The remaining 2.6-kilometre stretch of Chaozhou's city walls dates to the Song dynasty and forms one of the best-preserved examples of medieval urban fortification in southern China. The walk along the top of the walls, above the old city, gives good views over the rooftops of the historic quarter and down to the Han River. Several original gate towers and watch towers survive along the circuit.
The most photographed stretch runs along the riverfront east of the old city, where the walls run close to the Han River and the Guangji Bridge is visible from the parapet. The walls are free to walk for much of their length; some sections near the gate towers charge a small entry fee. Evening is a particularly pleasant time, when the old city lights up below and the river traffic quiets down.