Shantou: Mayu Island: Chaoshan Culture and Island Romance on the Pearl of the Bay

🌊 General Overview Mayu Island is located in the central urban area of Shantou City, Guangdong Province. It is an ecological island in the inner bay, covering an area of about 0.3 square kilometers. It is named after the two Mazu Temples on the island. It has both the incense inheritance of the millennium Mazu belief and the collision of modern art and natural scenery. It is known as the "Maritime Entrance of Chaoshan Culture" and the "Chinese version of Little Kamakura." The Haiwan Bridge is like a rainbow lying on the waves, closely connecting the island with the city, forming a unique landscape of "bridge and island interdependence." It is a healing island to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. 🌟 Core Highlights: The Interweaving of Culture, Nature, and Local Life 🏮 Belief and History: The Living Heritage of Mazu Culture • Twin Mazu Temples: Xinma Temple (Qing Dynasty) and Laoma Temple (Yuan Dynasty) stand side by side. The wood carvings, stone carvings, and embedded porcelain craftsmanship are exquisite, and the incense is very prosperous. Fishermen must come to worship and pray before going to sea. • Chao Customs Site: The site of the first customs in eastern Guangdong, established in 1853. The mottled stone walls tell the history of Shantou's opening as a port. It is now the Chaoshan Overseas Chinese Culture Exhibition Hall. 🌅 Art and Nature: A New Landmark of Island Aesthetics • Graffiti Street and Lighthouse: The colorful graffiti walls along the Haiwan Bridge (such as octopus and fishing boat themes) and the pure white lighthouse form an Internet-famous spot, where you can easily take Japanese film-like photos. • Sea-view Plank Road and Sunset: The mint blue railings connect the reef viewing platforms. At dusk, the Haiwan Bridge is plated with gold, and the silhouettes of fishing boats blend with the sunset. It is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 🦪 A Feast for the Taste Buds: Chaoshan Flavors and Seafood Carnival • Yujia Xiaochu: A semi-mountain suspended terrace restaurant. Must-order dishes include steamed grouper and stir-fried thin-shell rice. The ingredients are freshly caught and cooked. You can enjoy a feast for only CNY 80 per person. • Yu Jian Cafe: Klein blue window frames and a sea-view book bar. It is recommended to order sea salt caramel latte with freshly baked seaweed crisps. The photo output rate is 100%. 📝 In-depth Gameplay: An Immersive Experience from Sunrise to Starry Night 🎫 Tickets and Opening • Free admission: You can enter all day, and some attractions (such as the cafe and book bar) require consumption to enter. • Hidden gameplay: Climb to Guanlan Pavilion at 6am to photograph the morning mist of the Twin Mazu Temples, or rent a fishing boat around the island (about CNY 150/boat) to explore the unopened reef area. 🚶 Recommended Classic Route • Culture Line: Chao Customs → Laoma Temple → Xinma Temple → Tianhou Ancient Temple Niangniang Stone Statue → Graffiti Street (2 hours). • Leisure Line: Sea-view Plank Road → Yu Jian Cafe → Yujia Xiaochu Lunch → Beachcombing → Sunset Viewing (4 hours). 🌸 Photography Tips • Photo Spots: ◦ Graffiti Wall Lighthouse: Use a wide-angle lens to shoot upwards to highlight the geometric lines and the connection between the sea and the sky; ◦ Fishing Boat Silhouette: Use a telephoto lens to compress the space and capture the dynamic moment of fishermen casting their nets. 🚗 Transportation Guide: Convenient Direct Access and City Roaming • Self-driving: Navigate to "Mayu Island Tourist Area," via the north approach bridge of Haiwan Bridge. The bridge toll is CNY 15, and the parking fee on the island is CNY 4/time (2 hours). • Bus: Take the "Mayu Island Special Line" (CNY 2) from Shantou Railway Station. The frequency is dense (6:30–19:00), and the last bus returns at 19:40. 🏡 Nearby Accommodation: A Quiet Choice to Sleep with the Waves • Design Homestay: ◦ Yu An·Yin: Pure white ins-style four-bedroom suite with a rooftop terrace facing the sunset. It is a 3-minute walk to the beach, and includes a kitchen for self-service barbecue (CNY 1,200/night for the whole building). ◦ Chaoqi Xiaoyuan: Red brick and green plant courtyard, retro tatami tea seat, listen to the sound of the tide at night to sleep, the king of cost performance at CNY 80 per person. • Light Luxury Experience: ◦ Qihai Homestay: Nordic-style sea-view loft with a 270° bay window overlooking the sea. It provides a beachcombing kit, suitable for families with children (standard room CNY 600/night). 📸 Recommended Joint Tours: Shantou Culture and Mountain & Sea Tour • Xiaogongyuan Arcade: 15 km from the island, a century-old commercial port building complex, a night tour of the light show to reproduce the style of the Republic of China. • Nan'ao Island: A 40-minute drive away, Qing'ao Bay's blue sea and golden sand form a "double island linkage" route with Mayu Island. From the devout prayers of Chaoshan culture to the modern magnificence of the Haiwan Bridge, from the local life of Yujia Xiaochu to the artistic style of Graffiti Street, Mayu Island has become a treasure destination in eastern Guangdong with the spirituality of "hiding the past and the present in one island." Whether you are a traveler in search of faith or an urbanite who desires wild fun, there is always a sea breeze here to soothe all the hustle and bustle for you.