On the second day, we had breakfast at Meritus Club in our hotel and then headed to Chaozhou City (潮州). We visited two attractions in the morning – Xiangziqiao (湘子桥) and Kaiyuanshi (开元寺).
![Our breakfast area Our breakfast area](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4378516037_9eb534630c_o.jpg)
![Great city view from the Meritus club room Great city view from the Meritus club room](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4379289048_74526384dc_o.jpg)
![Grabbing our breakfast Grabbing our breakfast](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4379293798_603bc7e589_o.jpg)
![My breakfast My breakfast](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4379279556_cd079aa89c_o.jpg)
![Fish ball soup noodle Fish ball soup noodle](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4378513251_38e2f3a3b6_o.jpg)
![Char Siew Pau Char Siew Pau](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4378508867_20a2fe9830_o.jpg)
![A luxurious condominium beside our hotel A luxurious condominium beside our hotel](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4379288674_46e259bef2_o.jpg)
![The other more regular housing The other more regular housing](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4378507525_91ebc1cb30_o.jpg)
Xiangziqiao is one of the four oldest bridge in China. Many Teochew businessmen contributed funds to its restoration and preservation, including Hong Kong tycoon, Li Ka-Shing (李嘉诚). There were originally two iconic bull statues on the bridge. After one sunk into the sea, the other was replaced with the replica seen at the bridge today.
![Bridge entrance Bridge entrance](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4379296322_4e39e4b5a7_o.jpg)
![Rachel with her mom and sis Rachel with her mom and sis](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4378532731_2f874e501d_o.jpg)
![Eunice trying to turn the spoke Eunice trying to turn the spoke](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4378505843_d6be5e0290_o.jpg)
![Nice symmetry Nice symmetry](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4379277506_8bd0825e71_o.jpg)
![Symmetry again Symmetry again](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4379255352_27bc0cb135_o.jpg)
![The omy.sg team The omy.sg team](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4379270732_f36f26e48e_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I with the replica bull Rachel and I with the replica bull](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4379254990_2269c8a6fa_o.jpg)
![Boats for hire to reach the other pavilion Boats for hire to reach the other pavilion](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4378543207_b84f19835c_o.jpg)
![Rachel on the bridge Rachel on the bridge](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4379282804_9edece5d22_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I on the bridge Rachel and I on the bridge](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4378503613_c768876cee_o.jpg)
![A wider view of the bridge A wider view of the bridge](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4379273082_20b05f2636_o.jpg)
![Rachel with her mom and sis again Rachel with her mom and sis again](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4379283138_0d5c887087_o.jpg)
![Teochew businessmen who have donated to the bridge preservation Teochew businessmen who have donated to the bridge preservation](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4379283804_173b307887_o.jpg)
![The old city opposite the bridge which we did not have time to explore The old city opposite the bridge which we did not have time to explore](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4378515495_26fbcc0445_o.jpg)
![Three signboards Three signboards](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4378527445_6541e0632d_o.jpg)
![Entrance to the old city for some shopping Entrance to the old city for some shopping](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4379294382_a4c71550cc_o.jpg)
![Buying fruits to snack on the bus Buying fruits to snack on the bus](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4379277170_30034150c7_o.jpg)
![Olive seller Olive seller](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4379264596_18a93023f4_o.jpg)
Kaiyuanshi refers to a series of ancient temples constructed during the Tangs Dynasty (618-907), commissioned by the superstitious sixth Tang Emperor, 唐玄宗 (712-756). The one we visited is one of the few surviving temples. The area near the temple sells a lot of traditional snacks like preserved plums and “Buddha’s Hand (佛手)” aka fingered citron (a kind of fruit shaped like a giant human hand).
