Plan at a glance
Location, tickets and hours
Chen Cihong Residence is in Qianmei Village, Longdu Town, Chenghai District, around 30–40 minutes by car from central Shantou and suitable for a dedicated half day. The listed adult ticket is CNY 58, with online bookings listed at CNY 56; reservations are normally not required, and reference hours are 08:30–17:30 with last entry at 16:30, while the site does not close on Mondays.
How much time to allow
The residence is large, with many rooms and covered corridors, so a quick visit takes around 1.5–2 hours and a first visit should allow 2.5–3 hours. It suits visitors interested in Chaoshan overseas-Chinese homes, mixed Chinese-Western architecture, woodcarving and coloured glass, and it involves more walking and stairs than a typical museum.
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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1.5–2 hours: architecture first
Enter through the main gate, focus on the second-floor corridor and coloured-glass windows of Shanju Hall, then see the imported tile courtyard before leaving. With limited time, prioritise Shanju Hall’s spatial design rather than trying to walk every courtyard.
2.5–3 hours: a first-visit route
Follow the sequence Langzhongdi, Shanju Hall, Taobaixuan, Shoukangli, the second-floor corridor bridge, the lotus-pond bridge and Sanlu Study. This gives time for the family history and differing courtyards, as well as the tiles, woodcarving, stone carving and plasterwork.
Film and photography route
Focus on Taobaixuan, the Shanju Hall courtyard, second-floor corridor, century-old tile lanes, Shoukangli’s red-brick arches and the intangible-cultural-heritage display area. Some spaces are protected heritage zones and are not open to visitors, so follow the on-site route and do not cross closed sections for photographs.
Build your day
Morning: courtyards and family history
Start with Langzhongdi to understand the residence’s layout, then enter Shanju Hall and look for its 202 rooms, unpainted woodcarving and coloured glass on the second floor. Morning is less crowded, making it the better time for corridors and courtyards where clear sightlines matter.
Afternoon: corridors, light and performance
Continue through Taobaixuan, Shoukangli, the second-floor bridge, lotus-pond bridge and study, when afternoon light is more likely to pass through the coloured glass and form interior patterns. Yingge dance performances are listed at 10:30 and 14:30 in the central courtyard; stay nearby at those times if you want to watch.
Get there
Reaching it from the city
Driving is the most flexible option, with free parking at the village entrance and a journey of around 40 minutes from the city; a taxi from Shantou Railway Station takes around 30 minutes with a listed fare of CNY 150, and return cars can be scarce on public holidays. Tourist Route 103 reaches Qianmei Village stop, with a reference journey of 1.5 hours and fare of CNY 6.
Combining nearby stops
Qianmei Ancient Village, Zhanglin Ancient Port and Shibacong Banyan Trees fit in the same half day or day as the residence; Nan’ao Island is around an hour away by car. Do not compress extensive indoor sightseeing and a long drive into the same day, and follow the signs through the maze-like courtyards to avoid missed sections or backtracking.
Know before you go
Crowds, interpretation and access limits
Tour groups are more common on weekend and public-holiday afternoons, so before 09:00 or around 15:00 gives a calmer architectural visit. You can choose a paid guide or electronic guide if useful; some corridors and areas of Taobaixuan are restricted, so do not include closed areas in your route timing.
Footwear and energy
Stone paths, stairs and multi-level corridors make trainers more practical than high heels; allow 2–3 hours and carry water. Low-saturation or plain clothing works well for portraits, but do not block passageways or affect other visitors for photographs.