Date: 9th – 14th August 2024
Venue: 1st Chao Shan Root Tracing Trip
Itinerary
Day 1
Singapore → Jieyang → Shantou
Gather at Changi Airport and take a Spring Airlines flight to Jieyang Airport. Upon arrival at Jieyang Airport, transfer to Shantou and check into the Shantou Jia Da hotel for rest.
Day 2
Shantou → Nan’ao Island
After breakfast, take a one-hour bus ride to Nan’ao Island in Shantou. Visit the magical Song Well, the General’s Mansion, and Qing’ao Bay. Next, explore the Queshi Scenic Area, a top attraction in Shantou known for its provincial and national recognition. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch with local flavours on the Nan’ao island.
Day 3
Shantou → Chenghai → Chaozhou
After breakfast, visit the Chaoshan Museum, explore the Qilou-style buildings at Shantou’s Little Park, and experience the Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall or Zhenbang Road Food Street. After lunch, head to Chenghai to tour the Chen Cihang Residence, known as the “First Overseas Chinese Mansion in Lingnan.” Then, continue to Chaozhou to visit the Han Wen Gong Temple. For dinner, enjoy a special meal featuring braised goose and Shitou goose at Riri Xiang.
Hotel: Chaozhou Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Chaozhou → Shantou → Jieyang
After breakfast, visit one of the four famous bridges, Guangji Bridge, and the Guangji Tower. Then, head to Chaozhou’s Paifang Street, located in the centre of the ancient city. This ancient cultural street combines intangible cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and speciality snacks, offering a unique shopping experience in the ancient city of Chaozhou. After lunch, visit Kaiyuan Temple, located in the western outskirts of Chao’an District in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province. It is one of the most important Buddhist temples in the Chaozhou area. Later, proceed to Jieyang to check into the hotel. For lunch, enjoy a Chaoshan-style meal featuring the “Eighteen Dishes.”
Hotel: Jieyang Lavande Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Jieyang → Chaoyang → Jieyang
After breakfast, visit Huangmanzhai Waterfall in Jieyang, a national 4A-level scenic spot featuring the main waterfall, Milky Way Waterfall, and Sandie Waterfall. Surrounded by lush mountains, it offers a paradise-like setting. Then, head to Chaoyang city for a visit. After lunch, explore the Song Dafeng Ancestral Master Scenic Area. Later, visit Jieyang’s landmarks, including Xuegong, Jieyang Tower, and Jinxian Gate, a famous ancient spot. For dinner, enjoy authentic Jieyang cuisine.
Day 6
Jieyang → Singapore
After breakfast, take a tour bus to Jieyang Airport and return home to Singapore by Spring Airlines.
Heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Ng and the entire GSS committee for orchestrating a truly
remarkable event. A special commendation to Raymond Goh for his captivating presentation, which
drew an overwhelming crowd, filling the venue to capacity. I sincerely thank GSS for graciously
inviting me to witness the momentous signing ceremony. I am deeply humbled and honoured by the
opportunity to be part of such a significant occasion. Special thanks also to Ms. Chin Soo Fang for her
excellent coverage and for crafting a highly engaging article for The Straits Times.
–Nathan Co, GSS Advisor and Founder of Chinese Ancestry Research on FaceBook.
Overall, the trip was extremely meaningful — from the clan meetings to meeting many people with the same goals and interests, the ancestry search journey with Dicky is particularly insightful and a great learning experience as well. All the tourmates are nice, and we all get along quite well. I think everyone enjoyed it and learned a lot along the way. Hopefully, we will have more and more frequent such trips. This can eventually become a hallmark of GSS and a key attracting factor for people interested in joining us.
–GSS Life member, Nathan Co.
The trip was well planned. We landed safely and are back home in SG. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to GSS for facilitating the trip and arranging the tour. My sincere thanks also to all in the group for the excellent company and the unselfish sharing of Teochew history and knowledge.
— GSS life member, Denise Tan
It was a well-organized Chao Shan trip with good food and comfortable accommodation. The members got along well during the trip. I want to thank GSS for organising the enjoyable trip. I am looking forward to another overseas trip soon organised by GSS.
– GSS life member Ang Boon Siang
There is good news to share on this trip. My cousin in Beijing connected me to a few ancestral homes, and I have likely found our ancestral village in Xitou Chuen in Jieyang. I also met some potential relatives to be confirmed with the DNA swabs I took. This community of about 600 Goh families has a solid oral memory of my grandpa visiting in the early 1920s when he coordinated the Swatow Earthquake fund with SCCCI. If the DNA swab confirms the relationship, my 1st mission is accomplished after starting the search in 1985. 2nd mission to go – looking for long lost descendants of 3 grand uncles & 2 grand aunties! Many thanks to Mr NG, GSS and my fellow masters of Chinese on this trip.
–GSS Life Member, Goh Ming Tung Dicky