![Kaiyuenshi Kaiyuenshi](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4378518075_87854ee39b_o.jpg)
![Temple entrance Temple entrance](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4378528947_a93d959dca_o.jpg)
![One of the two "door god" (门神) One of the two "door god" (门神)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4378538095_b10f089bb5_o.jpg)
![Our guide, Weijian, briefing us on the temple history Our guide, Weijian, briefing us on the temple history](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4378533077_2f6cf47beb_o.jpg)
![A smaller shrine inside the temple A smaller shrine inside the temple](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4378518387_07d8c384fb_o.jpg)
![Giant incense urn Giant incense urn](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4379282590_bf152590ef_o.jpg)
![Some guy making an offering Some guy making an offering](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4379269874_08dfb949b6_o.jpg)
![Han Joo found her long lost sister in the temple Han Joo found her long lost sister in the temple](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4379281206_f23f34cbc9_o.jpg)
![Group shot with the VIPs in our tour group Group shot with the VIPs in our tour group](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4378505551_9b24eedb49_o.jpg)
![An alter in the temple An alter in the temple](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4378544631_57187d15d5_o.jpg)
![Laughing budhas Laughing budhas](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4378539641_fa2c18b4a4_o.jpg)
![Another alter Another alter](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4378533711_2807055834_o.jpg)
![Street outside the temple Street outside the temple](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4378512551_f8d1965c8c_o.jpg)
![Stall selling preserved tidbits like the Buddha's Hand Stall selling preserved tidbits like the Buddha's Hand](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4378502899_fa9812c870_o.jpg)
![A fat cat in one of the stalls A fat cat in one of the stalls](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4379281414_b037ebafc8_o.jpg)
![One of the many little stalls outside the temple selling prayer stuff One of the many little stalls outside the temple selling prayer stuff](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4378544225_6b85daa31c_o.jpg)
After seeing the attractions, we headed to a bridal gown factory which the local government was very proud of. Apparently, the gowns are exported for sale in Europe and America for more than ten times the production and raw material cost. We saw a lot of XXXXXXL gowns being tailored there. Obviously, there’s a lucrative market for producing non-regular sized gowns.
![Factory entrance Factory entrance](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4378510831_260f37a6b0_o.jpg)
![Gowns on display Gowns on display](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4379277724_3b399e48dd_o.jpg)
![The catalogue The catalogue](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4378521831_3f90dc952a_o.jpg)
![The president of the Teochew association, posing for the cameras The president of the Teochew association, posing for the cameras](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4378521593_8789486539_o.jpg)
![Super size gown Super size gown](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4379295486_cc67605991_o.jpg)
![Most of the tailored gowns are jumbo sized Most of the tailored gowns are jumbo sized](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4379271588_706aa35427_o.jpg)
![Our moms scrutinising a gown together Our moms scrutinising a gown together](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4379294724_9c46c6f7c1_o.jpg)
![Ready gowns Ready gowns](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4379263390_ba2d6c483b_o.jpg)
![The designers The designers](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4379266114_272a1e319f_o.jpg)
![Labouriously working on the trimmings Labouriously working on the trimmings](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4378538371_e1584cb961_o.jpg)
![Hard at work Hard at work](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4378517799_9a8f74596f_o.jpg)
![It's a large factory It's a large factory](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4379269766_c406f58889_o.jpg)
![Sharing with our, the labour process Sharing with our, the labour process](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4379268178_d53b91f254_o.jpg)
![Getting interviewd by the local television station Getting interviewd by the local television station](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4378532411_fd7249a9eb_o.jpg)
We then headed for a heavy lunch hosted by the local government. Eating takes up five hours of our time daily – two hours each for lunch and dinner, one hour for breakfast. Scary isn’t it?
![Our lunch destination Our lunch destination](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4379257744_b7f344687c_o.jpg)
![Our host giving a speech Our host giving a speech](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4379269118_b6de53e2e0_o.jpg)
![Whole pieces of abalone Whole pieces of abalone](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4379261172_53355efeb2_o.jpg)
![Unagi and duck Unagi and duck](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4378512395_7695758197_o.jpg)
![Black fungus with meat and veggies Black fungus with meat and veggies](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4379264312_6f41e16415_o.jpg)
![Ugly looking fish that taste surprisingly good Ugly looking fish that taste surprisingly good](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4379259134_b8d9413438_o.jpg)
![Stir-fried pork with cashew Stir-fried pork with cashew](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4378505955_e0189a1130_o.jpg)
![Pork rib soup Pork rib soup](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4379271892_053ebbb476_o.jpg)
![Fried breaded prawn sandwich Fried breaded prawn sandwich](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4379275564_353786ab06_o.jpg)
![Kway Tiao Kway Tiao](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4378507599_a5493f559a_o.jpg)
![Jade green veggies Jade green veggies](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2703/4378520315_7f3028f7e3_o.jpg)
![Zhui Kway and some green bean pastry Zhui Kway and some green bean pastry](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4378520417_eafdf7c413_o.jpg)
After lunch, we visited Cidu (瓷都), located in Chao’an County (潮安县). We didn’t have much time to shop there, but our parents managed to buy two tea sets for use during our traditional wedding tea ceremony in June. The tea sets have carps painted on them. Rachel and I like them very much.
