May Day holiday thrills across Guangdong ③

The May Day holiday is in full swing, with cities across Guangdong rolling out a variety of events, from folk performances and night carnivals to family-friendly cultural experiences. Here are a few recommendations for a short getaway.

Confucius Cultural City, Zhanjiang (孔子文化城)

During the holiday, this cultural park is hosting a garden fair featuring traditional and interactive activities. Visitors can enjoy folk performances, including classical dances, face-changing shows, fish lantern parades and sky lantern releases. Fun games such as sunflower seed cracking contests add to the festive experience.

(Photo: Confucius Cultural City)

Ticket: 30 yuan

Address: No. 1 Xuezeng Road, Suixi County, Zhanjiang (湛江市遂溪县学增路1号)

Baiqiao Lychee Expo Park, Maoming (柏桥荔博园)

Surrounded by lychee groves, this park offers a refreshing early-summer retreat. Visitors can stroll through shaded orchards, join folk activities and watch drone shows after dark. During the holiday, costumed performers will roam the park, hosting poetry gatherings and cultural activities for visitors.

(Photo: Converged Media Center of Gaozhou)

Ticket: Free (some activities may charge extra)

Address: Baiqiao Lychee Expo Park, Gaozhou, Maoming (茂名市高州市柏桥荔博园景区)

Dajiao Bay & Maritime Silk Road Tourism Area, Yangjiang (大角湾海上丝路旅游区)

This coastal attraction features mermaid shows and robotic dog performances. Live sunset performances, flash mobs and evening fireworks will light up the shoreline, with a range of amusement facilities available for visitors to explore.

(Photo: Dajiao Bay & Maritime Road Tourism Area)

Ticket: From 39 yuan (some attractions require additional fees)

Address: Zhapo Town, Hailing Island, Yangjiang (阳江市海陵岛闸坡镇)

Xiangwo Mountain Ecological Park, Yunfu (象窝山生态园)

This park blends tea culture with live performances. By day, visitors can enjoy tea ceremonies, acrobatic tea-pouring shows, dance performances inspired by local tea traditions, cultural parades, interactive games and market stalls. As night falls, visitors can watch a large outdoor stage show featuring local customs and folk tales, and unwind around bonfires.

(Photo: Xiangwo Mountain Ecological Park)

Ticket: From 40 yuan

Address: Taiping Town, Xinxing County, Yunfu (云浮市新兴县太平镇)

Nangang Yao Village, Qingyuan (南岗千年瑶寨)

This ancient Yao village is hosting a seasonal farming festival from May 2 to 4. The programme includes traditional rituals, terrace-field performances and hands-on farming experiences. Visitors can also watch ethnic song and dance shows and join evening bonfire parties, gaining a close look at authentic Yao culture.

(Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province)

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

Ticket: From 108 yuan

Address: Nangang Village, Sanpai Town, Liannan Yao Autonomous County, Qingyuan (清远市连南瑶族自治县三排镇南岗村)

Wanlü Lake Scenic Area, Heyuan (万绿湖风景区)

This vast freshwater lake presents interactive art displays and themed parades during the holiday. Visitors can take part in culture-themed activities, take photos with creative installations, or book a helicopter tour for panoramic views of the lake.

(Photo: Wanlü Lake Scenic Area)

Ticket: 175 yuan

Address: No. 17 Gangzhong Road, Xingang Town, Dongyuan County, Heyuan (河源市东源县新港镇港中路17号)

Hakka World Tourist Resort, Meizhou (梅州客天下旅游度假区)

This scenic spot showcases Hakka culture through lantern displays, market fairs and intangible cultural heritage performances. Visitors can sample local snacks at food stalls, watch folk shows including face-changing and acrobatics, and try hands-on activities such as Hakka cooking. At night, fire shows and interactive performances bring the day to a festive close.