Since this blog is still foremost a travel blog, I guess I should get back to sharing some travel adventures, lest I lose whatever credentials I acquired as a travel blogger. :P
I feel like I’m trying to get back into blogging with words (which are still scarce these days) and pictures (which I have too many of), so I’m just taking it easy today and sharing some of my favorite photos from Chaozhou.
Shantou/Chaozhou was our last stop in China before heading out of the mainland. We were only there for one full day (2 nights), but in many ways, it ended up being one of the most memorable.
The only reason we went to Shantou was to visit D’s remote team. I’ve never even heard of it before that. For the new readers, D has had an online business for the past 10 years, which enabled us to travel in the first place. His business employs a few overseas workers from a few different countries, including two ladies in Shantou, China. Visiting them in this small city in southern China was a bit of a pricey detour, but since we were in the country, we definitely wanted to take the opportunity to finally meet them in person!
This little trip turned out way better than what I ever imagined. If I learned anything at all in my two months in China, it’s that the Chinese are some of the most kindest and most generous people I’ve ever come across. Chinese people are genuinely happy to host visitors and eager to show them the best of their city. The whole day, we were not allowed to pull out our wallets, as they insisted on treating us to everything.
Susan and her family picked us up at our hotel on Saturday morning and drove us to the next door town of Chaozhou, where we met up with Lydia and her family.
Chaozhou is famous for being one of the historical + cultural centers of Southern China. It has its own distinctive cuisine, dialect, handicrafts, art, and traditions. Susan and Lydia did their best to introduce us to the Chaozhou culture in just a day.
The main attraction in Chaozhou is the ancient bridge (Guangji Bridge) crossing the Han River. I don’t think there is another bridge in the entire world quite like this one! This is renowned as one of China’s four famous bridges.
The bridge was originally constructed in the year 1170 in the Song Dynasty (that’s almost nine hundred years ago!). When it was first constructed, it was made up of 86 wooden boats connected together for crossing. Over the centuries, it’s gone through numerous remodels, including the construction of pavilions. Today, the bridge is made up of 24 pavilions and 18 wooden boats in the middle section.
It was designed this way originally so that a channel could be opened for ships to get across. This style of open + close bateau bridge (or floating bridge) was the first of its kind in China, and even in the world!
And apparently, each of the 24 pavilions are a little different from each other!
It took maybe only one hour or so to walk across the bridge and back (and of course stopping to take pictures every few feet). I don’t think I have ever taken so many photos of just one thing before, and I ended up with so many pretty pictures that I didn’t want to pare them down any further. So in another post, I will talk more about what else Chaozhou has to offer, but for now, I hope you enjoyed these photos and didn’t find them too repetitive. :)
Practical Information:
- Location: outside the East Gate of the Old City Wall
- Price: 60 RMB, or US $10
- Hours: 10:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. (M-F); 9:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. (weekends & holiday)
Have you seen another bridge like this? Where was the most interesting bridge you’ve ever seen?
What a pretty looking bridge, I love it! It’s so unique and I definitely don’t think I’ve seen anything like it before, it was also interesting to read about the history of the bridge :)
Yeah, I have definitely never seen anything else like it!
That looks like a very unique bridge. I don’t really know, since I’ve never travelled in Asia and I haven’t seen many cool bridges in my life, but the pavillions are beautiful and the 18 boats seem like a cool idea. Would love to see it! :)
Hi Patricia! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment :). I’ve been around a good part of Asian and this is definitely unique!
Man that bridge is AWESOME!! Would love to go there someday. I feel you on the whole words thing. Sometimes I get lazy and let the photos speak for themselves… words are just so difficult sometimes hahah.
I know!! Sometimes I just want to share pictures and not have to rack my brains for something interesting to say about them. I think I need to just not care so much and share more pics from now on!
Wow that bridge is breathtaking! I’m not usually into architecture, but Asia definitely has the most stunning buildings, bridges, and landscapes!
I agree! Although I really love all the old buildings in Europe too!
That bridge, I wonder if it was meant to be a parody of the few naval warfare disasters of ancient China. There were a few famous battles where the superior forces lashed their boats together to form stable units but ended up being razed by fire and totally destroyed by the weaker sides.
Interesting. I didn’t know that, but that would make sense for the wooden boats to be a part of the bridge.
Hmmm I’m not sure… I just read that it’s so it can come apart for ships to pass through! I think I’ve heard of those battles you’re referring to.
Wow. Wow. Wow! That bridge is awesome! 1170?? How cool. I love the wooden boat section.
Me too! That was my favorite part. It looks so peaceful, doesn’t it?
Impressive. It must have been also pretty cool being taken around by locals, that is just icing on the cake!
I would have to say that was the best part :). I think having a local guide really makes all the difference!
This bridge is truly amazing Anna! And don’t worry about not writing always specifically about travel adventures, I think of yours as a “travel as a lifestyle” blog and that includes how is life on the road, not only travel adventures. Share what you feel like sharing, that’s part of the fun! Have a nice weekend!
Thanks Laia! I find travel writing to be difficult sometimes, but I really do like re-reading old posts and reliving the adventures…. so in the future, I’ll just share more pictures if I don’t have anything special to say :).
That bridge is SO neat! And I love the history behind it… how cool!
I know! This is the coolest bridge I’ve ever seen!
Wow! What a bridge! (I’ve never said that before) – It’s really gorgeous! I love getting to see things like this hen you travel around, it’s my favourite thing about travel.
Also, I hope when I’m lost for words, I can get words out as good as you :)
Also, I’m happy to report you have refreshed your travel blogger credentials. Next renewal Dec 2016.
Yay! I’ll just have to make sure that credential doesn’t get revoked before then ;).
Haha, I’ve never been so amazed by a bridge before this one either! It really is so unique.
Wow, what a photogenic place! The detours sometimes turn out to be the best spots.
I know.. isn’t it so pretty? I’m really happy we made a stop there, and met some truly wonderful people too!