With the May Day holiday just around the corner, cities across Guangdong are hosting a variety of events, including garden trails, night carnivals, and family-friendly festivals. Here are a few suggestions for short breaks over the holiday.
Yuyin Shanfang, Guangzhou (余荫山房)
This classical Lingnan garden is hosting "Intangible Cultural Heritage Week" during the holiday. Visitors can collect a free Shanfang Craft Guide (while stocks last) and follow a trail around the garden, solving clues and spotting details in the carvings, windows and architecture. They can then redeem small prizes upon completion.
(Photo: Yuyin Shanfang)
There are pop-up performances throughout the pavilions and courtyards, including Cantonese opera, traditional dance, and interactions with playful characters. There is also a small market selling handicrafts, tea and light snacks.
(Photo: Yuyin Shanfang)
Ticket: 14 yuan (May 1-5)
Address: North Street, Nancun Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区南村镇北大街)
More in Guangzhou:
Guangzhou Orchid Garden (兰圃): Art exhibition
Canton Tower (广州塔): "Greater Bay Chicken" immersive theatre (April 24-May 5)
Shawan Ancient Town (沙湾古镇): Traditional food-making and Cantonese music (May 1-5)
Baomo Garden (宝墨园): Lotus-themed activities
Guangming Farm Grandview Garden, Shenzhen (光明农场大观园)
The garden's Rabbit Carnival offers activities focusing on pet care and interactive games. Attractions such as bubble parades, themed relaxation areas and hands-on workshops promote awareness of humane animal treatment and responsible pet ownership. With its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, it is an ideal place for a short getaway.
(Photo: Guangming Farm Grandview Garden)
Ticket: 80 yuan
Address: No.88 Bishui Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen (深圳市光明区碧水路88号)
More in Shenzhen:
Splendid China Folk Village (锦绣中华民俗文化村): Chinese-style Cultural Festival (April 4-June 1)
Window of the World (世界之窗): Parades & music events
One Avenue (卓悦中心): Coffee Week (April 29-May 5)
Bijia Mountain Sports Park (笔架山体育公园): Burger Festival (May 1-5)
New Yuanming Palace, Zhuhai (圆明新园)
This park offers distinct experiences during the day and at night. During the day, visitors can browse market stalls, try traditional games or watch a royal-themed parade featuring costumed performers. At night, the grounds are illuminated by the lantern displays, and there are live shows and traditional performances, such as molten iron fireworks. The atmosphere becomes more theatrical after dark, with plenty of scenes that are perfect for photos.
(Photo: New Yuanming Palace)
Tickets: Free during the day (9:00-17:30, May 1-5); 58 yuan at night (19:00-22:00, May 1-4)
Address: Lanpu Road, Jiuzhou Avenue, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai (珠海市香洲区九州大道兰埔路)
More in Zhuhai:
Tangjia Ancient Town (唐家古镇): Themed market and food events
Changqin Island (长琴岛): Kite shows and seaside activities
Chikan International Tourism Resort, Jiangmen (赤坎·广东华侨国际旅游度假区)
With the theme of "Seeing the World's Chikan", the resort hosts over 100 performances a day. Visitors can explore a recreated "Chikan Chinatown," where street corners come alive with flash mob performances, including French-style acrobatics. After dark, the streets are filled with large-scale performances featuring molten iron fireworks, fire-pot displays and high-altitude acrobatics.
(Photo: Chikan International Tourism Resort)
Ticket: 99 yuan
Address: No.18 Didong Road, Chikan Town, Kaiping, Jiangmen (江门市开平市赤坎镇堤东路18号)
More in Jiangmen:
Chuandao Tourism Resort (川岛旅游度假区): Beach concerts, drone shows, and fireworks (May 1-4)
Naqin Peninsula Geological Ocean Park (那琴半岛地质海洋公园): Seaside fireworks (May 1-4)
Gulao Water Town (古劳水乡): Electronic music festival (May 1-5)
Chenpi Village (新会陈皮村): Citrus peel craft workshops and tea-making experiences
Danxia Mountain Scenic Area, Shaoguan (丹霞山景区)
Danxia Mountain is known for its red sandstone peaks and introduces a playful martial arts theme during the holiday. Visitors can enjoy interactive activities such as mock duels and treasure hunts, as well as traditional performances like face-changing and bamboo drifting. Waterfront areas offer bamboo rafting and scenic walks, and the atmosphere changes in the evening. As night falls, the landscape is transformed by light shows, fish lantern parades, and staged performances.
(Photo: Danxia Mountain Scenic Area)
Ticket: 100 yuan
Address: Near National Highway 106, Renhua County, Shaoguan (韶关市仁化县106国道附近)
More in Shaoguan:
Guangdong Grand Canyon (广东大峡谷): Acrobatics, bonfires, and Yao ethnic dance performances (May 1-5)
Maozifeng Tourist Area (帽子峰旅游景区): Forest hiking and DIY nature workshops (May 2-5)
Yunmen Mountain Ecotourism Area (云门山生态文化旅游区): Rural experiences and fire shows (May 1-5)
Author | Huang Xinying
Poster | Lai Meiya
