As China's May Day holiday approaches (1-5 May), the coastal city of Shantou is preparing a sensory extravaganza that promises equal parts culinary adventure and cultural thrills. Ranked 7th on China's 2025 Trendiest Cities list, this Guangdong gem is enticing travelers with round-the-clock street eats, ancient dances reimagined by AI, and sunset ferry rides over the South China Sea.
Follow your nose: A 24/7 food safari
Food is Shantou's universal language. Earlier this year, influencer Dong Yuhui spent a day sampling over 30 local dishes, from silken beef hotpot to aromatic lu'e (braised goose), declaring it a "gastronomic marathon."Celebrities like Li Dan and Wang Xun have echoed this sentiment, humorously noting that in Shantou, "you could close your eyes, follow your nose, and stumble into a worthy meal."
This May Day holiday, the city's streets will sizzle day and night with must-try eats: crispy oyster omelets, tangy seafood shengyan (marinated raw delights), and chewy rice cakes known as guo. Food lanes like Zhenbang Street and Longyan South will serve as open-air banquet halls, with each bite a reason to linger.
Play hard: From folk dance VR to island hopping
Shantou's appeal extends far beyond its culinary offerings. The city has launched nearly 100 activities that blend tradition with modernity. Thrill-seekers can zip across Nan'ao Island by helicopter, drive go-karts along the coast, or cruise the harbor at sunset. For a more leisurely experience, the concert series at Chaoren Pier (May 1-6) pairs live music with ocean breezes.
Additionally, bustling commercial zones will host vibrant markets that merge Chaoshan cuisine with trendy desserts, alongside 24-hour performances of intangible cultural heritage, such as lantern displays and Yingge dances. This fusion of tradition and urban flair spans 4,000 square meters and features quirky capsule food trucks.
The newly opened Chaoqi Yingge · AI Digital Experience Center, China's first interactive museum dedicated to the thunderous Yingge dance, utilizes 5G, VR, and AI to allow visitors to create personalized "warrior" avatars or virtually step into a performance. Located near Longyan South Road's foodie paradise, the center bridges Shantou's past and present.
Meanwhile, attractions like Lianhua Peak will offer free tickets to early arrivals, Bluewater Star Park is debuting a 3-day unlimited pass, and Nan'ao Island's historical sites and Chenghai's rural tourism zone are providing discounts of up to 20%.
So pack your appetite and curiosity—this coastal wonder awaits.
Enjoy your May Day holiday in Shantou: Taking photos here truly captures Shantou's essence
Author | Feng Huiting, Huang Xinying
Video | Lai Jieyi (intern)
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
