Experience Guangdong's festive cheer this Chinese New Year

As Chinese New Year approaches, festive cheer is building across Guangdong. During the holiday period from February 15 to 23, cities across the province are rolling out immersive cultural and tourism events. From lion dances and lantern seas to intangible cultural heritage showcases, Guangdong offers many ways to celebrate the New Year up close.

Lingnan Impression Garden, Guangzhou (岭南印象园)

During the holiday, visitors to Lingnan Impression Garden can watch lion and dragon parades, or take part in themselves by dotting the eyes of a lion head and joining the procession to receive festive blessings. From February 20 to 22, the "Five Fortune Gods", representing happiness, prosperity, longevity, joy and wealth, will appear in the park, inviting visitors to interact, play traditional games and exchange festive wishes.

(Photo: Lingnan Impression Garden)

After nightfall, tens of thousands of lanterns light up the streets as Hakka fish lanterns and roaming dragon lanterns move through the lanes. Molten iron fireworks and other fireworks shows create striking nighttime scenes, while traditional Cantonese snacks and handicraft stalls round out the festive experience.

(Photo: Lingnan Impression Garden)

Ticket: 48 yuan

Opening hours:

Daytime: 9:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00)

Nighttime: 17:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)

Address: No. 1 Outer Ring Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区外环西路1号岭南印象园)

Splendid China Folk Village, Shenzhen (锦绣中华民俗村)

The area offers an immersive Chinese New Year celebration rooted in ethnic traditions. Visitors can enjoy Dong grand songs, Tibetan circle dances and Wa wooden drum performances, alongside hands-on folk activities. From February 15 to March 3, performances such as Yingge dance, fish lantern dance, acrobatics, face-changing and Nuo dance take turns across the park, with playful contrasts such as robot Wing Chun and robotic lion dances.

(Photo: Splendid China Folk Village)

Visitors can explore themed zones inspired by Peking Opera and the Tang and Song dynasties, or enjoy hands-on experiences such as traditional print rubbing and a Song-style tea ceremony at the heritage bazaar. After dark, over 40 large-scale lantern installations light up the park, creating a dazzling sea of lights.

(Photo: Splendid China Folk Village)

Ticket: 220 yuan (full-day); 120 yuan (night session)

Opening hours: 9:30–22:30 (night session from 17:30; last entry 21:30)

Address: No. 9003, Shennan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen (深圳市南山区深南大道9003号)

Chikan Town Resort, Jiangmen (赤坎华侨古镇)

During the holiday, Chikan Town Resort will be dressed in festive red, with flower boards, lanterns, spring couplets, fish lanterns and bamboo floral decorations adorning historic arcades. In the evening, a 15-meter-tall "fortune tree," accompanied by a flying "God of Wealth" and fireworks, sends blessings across the scenic spot.

(Photo: Chikan Town Resort)

Visitors may encounter historical and festive characters such as Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, along with the Fortune Gods. A 30-member "God of Wealth" troupe, led by two futuristic mecha-style characters, distributes sweets and small gifts. Fireworks, molten iron performances, lion dances, Yingge dance, acrobatics, ballet, magic shows and interactive street performances create a lively and festive atmosphere throughout the day.

(Photo: Chikan Town Resort)

Ticket: 150 yuan

Opening hours: 10:00–22:00

Address: No. 18, Didong Road, Chikan Town, Kaiping County-level City, Jiangmen (江门市开平市赤坎镇堤东路18号)

Jieyang Ancient City (揭阳古城)

During Chinese New Year, landmarks across Jieyang Ancient City are refreshed with festive programming, offering experiences from daytime sightseeing to nighttime cultural events. On February 17 (the first day of Chinese New Year), a ceremonial lion dance will take place in front of Jinxian Gate, followed by a gala at Jieyang Tower Square.

(Photo: Jieyang Daily)

From February 17 to 20, a series of intangible cultural heritage performances will unfold, featuring the iconic Yingge dance, dragon and lion dances, guqin performances, puppet shows, Chaozhou opera, hanfu fashion displays and lantern riddle gatherings. From street parades to evening concerts, the program highlights the distinctive charm of Chaoshan culture.

(Photo: Jieyang Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)

Ticket: Free

Opening hours: All day

Address: Wangjiang North Road, Rongcheng District, Jieyang (揭阳市榕城区望江北路)

Confucius Cultural City, Zhanjiang (遂溪孔子文化城)

During the Chinese New Year holiday, Confucius Cultural City will host a festive garden fair blending tradition and play. Highlights include Ansai waist drum performances, Suixi lion dances, and ancient market-style games such as archery and dice throwing, with fortune-themed interactions throughout the area.

(Photo: Confucius Cultural City)

A specially designed artificial snow area adds seasonal fun for families, making the celebration both cultural and playful. At night, visitors can enjoy powerful Nuo dance performances, drone light shows, firework-propelled puppetry, water-based molten iron displays and fireworks.