Fengzhou Park

Fengzhou Park

Over the centuries, officials and gentry built numerous pavilions and towers on the islet. “Rain at Phoenix Terrace” is the crown jewel among the Eight Scenic Spots of Chaozhou.

Fengzhou Park is located at the head of the sandbank beneath the Han River Bridge, in the southern suburbs of Chaozhou City. The Phoenix Terrace in the park consists of a base structure and a pavilion, forming a classic traditional pavilion building. The four-pillar, single-eave pavilion stands firmly atop a tall stone foundation, with its upturned eaves towering elegantly and gracefully. Its plaques inscribed with “Rain at Phoenix Terrace,” “Pillar in Midstream,” and “Phoenix Comes to Court,” along with its wooden structure, traditional Ming-style brackets, and classic green-tiled roof, exude refined cultural charm. Since its construction during the Ming Dynasty, officials and local gentry from the Ming and Qing dynasties successively established over ten scenic spots here, including the “Ten Ministers’ Shrine,” “Phoenix Terrace Academy,” “Temple of Literature,” “Dragon God Temple,” “Tianhou Palace,” “Zhenhong Temple,” “Lu Gong Shrine,” “Zhou Gong Shrine,” and the “Kui Pavilion.”

However, due to the passage of time, most of these sites have vanished, with only the Phoenix Terrace, Kui Pavilion, and Tianhou Palace surviving repeated destruction and reconstruction due to their breathtaking scenery and cultural significance.

Originally named Laoyazhou (Crow Islet), the site was renamed Fengzhou (Phoenix Islet) in the late Ming Dynasty. Magistrate Hou Baideng of Chaozhou frequently visited the sandbank and was captivated by its serene beauty. Recognizing the area’s thriving literary culture and extraordinary surroundings, he concluded it must be the legendary dwelling place of the phoenix, rather than a haunt for crows. Thus, he renamed it Fengzhou and, in the second year of the Longqing era (1568), constructed a towering stone terrace over ten zhang high, naming it “Phoenix Terrace.” Since then, it has become an iconic attraction that visitors find hard to leave.

Rain at Phoenix Terrace — One of the Eight Scenic Spots of Chaozhou

Rain at Phoenix Terrace, also anciently known as “Rain at Phoenix Terrace,” or sometimes referred to as “Rain at Phoenix Platform.”

In summer and autumn, the gentle breeze carries away the heat, especially during changeable weather when the river presents ever-shifting, spectacular scenes. Sailboats dot the water, while the Xiangzi Bridge shimmers in the misty rain. Gazing upward, wispy clouds drift over the peaks of Bijia Mountain, with mist veiling the towers. This enchanting scene is what is known as “Rain at Phoenix Terrace.”

The September 9th Kite Festival — Every year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Chaozhou hosts its Kite Festival, where kites from all over gather in Fengzhou Park to compete in beauty. On clear days, the sky becomes a vibrant tapestry of countless kites — a true spectacle.

Admission: Fengzhou Park — 10 RMB.

Transportation

Location: Located in Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou City. The Phoenix Terrace sits on the sandbank of the Han River.

Transportation: Take bus No. 12 and get off at Fengzhou Park. Alternatively, you can walk from the west end of the Xiangzi Bridge, follow the riverside park along the Han River embankment southward, cross the Han River Bridge, then head east for about 300 meters — the park is right next to the Xianzhou approach bridge.