Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark
Volcanic activity some 200 million years ago shaped Qinglan Guaijiu Valley, whose landscape is both strange and beautiful.…
Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark, Chaoshan
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥60
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Getting there
- The site is remote and public transport is limited, so hiring a car or driving yourself is recommended.
- Phone
- 8：00—18：00（5—9月）8：00—17：30（10月—次年4月）
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 2388. Open in Google Maps
About Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark
Volcanic activity some 200 million years ago shaped Qinglan Guaijiu Valley, whose landscape is both strange and beautiful. Thousands of distinctive mortar-shaped potholes (shijiu hu) pock the riverbed and the undersides of its caves. Strange mortars, rocks and caves come together here, and a stroll through the valley is a constant source of wonder. The mysterious Dihe Cave (Dihe Dong) is the highlight: within it, mortars sit inside caves and caves inside mortars, and its underground river has flowed for a thousand years without drying up. The valley was also a filming location for the film “Shame Iron Fist” (《羞羞的铁拳》).
Tips from the guidebook
- Chaozhou music: This music has a distinctive Chaoshan local character, blending elements from kunqu and xiqin opera. It is divided into percussion ensembles, string ensembles, fine music, flute-and-suite ancient music and temple music, with melodies that are graceful, varied and pleasant to the ear. Chaozhou opera (Chaoju) is one of the four major opera genres of Guangdong. Known as the “Flower of the South,” it evolved from Song and Yuan southern opera. Its musical arrangements are delicate and harmonious, its singing is lovely, and its best-known role types are the xiaosheng (young male), xiaodan (young female) and xiaochou (clown). In Shantou, be sure to set aside time to sit in a teahouse, sipping gongfu tea while enjoying Chaozhou music and Chaozhou opera.
- Tea art: Hengshan Lin Tea Art is located on the middle section of Hengshan Road in Longhu District, Shantou, and is a good place to drink Chaoshan gongfu tea.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark cost?
Admission to Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark is ¥60, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark?
The site is remote and public transport is limited, so hiring a car or driving yourself is recommended.
How long should I spend at Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark?
Plan on 2 hours for Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark.
Where is Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark?
Qinglan Guaijiu Valley National Geopark is in Chaoshan, Guangdong Province, in the South China of China.
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