![Cidu exhibition hall Cidu exhibition hall](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4379273602_67e7bbce55_o.jpg)
![Giant porcelain plate Giant porcelain plate](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4378541645_e4e10753b4_o.jpg)
![Colourful porcelain flower Colourful porcelain flower](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4379292048_6b36e433b6_o.jpg)
![The workmanship is so fine the flower looks real The workmanship is so fine the flower looks real](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4378527807_69541aa5da_o.jpg)
![Giant porcelain vase Giant porcelain vase](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4378537137_6f32d1bc24_o.jpg)
![The 108 heroes in the Chinese classic, Water Margin (水滸傳) The 108 heroes in the Chinese classic, Water Margin (水滸傳)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4378525975_5d1b11d136_o.jpg)
![Close-up of some of the heroes Close-up of some of the heroes](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4378504015_d36bcf847f_o.jpg)
![World's longest ceramic mural World's longest ceramic mural](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4378505137_b07654b137_o.jpg)
![Ceramic painting Ceramic painting](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4378536621_d70b1e6fc7_o.jpg)
![Another big ceramic vase Another big ceramic vase](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4379282940_88f4496d62_o.jpg)
![Rows after rows of award-winning ceramic pieces Rows after rows of award-winning ceramic pieces](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4378507849_1541ff6036_o.jpg)
![Women musicians Women musicians](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4378516403_b8a4a42536_o.jpg)
![The Eight Immortals (八仙) The Eight Immortals (八仙)](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4379257130_ab371154a7_o.jpg)
![World class ceramic potties World class ceramic potties](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4378525097_d44ff82d62_o.jpg)
![Eunice fooling around Eunice fooling around](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4379272606_1702d3428e_o.jpg)
![Potty for toddlers Potty for toddlers](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4379281786_881e6bfac2_o.jpg)
![The tea set our parents bought The tea set our parents bought](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4378513799_fb99f9217d_o.jpg)
![off to Raoping off to Raoping](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4378503465_199ca3f228_o.jpg)
After Cidu, we headed to Raoping County (饶平县) to visit an old Hakka (客家) commune where over 600 people used to reside in. There are only about 30 people still staying there now. Stepping into the commune was like stepping through time. We took lots of pictures. The children in the commune were very lively and enjoyed having their pictures taken. Unlike in India, they did not ask us for tips or money after that. That felt really nice.
![Posing with the Rolls Royce for the VIPs in our tour group Posing with the Rolls Royce for the VIPs in our tour group](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4378534231_c6e90ac4f5_o.jpg)
![At the village At the village](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4378535105_f43fe75e21_o.jpg)
![Little girls Little girls](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4379294068_c533448e1b_o.jpg)
![Public toilet... the stench was... Public toilet... the stench was...](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4379271096_2538866744_o.jpg)
![Community message education the villagers not to discriminate girls Community message education the villagers not to discriminate girls](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4379273960_ee8693efc9_o.jpg)
![Entrance to the Hakka commune Entrance to the Hakka commune](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4378513657_c4868e5ae9_o.jpg)
![Cheery kids greeted us in the commune Cheery kids greeted us in the commune](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4378525731_6fa8e1e2c1_o.jpg)
![Conference under the tree Conference under the tree](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4378539991_4c46e3c601_o.jpg)
![Two kids hiding on the trees Two kids hiding on the trees](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4378513171_119e347c31_o.jpg)
!["Nail flower" (铁钉花) that grows on the roof "Nail flower" (铁钉花) that grows on the roof](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4379265720_64575c3eae_o.jpg)
![More of this strange flower More of this strange flower](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4378526295_ec1331c159_o.jpg)
![Rachel in the commune Rachel in the commune](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4378509763_8412b34f17_o.jpg)
![Me in the commune Me in the commune](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4378513909_043fdb6e28_o.jpg)
![Another picture of me Another picture of me](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4378518545_1cb2cdaef3_o.jpg)
![Kids wondering who are these strangers taking pictures of their house Kids wondering who are these strangers taking pictures of their house](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4378519873_d428296122_o.jpg)
![Rachel with the village chicken Rachel with the village chicken](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/4379270878_5041d81afc_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I Rachel and I](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4378537675_856962e4b5_o.jpg)
![Old wooden doors Old wooden doors](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4379281606_17df39a2eb_o.jpg)
![A peek inside one of the houses A peek inside one of the houses](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4378511847_eda91a06f0_o.jpg)
![Heading upstairs Heading upstairs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4379296024_9f24afba99_o.jpg)
![View from atop View from atop](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4378506979_15bda676bd_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the roof Close-up of the roof](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4378509359_a99589b0c1_o.jpg)
![Me on the second floor Me on the second floor](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4379266558_f47d3cf7fd_o.jpg)
![Rachel on the second floor Rachel on the second floor](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4379276378_3a71da9496_o.jpg)
![The village kids posing for our cameras The village kids posing for our cameras](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4379259012_f193358af9_o.jpg)
![Dashing to be in the group photo Dashing to be in the group photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4379264898_59b93e19fe_o.jpg)
We proceeded for dinner after that at Raoping Hotel, hosted by the Raoping government. After dinner, we did a little shopping at a shop that specialises in Raoping’s famous produces such as their frozen chicken and duck. This ended our official itinerary for the day. We then headed back to our hotel.
