Chaoren Park

Most travelers arrive in Chaozhou knowing exactly what they want: a stroll down Paifang Street, a bowl of beef-ball noodles, and a sunset at Guangji Bridge. But since January 2026, the city has quietly unveiled a reason to extend your stay — Chaoren Park (潮人公园), a sprawling 400-mu cultural and recreational complex built on an island in the middle of the Han River. Free to enter, thoughtfully designed, and infused with authentic Chaoshan culture, it is fast becoming one of eastern Guangdong's most beloved new destinations.

The name itself carries a clever double meaning. Chaoren literally translates as "Chaozhou people," honoring the city's identity and its far-flung diaspora. In modern spoken Chinese, however, the same two words also mean "trendy people" — a fitting wink for a park that pairs 800-year-old craft traditions with glass observation towers and AI-themed play areas.


 

Where It Is and How It's Laid Out

Chaoren Park sits on the southwest side of Xianzhou Island (仙洲岛), a sandy islet in the Han River directly beneath Chaozhou Bridge. In practice, you will spot the park the moment you cross the bridge, with its greenery spilling toward the river on both sides.

The park covers roughly 400 mu, or about 26.7 hectares — large enough that you can easily spend three to four hours exploring. It was funded by the Chaozhou Sanhuan Charity Association and donated to the city as a permanent, non-profit public park, which explains why entry is free and the grounds are immaculately maintained. All revenue from paid attractions goes back into park operations.

Chaozhou Bridge runs straight through the middle of the park, naturally dividing it into two zones. The North Zone is dedicated to culture, folk life, and food — traditional courtyards, craft stalls, and a Journey-to-the-West-themed mountain. The South Zone leans into nature and leisure, with flower seas, a glass observation tower, and wide riverside lawns. In total, the park features 28 distinct attractions across six "product lines": cultural landscapes, natural ecology, family entertainment, sports and recreation, folk customs, and specialty dining.
 

North Zone: Chaoshan Culture, Up Close

Your visit will likely begin at Chaoyun Square (潮韵广场), the park's grand entrance. Dominating the square is the "Phoenix Bringing Blessings" (有凤来仪) porcelain phoenix — an eight-meter-tall, twelve-meter-long sculpture crafted from roughly 3,500 pieces of inlaid porcelain (嵌瓷), a traditional Chaoshan craft in which tiny shards of colored porcelain are pressed into plaster to form dazzling, weatherproof images. Chaozhou has been known as "Phoenix City" since ancient times, and the nearby islet is historically called Phoenix Isle, so the phoenix is far more than decoration — it is the park's symbolic signature. Stand directly in front of it for the classic wide-angle photo.

Just beyond the square stretches the Cultural Corridor, a covered walkway roughly 120 meters long with five exhibition halls totaling 1,200 square meters. The halls are dedicated to Chaozhou's history, folk customs, art, music, and live performances. Even if you do not read Chinese, the painted panels along the corridor — each illustrating a local folk tale with accompanying text — are worth a slow walk. On weekends, the performance hall often hosts Teochew opera or string music, giving visitors a taste of one of China's oldest surviving operatic traditions.



The North Zone's most photographed attraction is Huaguo Mountain (花果山), a 30-meter-tall artificial rockery inspired by the classic novel Journey to the West. Covering 2,500 square meters, the mountain is dotted with sculptures of the Monkey King and his companions, and features re-created scenes such as the Water Curtain Cave (水帘洞) and Flaming Mountains (火焰山). Children love scrambling through the cave tunnels, while the viewing platform at the top rewards climbers with a sweeping panorama of the Han River, Chaozhou Bridge, and the park below. Note that unlike the park itself, Huaguo Mountain requires a separate ticket — 35 RMB for adults and 18 RMB for children and seniors.

Adjacent to the mountain is the Cultural Street, a cluster of new-Chinese-style buildings housing 66 shops across two levels. Here you will find Chaoshan snacks — oyster omelets, braised goose, and sesame tea — alongside ceramic boutiques, craft stalls, and small display spaces. It is the ideal spot to refuel halfway through your visit and to pick up a hand-painted teacup or a pack of fragrant Chaoshan tea leaves as a souvenir.

