With the upcoming 8-day holiday combining the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in 2025, Guangzhou presents itself as an ideal destination for travelers. As the host city of China's 15th National Games, Guangzhou seamlessly blends urban energy with natural beauty and rich cultural experiences.
National Games Host City
Guangzhou is embracing its role as the "City of Sports" with various activities and facilities tied to the National Games. The Guangzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Center offers fascinating insights into the city's development, including its history of hosting major sporting events like the 1987 and 2001 National Games. The exhibition showcases how Guangzhou has transformed while preserving its heritage.
For family fun, Guangzhou Ocean Park combines marine life with sports themes, offering special holiday programs like "Marine Animal Sports Games" and mermaid gymnastics performances. Meanwhile, Guangzhou Chimelong Resort, an award-winning comprehensive theme park, provides world-class entertainment with its multiple parks and spectacular circus shows.
Natural Escapes
Just north of the urban center, Jiulong Lake in Huadu District offers over 4,117 acres of lake and mountain scenery. With nearly 100 hiking trails and activities like paddleboarding and kayaking, it's known as Guangzhou's "hiking paradise." The area has seen remarkable growth in visitors, with tourism numbers increasing by 180% in the first eight months of 2025.
Liuxi River National Forest Park, one of China's first national forest parks, features beautiful islands and dense forests. During the holiday, the park will host special events, including an 18-kilometer hiking activity on October 26th as part of its Sports Culture Tourism Festival.
Cultural Experiences
For traditional Cantonese culture, Zhengguo Old Street in Zengcheng District preserves late Qing dynasty architecture while offering authentic local cuisine. As one of Guangzhou's five major food streets, it attracted over two million visitors last year.
The area also features charming countryside accommodations that combine quality design with local cultural elements. These establishments work with nearby attractions like Baishuizhai (白水寨) to create complete rural getaway experiences.
Whether you're interested in urban excitement, natural beauty, or cultural discoveries, Guangzhou offers diverse experiences during the extended holiday period.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
