with its 23 stone archways and snack stalls (try spring rolls, oyster omelette and sweet "duck-dumpling" desserts). Don't miss Kaiyuan Temple, founded in 738 and one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in eastern Guangdong.
Food
Chaozhou is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Must-eats include beef hotpot, braised goose, oyster omelette, rice-noodle rolls, hand-beef meatballs and herb-infused desserts. Hengtong Holiday only partners with restaurants frequented by locals.
Our 6-day twin-city and 5-day Chaoshan tours both include guaranteed Guangji Bridge tickets and light-show viewing. Contact +86 137 9925 4912.