SHANTOU, a four-hour bus ride from Hong Kong, is growing to be of interest to Hong Kong visitors and tourists who want to see beyond the usual attractions of the special administrative region without going too far or spending too much.
Situated in eastern Guangdong province, this famous hometown for overseas Chinese is just adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau.
With its status as one of China's special economic zones, Shantou has become a magnet for foreign investment and is home to 4,805 foreign-funded enterprises, joint ventures and cooperative enterprises.
The Gulf bridge and the Shenzhen-Shantou Expressway connect the three special economic zones - Shantou, Xiamen and Shenzhen, forming and important backbone for the southeast coastal region. Shantou's airport currently handles 40 international and domestic routes.
Like other places in Guangdong, the climate in Shantou is temperate.
Among the new tourist facilities that have mushroomed in this flourishing city is the 33-storey high Regency Hotel. The property features 71 superior rooms and suites. With the promise of improved service in the next couple of months, the hotel hopes to get accreditation as a five-star property from China officials next year.
General manager Alfred Chan expects 60 per cent of the hotel's clients to come from the domestic market, and 40 per cent from Hong Kong.
"The local market is improving rapidly," Hong Kong-born Chan says, adding that the hotel's 60,000sq foot huge convention floor is a reflection of the management's optimism in the city's draw. Chan says trade fairs, exhibitions and cultural activities can be staged here.
"We are hopeful that Hong Kong companies would look this way when they organise meetings and conventions.
"It's not too far from Hong Kong and it provides city folk with refreshing scenery."
Around Shantou, the historic attractions are plenty though touristic infrastructure is not quite in place yet. Among the best places to visit are Mayu Island, Qingyun Crag and the Lotus Flower Cliff in Haimen county.
In nearby Chaozhou, the art of serving oolong tea in tiny cups before and after a meal is popular as a digestive aid.
Popular buys for both foreign and domestic tourists are Chaozhou embroidery, pottery, porcelain and woodcut. Chaozhou music and drama and also well received by local and overseas Chinese in southeast Asia.