Meizhou is located in the northeast of Guangdong province and covers an area of 15,864.51 square kilometers. There are eight counties (cities) and districts under its jurisdiction. By 2023, the registered population reached 5.35 million, with a resident population of 3.85 million, including 2.09 million in urban areas.

As the hometown of Marshal Ye Jianying, Meizhou holds several prestigious titles, including being a National Historical and Cultural City, an Excellent Tourism City in China, one of China's Top 10 Distinctive Leisure Cities, a National Sanitary City and the Most Popular Destination for Self-drive Tours in Guangdong.

Situated at the junction of Guangdong, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, Meizhou is an important portal connecting the coastal cities of Guangdong with its vast inland areas.

The Hakka Museum of China [Photo/meizhou.gov.cn]

A remarkable place producing outstanding individuals, Meizhou is known as the "Capital of Hakka in the World". It is home to millions of Hakka people, whose ancestors were believed to have migrated from Central China to the south centuries ago. With a long history and profound Hakka heritage, Meizhou is both the final settlement place for the southward-moving Hakka and the main departure place for Hakka spreading across the world since the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

In addition to its Hakka culture, Meizhou is famous for its ballads. The Ballad of Meizhou is generally thought to have been formed during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It is a mixture of local and Hakka culture, with lyrics resembling ancient Chinese poetry. The ballads, passed down through oral tradition, mostly explore themes of love.

While Meizhou's cuisine is not as famous as the globally renowned Cantonese cuisine, it boasts several well-known staples. These include salt-baked chicken, meat stuffed tofu, preserved beef, and candied ginger. The region is also known for its Dancong Oolong tea, a family of thin strip-style oolong teas from Guangdong province.

By the end of 2023, Meizhou boasts 51 national 3A or higher tourist attractions (the second highest in the province), including one 5A scenic spot, 14 4A scenic spots, and 36 3A scenic spots. The city is home to 552 cultural heritage protection units at various levels, including 11 national key cultural heritage protection units and 103 provincial-level units. Additionally, Meizhou has 427 intangible cultural heritage projects at various levels, including seven national-level and 37 provincial-level projects.

Official website: https://www.meizhou.gov.cn/