This May, a modestly budgeted film produced in Guangdong has taken the Chinese market by storm. Dear You, a movie told entirely in the Chaoshan dialect, has become an unexpected box-office sensation. Following its domestic success, the film is set to reach audiences across the globe.
Nestled in eastern Guangdong Province, the Chaoshan region, encompassing the cities of Shantou, Chaozhou, and Jieyang, has long been renowned for its distinct, deeply rooted regional culture and for hosting one of the largest overseas Chinese communities in the world.
At the 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), elements from the film blend seamlessly with centuries-old cultural traditions, offering visitors a rich and immersive glimpse into the vibrant life of Chaoshan.
A Dear You backdrop made of Shantou building blocks, featuring the kapok flower, a symbol of Guangdong.
Letters that carried both money and love
Dear You tells the poignant story of Chaoshan people who, last century, sailed to Southeast Asia in search of a better life, while remaining deeply connected to their hometowns. For generations, these overseas migrants maintained contact with their families through Qiaopi, a one-of-a-kind cultural tradition that has been inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register since 2013.
Qiaopi is a two-character term from the Chaoshan dialect. "Qiao" means "overseas Chinese"; "pi" is the unique local Chaoshan word for "letter".
In an era without international banks or instant communication, Qiaopi was lifelines. Migrants would send their hard-earned wages, sometimes even pork, sugar, or other supplies, alongside brief notes about their daily lives.
Chaoshan spirit in daily rituals
Beyond the letters, the ICIF exhibition reveals how Chaoshan culture is woven into the smallest daily rituals—most notably, the art of Gongfu tea.
A variety of tea wares from Chaozhou
The word "Gongfu" means "to do things with skill and heart," requiring patience, energy, and time. This refined tea ceremony is deeply woven into the everyday lives of the Chaoshan people. For them, tea is also a social ritual that nurtures relationships with family and friends.
"When friends disagree, we sit down and drink tea together—turn big problems into small ones, and small problems into nothing. Harmony is most precious," explained Ma Rilong, executive vice president of the Chaoshan Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen.
A life-size piano made of Shantou building blocks
Chaozhou traditional paper-cutting
There's so much more to Chaoshan, from timeless traditions to trendy toys. Come discover it in the video.
Reporter & Photo | Chen Jinxia
Video & Poster | Qin Shaolong
