There is an ancient Chinese saying: A letter from home is a priceless treasure. Recently, Dear You, a Chaoshan-dialect film, featuring qiaopi, a unique form of family letter, moved millions of viewers, both in China and among the Chinese diaspora, to tears with its heartfelt storytelling.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Chinese emigrants, particularly from Guangdong and Fujian provinces, sent qiaopi — a unique form of correspondence that combined a family letter with a remittance certificate — home from Southeast Asia. The qiaopi provided financial support to their families, while also letting their loved ones know they were safe. For many, qiaopi was the only thread linking them to those whom they left behind.
The film, which centered on love, sacrifice and family ties, returned qiaopi to the spotlight. It also put Chaoshan — a distinct cultural region, composed of Chaozhou, Jieyang and Shantou, all cities in eastern Guangdong — on the map. The movie's vivid portrayal of local architecture, cultural heritage and charming landscapes struck a chord with audiences, and sparked a wave of film-inspired tourism across China. In fact, countless viewers have flocked to the real-life locations where the story was filmed. Women of China invites you, our readers, to embark on a journey through Chaoshan — to soak in the coastal scenery, wander along the ancient streets, experience the folk traditions, and uncover the living heritage of this region.
The film opens with a young man, Xiaowei, who sets out for Thailand in search of Zheng Musheng, his grandfather. Xiaowei believes Zheng is a wealthy tycoon. But what Xiaowei uncovers, instead, is a story far older — and more deeply moving — than he ever expected.
Set in the 1940s, the narrative follows Zheng, who leaves his coastal hometown, in Chaoshan, to work in Southeast Asia. Through years of hardship, in Malaysia and Thailand, Zheng labors tirelessly, faithfully sending qiaopi home to support his wife, Ye Shurou, who is raising their three children alone. After Zheng's death, Xie Nanzhi, a woman who owed him a debt of gratitude, quietly watches over Ye, from afar, secretly writing letters and sending money, in Zheng's name, for 18 years.
Many of the film's key scenes were shot at historical sites throughout the Chaoshan region: Shantou's century-old arcade buildings and traditional residences, Chaozhou's ancient village and classical garden, and Jieyang's old, well-preserved towns. These places are not just film locations; in actuality, they are living communities, where centuries-old traditions and daily life intertwine. Visitors can trace the footsteps of the characters, while they also experience firsthand the region's rich cultural heritage.
Charming Urban Scenes
For those who want to immerse themselves in the lively, old-town atmosphere captured in the film, Xiaogongyuan, situated in downtown Shantou, offers a natural place to start. This historical and cultural district invites visitors to step back in time, while they experience the charm of southern China's urban culture.
Xiaogongyuan boasts one of China's largest, and best-preserved, arcade complexes. Arcade building, with a frontage arcade on its ground floor that allows pedestrians to pass through, is a unique architectural style in southern China. The district's arcade buildings, built during the 1920s and 1930s, are a striking fusion of Eastern and Western architectural elements. Many of the film's street scenes were shot here. Walking beneath the arcades, it is easy to imagine the characters passing along these very streets, as if stepping directly into the world of the film.
At No. 7 Haiping Road, visitors will find a century-old arcade building, which served as the filming location for Xiannan Cinema in the movie. The faded sign and vintage poster, on its exterior wall, have been preserved, looking almost identical to how they appear on screen — making it a favorite spot for commemorative photos.
The Qiaopi Cultural Relics Museum, also situated in Xiaogongyuan, is China's first museum dedicated to qiaopi. The museum holds rare artifacts that document the struggles of generations of overseas Chinese, and their profound love for their families, hometowns and the motherland — the very story that lies at the heart of the movie.
Another must-see in Shantou is Chen Cihong Former Residence. More than a century ago, Chen, an overseas Chinese entrepreneur, who found success in Thailand, returned to his hometown to build a grand family mansion. The residence blends traditional Chaoshan-style architecture with European and Southeast Asian influences — from Roman columns to Islamic-style tiles — making it one of the largest, and best-preserved, overseas-Chinese mansions in southern China.
Centuries-Old Towns, Villages
Jieyang offers a quieter side of the film's landscapes. The inn where Xie worked, and the food stall she later ran, both portrayed as being in Thailand, were actually filmed in Mianhu Ancient Town, in Jieyang. During ancient times, Mianhu was a thriving center of handicrafts and trade, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The well-preserved historic streets and traditional workshops offer visitors an authentic glimpse into local life.
The film also captures the nostalgic, rural beauty of the Chaoshan region. One of its most memorable scenes — Zheng's first encounter with Ye, as she walked across an old stone bridge during a folk activity — was filmed in Xiqi Village, also in Jieyang. Built in 1982, the bridge remains surrounded by the same serene landscape seen on the screen: Farmhouses, ancient banyan trees and rice fields, stretching toward the distant hills. Since the film's release, the village has become a popular spot for movie enthusiasts.
The film also takes visitors to Chaozhou, home to Longhu Ancient Village, one of the region's most-treasured historical sites. Longhu, which dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), is among the best-preserved traditional villages in eastern Guangdong Province. It served as the backdrop for many of the film's scenes set in Southeast Asia — including Xiaowei's search for his grandfather through ancestral halls.
Renowned for its well-preserved dwellings and ancestral halls, dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Longhu has long been hailed as "an exhibition of Chaoshan architecture." Stepping into the village feels like entering a living museum, not just of centuries-old bricks and timber, but of the clan traditions and folk customs that have shaped Chaoshan culture for centuries. For travelers seeking to go beyond the screen and experience authentic Chaoshan culture, Longhu offers a rewarding destination.
For those seeking the places where the film was shot, Chaoshan offers much more than recognizable backdrops; it offers a glimpse into a way of life, one that has endured for generations.
Photos from VCG
(Women of China English Monthly July 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
