The 2025 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday officially begins on October 1 and will last for eight days. Tired of the crowds at popular attractions? Step into these hidden villages in Guangdong for a more tranquil experience.
Langtou Village, Guangzhou (广州塱头村)
With a history of more than 700 years, Langtou Ancient Village in Huadu District, Guangzhou, preserves 388 Qing Dynasty brick buildings in traditional Lingnan style. Modern architecture and art have been integrated here, giving the village a unique appeal. In 2025, it was showcased at the Venice Biennale as a representative of Guangdong's rural charm.
During the holiday, themed concerts, a Mid-Autumn bonfire tower event, and folk craft workshops will also take place.
(Photo: Xinlangchao)
Transportation: About a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Guangzhou, or take Huadu bus No. 15 to Langtou Village Station.
WeChat account "Xinlangchao(新塱潮)."
More details: Guangdong's 700-year-old village debuts at Venice Biennale 2025
Beishan Village, Zhuhai (珠海北山村)
Beishan Village in Nanping Town, Zhuhai, has transformed from a traditional clan settlement of the Yang family into a vibrant hub where tradition meets contemporary culture. Old buildings have been converted into creative spaces, cafés, and craft shops, attracting young entrepreneurs and travelers from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
(Photo: Zhuhai Fabu)
This holiday, visitors can enjoy retro markets, jungle markets, poster exhibitions, and live jazz performances.
(Photo: Zhuhai Travel)
Transportation: About a half-hour drive from Zhuhai downtown. Or take bus T11, K8 to Nanping Station (南屏站), or 14, 34 to Beishan Station.
Dongkeng Town, Dongguan (东莞东坑镇)
In the heart of Dongguan, Dongkeng Town brings together Ding, Peng, and Huang villages, forming a modern showcase of Lingnan culture. Visitors can explore ancient ancestral halls, old opera stages, and riverside boardwalks. The town presents a rural lifestyle that is livable, workable, and touristic.
(Photo: Dongkeng Fabu)
Transportation: About a 1-hour drive from downtown Dongguan, or 1.5 hours from Shenzhen. From downtown Dongguan, take bus 502, 721, or 309 to Dongkeng Town Government Station (东坑镇政府).
More details: Free parking available.
Yakou Village, Zhongshan (中山崖口村)
Located in southeastern Zhongshan along the Lingdingyang Bay of the Pearl River Estuary, Yakou Village is surrounded by endless rice fields stretching to the horizon.
The late rice turns green in September and golden by October, with harvest season at the end of the month—making this holiday the ideal time to visit. Visitors can also walk through the fields to the seaside, sip coffee, and watch the sunset.
(Photo: Nanlang Fabu)
Transportation: About a 1.5-hour drive from Guangzhou, or 1 hour from Zhuhai. From downtown Zhongshan, take bus 87, 218, K26, or K28 to Yakou Station.
More details: Escape from cities and chill out in Zhongshan's villages
Nanji Village, Zhanjiang (湛江南极村)
Nanji Village sits at the southernmost tip of Chinese mainland, in southwestern Xuwen County, Zhanjiang. The village boasts stunning coastal scenery, where a lighthouse overlooks the meeting of the Qiongzhou Strait and the Beibu Gulf. Spend your National Day holiday here watching the waves, listening to the sea breeze, and enjoying a slow-paced seaside lifestyle.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Transportation: About a 3-hour drive from downtown Zhanjiang.
De'anli, Puning, Jieyang (揭阳普宁德安里)
De'anli in Hongyang Town, Puning, Jieyang, is the largest traditional mansion-style residential complex in Southeastern Guangdong Province. Covering 63,000 square meters with 773 houses, it stands as a classic representative of Chaoshan folk architecture. The drainage system is ingeniously designed, reflecting the wisdom of its builders.
(Photo: Guangdong Fabu)
(Photo: Jieyang Tourism Association)
Transportation: About an hour's drive from downtown Puning, Puning Railway Station, and downtown Jieyang. Or take Puning bus No. 2 to Hongyang Town Government Station (洪阳镇政府).
More details: Open free of charge daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Author | Dai Bosi
Poster | Lai Meiya
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
