This Chinese New Year, Guangzhou offers a culture-themed holiday experience, with major attractions opening across the city—from an immersive Ancient Egyptian exhibition enhanced by digital technology, to a large-scale Tang-style lantern in the city center, and a newly premiered acrobatic stage play for family audiences.
A Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Meet Digital Art in Guangzhou
The "A Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Artifacts and Digital Art Experience" exhibition officially opened on February 6 at the Nanyue King Museum (Tomb Exhibition Area) and will run through October 11, 2026.
Curated collaboratively by the museum, the University of Aberdeen Museums (UK), and Beijing Wutong Technology Co., the exhibition offers a unique fusion of ancient treasures and cutting-edge digital experiences.
The exhibition centers on 180 ancient Egyptian artifacts, complemented by 26 relics from the Nanyue King Tombs. Notably, 167 of the Egyptian pieces are being displayed in Asia for the first time, spanning themes of mythology, royalty, and daily life, providing visitors with a multidimensional view of ancient Egyptian society. To protect these precious objects, the exhibition will be presented in phases: the first phase features 167 items, with the remaining 13 items added from May 2026 onward.
Innovative digital technology transforms the museum into an interactive, immersive space. Inspired by the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet, a mysterious digital black cat guides visitors through the exhibition, creating a gamified and narrative-driven experience. Digital talismans such as the Scarab and Eye of Horus can be "collected" as part of the journey.
The VR installation "Pyramid Mirage" allows visitors to explore a 1:1 digital reconstruction of the Giza plateau, while AI reconstruction, in-case projection, and glasses-free 3D animations bring Egyptian reliefs and daily life scenes vividly to life. This immersive approach revives artifacts that have lain dormant for millennia, offering an unprecedented interactive experience.
Visitors can also explore nearly 400 themed cultural products, including playful "Magic Egyptian Cats", intricately crafted scarab bookmarks, collectible blind-box sets, and 40 exquisite seals that turn every visit into a treasure-hunting adventure, making millennia-old Egyptian civilization tangible and personal.
Experience Tang-Style Lantern Festival in downtown Guangzhou
The 4th Grandview Planet Tang-Style Lantern Festival officially opened at Grandview Mall in Guangzhou, Guangdong, on February 6, 2026. This year's festival, themed "Lingnan Grand Temple Fair", blends the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty with the rich cultural heritage of the Lingnan region, offering visitors an immersive New Year experience.
Running until mid-March, the festival features four major lantern displays, five Tang-style temple fairs, over 100 daily performances, and a host of interactive activities. Guests are welcomed by the spectacular "Xuanzang Returns to Tang" light-and-shadow narrative, guiding them through a story of the Tang Dynasty, while the northwest entrance corridor "Glorious Lanterns" sets a festive tone with its sweeping lantern array.
Inside, the 10-meter-tall "Clouds Rise and Dreams Chase" Heavenly Horse Lantern stands amid a romantic peach blossom forest, and the fourth-floor "Splendid Tang Palace" recreates the grandeur of the Daming Palace, blending Qinglong Temple, Mogao Caves, and Tang palace architecture.
The five temple fairs each offer unique experiences:
Ocean Temple Fair at Grandview Aquarium—enjoy global cuisine, Tang-style games, and special performances with one ticket.
Thousand Lantern Garden Party—savor regional snacks, explore crafts, and purchase Tang-inspired souvenirs.
Year of the Horse Valley Market—features collectibles and special-edition items.
Guangfu Elegant Charm Collection—take home Tang-inspired fans, sachets, and more.
Immortal Palace Market—combines traditional elements with digital interactivity, including thrilling bull performances.
Over 100 performances daily—from acrobatics and ancient music to rock concerts and the grand Tang-style parade—keep the festive atmosphere alive.
Grandview Mall also unveils the Grandview Museum of Chinese Civilization, with seven immersive spaces, over 50 interactive exhibits, more than 100 rare artifacts, and nine architectural monuments. The festival introduces the "Tang Dynasty Flying Coins" system, allowing visitors to earn virtual currency through games and activities to redeem for merchandise, discounts, or free experiences.
Tiered discounts with UnionPay and partner brands offer savings of up to RMB 250 on purchases over RMB 3,000.
First "Greater Bay Chicken" stage play to premiere at Guangzhou Opera House
The first-ever "Greater Bay Chicken"-themed acrobatic fairytale play, "Sprouting Miracle", successfully completed its debut trial performance at the Guangzhou Drama Art Center's No. 13 Theatre. The play will officially open at the Guangzhou Opera House on February 20-21, 2026 (the 4th and 5th days of Chinese New Year).
Centered around the iconic "Greater Bay Chicken," nickname of the mascots of China's 15th National Games, "Sprouting Miracle" tells the enchanting story of two young heroes who, after the fairy tale world falls into silence, rekindle hope and bring back color through their pure belief and unity.
The performance boasts a talented creative and performance team, led by Wu Zhengdan, Vice President of the China Acrobats Association and Senior Actor at the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe, serving as Artistic Director. The play is also directed by the Troupe's rising star, Gan Tao, a distinguished young artist.
"Sprouting Miracle" merges acrobatic artistry with compelling storytelling, offering audiences a distinctive artistic experience that inspires warmth and hope.
Since its founding in 1959, the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe has been recognized as a key national cultural export enterprise for five consecutive terms. The Troupe has created several award-winning performances, receiving accolades at world-class and national levels, and has been invited to tour both domestically and internationally.
Author | Liu Lingzhi
Photo | Nanyue King Museum, Grandview Group, Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe
