Shantou Travel China, Shantou Tour Guide

China Shantou City:
Shantou

Resident People:
3.8 million

General Information:
Shantou is a harbour city with a Special Economic Zone. Government statistics show that 2.16 million overseas Chinese have roots in Shantou, with significant populations residing in Thailand and Singapore.

Geography:
Shantou is located on the eastern coast of Guangdong Province, right on the south of Fujian Province border, facing Taiwan.

Climate:
Shantou has a semitropical maritime climate, with annual average temperature of 21¡ãC to 22¡ãC, average sunshine time of over 2000 hours and the annual precipitation of 1300-1,800mm.
The typhoon seasons fall in July to September every year.

Shantou Economy:
It was opened as a special economic zone in 1979. Industries include food-processing, and the export-oriented manufacture of clothes, shoes, and electronic goods. Other exports include timber, food products, and fruit. Fishing is also important.

History:
Shantou was a fishing village part of Tuojiang City , Xieyang District during the Song Dynasty. It came to be Xialing during the Yuan Dynasty. In 1563, Shantou was a part of Denghai District in Chao Prefecture (Chaozhou). As early as 1574, Shantou had been called Shashan Ping . In the seventeenth century, a cannon platform called Shashan Toupaotai was made here, and the place name later was shortend to "Shantou".
It became a city in 1919, and was separated from Denghai in 1921. As a high-level city, Shantou administered Chaozhou City from 1983 to 1989.

Arrive:
It is known as "the gateway of east Nanling Mountains and the communication hub of Southeast China" because of its advantageous geographical location.
This is an high number of international direct flights between Bangkok and Shantou.

Shantou Tourism:
The most important places to visit in Shantou are: Palace-Temple of Old Mother, dedicated to the goddess Matsu and Temple of Emperor Guan, dedicated to Guan Yu.

Shopping:
The exquisite Chao-Shan ceramics, drawn-work pieces, Chaozhou embroidery and golden carved lacquerwares are being sold to all parts of the world.

Cuisine:
The delicate and fresh Chao-Shan food and Chao-Shan pastry attract people from all parts of the world and its favor is unforgettable. Chao-Shan Gong-fu Tea, regarded as Chinese Tea Ceremony, enjoys high reputation in the world.

Shantou Culture:
Shantou has a long history in traditional culture and has been called the ¡°seaside Zou and Lu¡± (Zou and Lu were two ancient kingdoms in Shandong Province, where culture and education were prosperous). The culture sediment is profound and the local characteristic is strong. The local opera Chao Opera and the elegant classic Chao-zhou music, the important means to express hometown affection and homesickness, often stir the feelings of Chao-Shan people at home and abroad.