South Zone: Flowers, Views, and the River Breeze

Cross under Chaozhou Bridge and the atmosphere shifts. The South Zone is where the park breathes — wide lawns, seasonal flowers, and unobstructed river views. The Sea of Flowers (花海) covers 5,000 square meters of gently rolling terrain, with a pavilion perched at the highest point. Plantings change with the seasons — expect golden marigolds in winter, pink cherry blossoms in early spring, and vivid cosmos and sunflowers through summer and autumn. The pavilion offers a dual view: close-up, the flowers ripple below you; in the distance, the Han River glints beyond the treeline.
 

Rising from the greenery like a faceted gem is the Crystal Tower (水晶楼), a five-story, 40-meter-tall glass structure with a 360-degree observation deck. It is the park's highest point and the best place to grasp the full scale of the island, the bridge, and the river. Sunset here is particularly recommended — as the light turns gold, the Han River and the city skyline beyond take on a warm, cinematic glow. The tower is open from 9:00 to 22:00, and after dark it is illuminated from within, becoming a beacon visible from both riverbanks.



For something more playful, the Plant Maze (植物迷宫) — 3,400 square meters of evergreen hedges arranged into winding paths — is fun for both children and adults. Next to it, the Sunshine Lawn (阳光草坪) spans 13,000 square meters and is a popular spot for picnics, kite-flying, and simply lying on the grass with a book. On weekends, local families spread out blankets and set up tents; visitors are welcome to join the relaxed vibe.

Do not miss the Riverside Boardwalk (沿江栈道), an 800-meter path that runs along the island's edge with the Han River on one side and the park's cultural features on the other. The retaining wall beneath the boardwalk is painted with cement murals depicting old Chaozhou street scenes and historical photographs — a quiet, underrated attraction that rewards a slow stroll. This is also the best spot in the park for watching the sun set over the river.

Something for Every Age

Chaoren Park was deliberately designed as an all-generations destination. The Children's Playground (2,400 square meters) is divided by age group, with separate areas for toddlers and older kids. The Sports Zone (12,000 square meters) offers basketball, tennis, and table tennis courts, plus a dedicated extreme-sports area for skateboarding and rollerblading. Seniors are not forgotten either — the Senior Leisure Area (3,400 square meters), located near the parking lot for easy access, is shaded by tall evergreen trees and fitted with benches, exercise equipment, and spaces for chess and conversation.

For those interested in ecology, the park also includes a 15,000-square-meter wetland area with waterfalls and a traditional Chaoshan courtyard, as well as a small farm observation zone where children can see vegetables, melons, and rice growing — a gentle introduction to agriculture for urban kids.

Practical Information

Tickets and Hours. The park itself is free and open 24 hours. Huaguo Mountain and the Crystal Tower are open from 9:00 to 22:00; Huaguo Mountain costs 35 RMB per adult and 18 RMB for children and seniors. A light and sound show runs from 19:00 to 22:00, with additional shows on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Getting There. The park is about a 15-minute drive from Chaozhou's old town (Paifang Street / Guangji Bridge area). Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Didi) are readily available. If you prefer public transit, local buses serve the Chaozhou Bridge area, and you can walk onto the island from the bridge's pedestrian path. A large parking lot sits on the east side of the park for those with a car.

Best Time to Visit. Late afternoon is ideal — arrive around 16:00, explore the North Zone's cultural sights, catch the sunset from the Crystal Tower or riverside boardwalk, and stay for the evening light show. Weekday mornings are the quietest; weekends and holidays can get busy, especially around Huaguo Mountain and the food street.



Tips. Wear comfortable shoes — the park is large and you will do a lot of walking. Bring water in summer, as shade can be sparse in the open South Zone. If you plan to eat at the cultural street, go hungry — portions are generous and the variety is wide. Finally, allow at least three hours; half a day is even better if you want to truly slow down and enjoy the river breeze.
Chaoren Park is more than a park — it is a love letter to Chaozhou, written in porcelain, flowers, and river light. Whether you are passing through for a weekend or settling in for a deeper exploration of Chaoshan culture, it deserves a spot on your itinerary.