Chaozhou Things to Do

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This place is located in the remove mountains, about 40km away from the Chaozhou urban district. There are only 8 households and about 20 people living near by. Its natural scenery and geography position are very special with 6 various waterfalls in the valley. Walking along the path, you enjoy different views from the stream, falls and greens. There are even some small pavilions on the path for rest and drinking Gongfu tea. You can still taste the food served by the villagers.
The day I went to this place rained lightly. Driving along the Han-River, I caught in the beautiful rainy view of the Han-River. Some clouds levitated above the Han-River and the beyond mountains. My cousin was so exited to see such view. She said that was fairyland :)

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I think the Han-River Corridor is the most beautiful place in the urban district of this city. In spring, the ceibas are all with red flowers, bringing festive ambience. In summer, everywhere is full of green and vitality. The Penholder Hill on the other side of the river reminds people of the ancient times using writing brush. Mountains beyond with clouds on the top just like the fairyland. Some boats move slowly on the Han-River . After all, any angle of the sight can be a nice picture.

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Located on the foot of Pan-holder Hill, the Hanwengong Memorial Temple was built in the Song dynasty. It’s the longest historical and well preserved temple to remember Hanyu, a famous historical scholar. There are 40 stele carvings of successive dynasties kept in the temple.
Almost everyone in Chaozhou knows Hanyu. He was exiled to Chaozhou because he was against the then Emperor's plan to build a pagoda to keep the finger bone of a deceased sacred monk. During his 8 mouths in Chaozhou, he attached great importance to education, did a great job to drive away the crocodiles from the Han-River, etc. His contribution gave a deep impression to Chaozhou people.

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The Phoenix Mountain is located in the north of Chaozhou city. Its highest peak with 1497km is the highest peak in the east of Guangdong province. The natural scenery there is very charming. Among all the scenic areas of the Phoenix Mountain, the Heaven Lake is the most charming place which is on the top of the next highest peat-Wudong Peak. It’s formed naturally by the ancient crater.
Here is also the place where Phoenix Tea trees grow. The Phoenix Tea, a kind of oolongs, is on the top of the national famous tea appraisal. The best Phoenix Tea has a special perfume of flowers. It’s not only refreshing, but also good to digestion.

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My home town-Chaozhou is a historical and cultural city in China, with over 700 relic spots. One of the well known historic sites is the Xiangzi Bridge(a.k.a. Guangji Bridge), which is a key cultural relic site under the state protection and one of the top four ancient bridges, the other three are the Zhaozhou Bridge, the Luoyang Bridge and the Lugou Bridge. The Han-River goes with the Xiangzi Bridge for over 800 years. The old bridge was the first opening bridge in the world.
The whole bridge consists of one part of stone plate bridge, one part of arch bridge and one part of floating bridge connected with 18 boats. It’s the only structure in China’s history. The part of floating bridge can be disconnected for the passage of big boats. There are 24 pavilions with different styles on the 24 piers for doing business, becoming a special view on the bridge.
Today, the bridge had been under rebuilding. It will present its new appearance.

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The Kaiyuan Country-guard Temple built in Tang Dynasty with a history over 1260 years is one of the four going Kaiyuan Temples in China. It’s said this temple used to occupy hundred mu. Although after all previous dynasties vicissitude, it still has about 20,000 square meters. Among the buildings in the temple, the Song architecture group (taking the Hall of Heavenly Kings as representative) is worth highly study and view.

This river is considered the mother river for the whole Chaozhou area, including a few other cities near by. However, in Tang dynasty, this river suffered from crocodile. Han Yu - the local leader, who was sent from the central government in Xi'an solved the problem and was considered the hero here in Chaozhou.

I don't really know what the name of this place means. But I heard it is famous for its "Lighthouse of Buddha", which is from Song dynasty. It sits on a small hill, facing the Hanjiang river, where you can get a great view of the river.

Originally the lighthouse was for boats in the Hanjiang river because this part of the river was dangerous. The lighthouse could remind people that they were in Chaozhou area and they should be careful. It is said a former emperor onced passed here in his "dragon boat" while he was sleeping, but suddenly he was waken by the light from this Lighthouse. So he thought it must have been some God sending him the light - therefore, the lighthouse became the "lighthouse of Buddha" since then.