Major city · China
Shantou汕头
Spend 2 days: explore the old town, try local street food, and visit Nan'ao Island; add a half‑day to Pagoda Mountain if time permits.
Shantou is a coastal city in Guangdong’s Chaoshan region. It offers a compact historic centre, a lively night‑food street, and easy access to Nan'ao Island and nearby hills. One night is enough for the core sights; a second day lets you add a short nature or island trip.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (cooler, less rain)
- avoid Jun–Sep (hot, heavy rain)
- Airport
- SWA
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Shantou110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shantou, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyShantou is generally safe for tourists; petty theft is rare, but traffic is chaotic and motorbikes may run red lights.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSWA Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (30 km (19 mi) north; bus to Shantou Railway Station costs ¥20 (≈ US$3)‑25, 45‑60 min).SWA Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (19 mi (30 km) north; bus to Shantou Railway Station costs ¥20 (≈ US$3)‑25, 45‑60 min).
- Getting aroundCity buses (¥2 (≈ under US$1)‑¥3 (≈ under US$1), cash or QR code), ride‑hailing apps (≈¥10‑¥15 for short trips), and public bike rentals.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet‑food snack (e.g., oyster omelette)¥15–¥30 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBottle of local beer¥12–¥20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (first 3 km (1.9 mi))Taxi (first 1.9 mi (3 km))¥10–¥15 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride¥2–¥3 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomCN¥500 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥650 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SWA Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (30 km (19 mi) north; bus to Shantou Railway Station costs ¥20‑25, 45‑60 min)SWA Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport (19 mi (30 km) north; bus to Shantou Railway Station costs ¥20‑25, 45‑60 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jun (283 rain days), driest Oct (35). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shantou: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
38 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
48 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
86 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
147 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
194 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
283 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
223 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
283 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
150 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
35 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
44 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
41 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses (¥2‑¥3, cash or QR code), ride‑hailing apps (≈¥10‑¥15 for short trips), and public bike rentals. Buses can be unpunctual; tell the driver when you wish to alight.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nan'ao Island
goDoor to door: ≈5 h round‑trip
Bus 105/161 series to Nan'ao bridge, then local bus or taxi; total travel ≈2 h each way
Island offers beaches, seafood and historic sites; ferry runs twice daily.
Pagoda Mountain (Tashan Scenic Area)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Bus 101/102/207/209 to Tashan Intersection, then walk
Entry ¥10; modest hike with sea views.
Queshi Scenic Area
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Ferry from People's Square or bus 11/37/49 to Queshi; cable car optional
Combo ticket ¥15; cable car ¥25; check operating hours.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jinping District (city centre)
Close to old town, bus hub and many eateries; good for walking tours.
Longhu District (coastal)
Near east‑coast park and ferry to Nan'ao; quieter evenings.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–¥400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥400–¥650 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- High
- ¥650 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥500 | CN¥1,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥400 | CN¥1,600 |
| Airport bus to city centre2 × CN¥22 · ¥20‑¥25, check schedule | CN¥44 |
| Ride‑hailing short trip (≤5 km)2 × CN¥12 · ≈¥10‑¥15, check surge | CN¥24 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × CN¥120 · check local providers | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥291 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥800 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,199≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street‑food snack (e.g., oyster omelette) | ¥15–¥30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bowl of beef noodle soup | ¥25–¥45 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Bottle of local beer | ¥12–¥20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus ride | ¥2–¥3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi (first 3 km) | ¥10–¥15 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Traffic can be chaotic; motorbikes often run red lights.
- Bus announcements may be drowned out by noise; have change ready for cash fares.
- English signage is limited outside major hotels.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Shantou汕头
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consulate in Guangzhou; other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport bus to Shantou city: ¥20–¥25 (≈ US$3–4), 45‑60 min (check schedule)
- Ride‑hailing short trip: ≈¥12–¥15, 5‑10 min
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 这个多少钱？ — How much is this? (zhè ge duōshǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the bathroom? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shantou. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar (cooler, less rain) · avoid Jun–Sep (hot, heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night on Nan'ao Island for beach relaxation.
- Combine Pagoda Mountain with Stone Fort Park for a half‑day coastal walk.
Sources
Ask about Shantou
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