Plan at a glance
Location, entry and opening hours
Guangji Gate Tower stands on Shuiping Road at the northern end of Paifang Street, beside Guangji Bridge and the Han River. Its exterior and night views are free to enjoy. Entry to the tower costs 20–30 CNY; review ticket arrangements through the Yipiao Chaozhou or Chaozhou Ancient City mini-programs before visiting.
The tower is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00–17:30, with final entry at 17:00, and is closed on Mondays except public holidays. It is illuminated from 19:00–22:30, when it can be viewed from the riverbank, bridgehead or northern end of Paifang Street.
Who should go upstairs
Travellers who want elevated views of the old city, Han River and Guangji Bridge should allow time to go inside. If your priority is exterior photography or a bridge-and-tower composition, the outside areas and bridgehead can still provide the main experience.
Ready to book?
Use the standard admission package for the core shuttle route; confirm the visit date and current opening hours before checkout.
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Around 1 hour: tower and bridgehead
Photograph Guangji Gate Tower from outside, then use the stairs near Xiashuimen for a low-angle view. Continue to Guangji Bridge to complete a short old-city stop.
A full old-city day: go upstairs in the afternoon
Have breakfast on Xima Road, then visit Kaiyuan Temple and Paifang Street. In the afternoon, climb Guangji Gate Tower for old-city and river views, continue to Guangji Bridge for the opening process, then wait at the riverside for sunset and the evening light show.
Two slower days
Use day one for Guangji Gate Tower, Paifang Street, Kaiyuan Temple, Guangji Bridge and the light show. Visit Han Wen Gong Temple, Thai Buddhist Hall and Longhu Ancient Village on day two, so the night views and out-of-town travel do not compete for time.
Build your day
Daytime: exterior, tower and bridge view
Arrive from the northern end of Paifang Street, photograph the front of the tower and the Xiashuimen stairs, then go upstairs if you have a ticket. From the upper floors, look across the old-city lanes, the Han River and both banks before walking toward Guangji Bridge.
Afternoon: connect the bridge and temple
Guangji Bridge is a short walk from the tower, so the two are easy to pair. If you plan to watch the bridge opening, leave the bridge deck early enough; with more time, continue to Han Wen Gong Temple for a wider view back across the river.
Evening: see the tower illuminated
Once the lights come on, Guangji Gate Tower and Guangji Bridge can be photographed in the same frame. Stay along the riverside promenade until after the light show, then return to Xima Road or Paifang Street for dinner.
Get there
Public transport and walking access
A taxi from Chaoshan Station takes about 30 minutes. In the city, take bus 3 or 101 to the Department Store or Chengnan Primary School stop, then walk about 600 metres; the tower is also easy to reach on foot from Paifang Street, Kaiyuan Temple and Guangji Bridge.
Driving and parking
Park outside the old city, such as at Beiguan Parking Lot, and walk in. The central district has traffic restrictions and limited spaces, so outer parking followed by a walk is usually quicker than driving to the tower itself.
Know before you go
Decide whether going upstairs is worth it for you
Go upstairs if the elevated old-city and Han River views are a priority. If you mainly want exterior photos, the illuminated tower or a bridge-and-tower composition, the surrounding public areas may be enough for your visit; allow for queues at busy times if entering the tower.
Photography, light and clothing
The Xiashuimen stairs are useful for low-angle tower photos, while later afternoon light works well around the river. Bring a light outer layer for the breezy evening riverfront; pale or neutral clothing generally stands out clearly against the stone walls and tower.
Keeping the visit smooth
Crowds are usually heavier near opening time and on public holidays, while after 16:00 can be more comfortable for photography. If you encounter paid character-photo services, confirm the price and service before taking part.