![Our dinner venue Our dinner venue](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4378524437_39ce7357c9_o.jpg)
![The usual official speeches before meals The usual official speeches before meals](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4378515221_18cfec3f9f_o.jpg)
![The SPH team The SPH team](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4378508271_6b3e0461b9_o.jpg)
![Duck meat Duck meat](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4378517463_3a212e0070_o.jpg)
![Lobster noodle Lobster noodle](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4378507325_1043412843_o.jpg)
![Pea pods with meat Pea pods with meat](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4378523585_430ea61282_o.jpg)
![Some prawn snacks Some prawn snacks](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4378508037_4f3ccd8226_o.jpg)
![Authentic "Niang Dou Fu" with meat inside Authentic "Niang Dou Fu" with meat inside](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4378522303_a4974eecea_o.jpg)
![Clear soup with fish and turnip Clear soup with fish and turnip](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4378504317_65b8b924cc_o.jpg)
![Can you guess what's in this tea pot? Can you guess what's in this tea pot?](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4378515065_f179bebd74_o.jpg)
![Real Bak Kut Teh! Real Bak Kut Teh!](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4378522051_4e0cccafe5_o.jpg)
![Sweet pork Sweet pork](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4378514509_b5769f4308_o.jpg)
![Black fungus Black fungus](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4379263210_0e63f14df9_o.jpg)
![Steamed fish Steamed fish](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4379287620_fb92d65cfa_o.jpg)
![Eel meat Eel meat](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4378527131_23a8a6125b_o.jpg)
![Giant chunks of carbo-laden food items to fill you up Giant chunks of carbo-laden food items to fill you up](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4378514629_2474910b92_o.jpg)
![Some light shopping after dinner Some light shopping after dinner](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4379269992_4c51ab1d07_o.jpg)
![Vacuum packed chicken feet Vacuum packed chicken feet](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4379275986_b83885cc8a_o.jpg)
However, as Han Joo, Nicholas, Rachel and I were still bursting with energy, we decided to explore the night market near our hotel to check out the local hawker fares and do some light shopping on our own. Nicholas found some dog and cat meat street vendors and wanted to try them out. He was stopped vehemently by the ladies. We settled for the much tamer Beef Ball (牛肉丸) Kway Tiao instead. This was delightful – a marked difference from the lavish spreads we were fed with the past few meals. Sometime, simplicity is the best.
![Night shopping with Nic and Han Joo Night shopping with Nic and Han Joo](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4378524899_0995dbc165_o.jpg)
![Fruits stall Fruits stall](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4378517635_786e11554a_o.jpg)
![Buying some strawberries Buying some strawberries](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4378519249_54b43b2384_o.jpg)
![Nic wanted to eat here Nic wanted to eat here](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4379272006_ca5ab75ce3_o.jpg)
![Dog meat stall Dog meat stall](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4379276254_d2d3a30812_o.jpg)
![Enjoying a bowl of steaming hot beef kway tiao Enjoying a bowl of steaming hot beef kway tiao](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4379254516_37fd6d6548_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the beef balls Close-up of the beef balls](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4378501685_d60eb893e2_o.jpg)
![Rachel was pleasantly surprised to find this in our hotel room at night Rachel was pleasantly surprised to find this in our hotel room at night](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4379276092_920260f082_o.jpg)
![A special set of toiletries for the newly wed :) A special set of toiletries for the newly wed :)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4379257598_0f3c757ca4_o.jpg)
We went back to our hotel to tuck in for the night, bloated and tired. That concluded our second day. Stay tuned for my next update. 🙂
Previous Entries:
Home and away in Shantou (Rachel’s my paper article)
Day 1 – Arrival, Teochew Opera
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the food look very delicious :p
i like the way u described the ladies as “vehemently” stopping me haha