During the Spring Festival holiday, the cultural and tourism markets in eastern, western, and northern Guangdong continued to heat up. The coastal scenery of the islands in western Guangdong, the ecological secrets of the mountainous regions in northern Guangdong, and the intangible cultural heritage performances in the ancient streets of Chaoshan together formed a splendid New Year tourism picture, attracting visitors from within and outside the province.

During the Spring Festival holiday, various regions closely followed the theme “Celebrate the New Year in Guangdong,” launching a series of cultural and tourism activities that combined Lingnan charm with interactivity. Scenic spots were bustling with visitors, filled with a strong festive atmosphere. Different areas deeply integrated intangible cultural heritage, folk customs, natural landscapes, and ancient streets and alleys, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the profound heritage of Lingnan culture while enjoying the magnificent scenery of mountains and seas, spending a culturally rich and joyful Year of the Horse Spring Festival in Guangdong.

Enjoying Coastal Scenery

Indulging in Romance and Leisure

At coastal attractions in Zhanjiang, visitors from across the country strolled along the beaches, feeling the warmth and comfort brought by the sunshine and sea breeze. At Zhanjiang’s Jinsha Bay, visitors in short sleeves played in the waves, while children built sandcastles and dug sand pits on the beach, with laughter echoing everywhere. As night fell, the night view of Jinsha Bay became even more enchanting, with light shows and beach music performances amplifying the festive atmosphere. Coastal mangrove forests also became popular check-in spots: attractions like the Lianjiang Gaoqiao Mangrove Reserve, Jinsha Bay Mangrove Science Education Base, and Techeng Island Mangrove Forest welcomed large numbers of tourists for sightseeing and photos…

Yangjiang’s coastal tourism got off to a “flying start”: scenic areas like Shaba Bay, Moon Bay, Haizai Lake Boardwalk, and Bei’e Ridge were crowded with visitors. The newly built, 1,300-meter-long “人”-shaped boardwalk at Haizai Lake in Shaba Town welcomed its first batch of tourists. Equipped with viewing pavilions and arched bridges along the way, visitors strolling the boardwalk could admire the mangrove landscape and experience the fishing village ambiance up close. The newly opened Bei’e Ridge mountain loop boardwalk and glass viewing platform were also bustling with people, allowing citizens and tourists to enjoy the spectacular sea views and feel a sense of physical and mental pleasure.

On Nan’ao Island in Shantou, eastern Guangdong, the 33-kilometer-long网红公路 (popular highway), the Nan’ao Island Ring Road, winds around the island like a jade belt, with many out-of-town tourists choosing to explore the island by car. Along the ring road, “trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass” are arranged in picturesque disorder, with “mountains, forests, sea, and cliffs” distributed on both sides, offering visitors a wonderful feeling of traveling between mountains and sea. During the Spring Festival holiday, visitors could also witness the lively scene of the Nan’ao Fishing Lantern Festival. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the cultural square in Nan’ao County was filled with the sounds of drums and music, as over 20 teams sang and danced with swaying fishing lanterns, recreating scenes of life on the sea, while leaping lion dances added to the auspicious festive atmosphere.

Appreciating Ecological Beauty

Experiencing the Beauty of Mountains and Waters

In northern Guangdong, the unique ecological scenery attracted visitors from all directions.

Shaoguan’s cultural and tourism scene was in full swing. Among the Danxia Mountains, the red cliffs and green waters complemented each other beautifully, with daytime and nighttime scenes offering different cultural and tourism experiences. During the day, folk interactive activities like lion dances to welcome guests and “poetry duels with Zhang Jiuling” were in full swing; as night fell, the Jinjiang River night cruise was breathtakingly beautiful, with lights, fish lanterns, and bonfire parties shining together. Additionally, New Year activities full of festive spirit, such as Lechang folk art parades and rice cake pounding experiences, also attracted visitors from various places to “check in.” The Mengzhouba Night Market in downtown Shaoguan gathered temple fairs, food, and intangible cultural heritage. Rural campsites in Wujiang and Zhenjiang became new choices for family outings, while the thousands of acres of cherry blossoms on Nanxiong’s Yunfeng Mountain drew visitors for photos.

In Qingyuan, the rich ethnic minority customs enhanced the strong festive atmosphere.

“Release the ‘oxen’ from the pen!” With an elder’s loud shout, Yao ethnic “A Gui Ge” (unmarried men) with silver bells tinkling around their

Jinsha Bay

Jinsha Bay is a scenic coastal area located on the northeastern tip of Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands. Historically, it was a strategic military site during periods of conflict, including the Cold War, due to its proximity to mainland China. Today, it is known for its tranquil beaches, clear waters, and remnants of historical fortifications that attract tourists.

Lianjiang Gaoqiao Mangrove Reserve

The Lianjiang Gaoqiao Mangrove Reserve is a protected coastal wetland area in Guangdong Province, China, known for its extensive and biodiverse mangrove forests. It was established to conserve these vital ecosystems, which have a long ecological history in the region, serving as natural barriers against storms and erosion while providing habitat for numerous species. Today, it functions as an important site for scientific research, environmental education, and eco-tourism.

Techeng Island Mangrove Forest

Techeng Island Mangrove Forest is a protected coastal wetland located in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China. It is renowned for being one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient mangrove forests in the country, with a history of natural growth and conservation spanning over a thousand years. Today, it serves as a vital ecological barrier, a biodiversity hotspot, and a popular site for eco-tourism and scientific research.

Shaba Bay

Shaba Bay is a scenic coastal inlet located on the southern coast of Kenya, near the town of Shimoni. Historically, the area is known for its ancient coral caves, which were used as hiding places and holding points for enslaved people during the 19th-century East African slave trade. Today, it is a gateway to the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and dolphin populations.

Nan’ao Island

Nan’ao Island is a scenic island county located in Guangdong Province, China, historically known as a strategic maritime defense point and a key node along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. It is famous for its coastal landscapes, Qing’ao Bay, and well-preserved historical sites, including the Southern Australian General Garrison Office from the Ming Dynasty. Today, it serves as a popular tourist destination and a significant base for cross-strait trade and cultural exchange with Taiwan.

Danxia Mountains

The Danxia Mountains in China’s Guangdong Province are a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for their striking reddish sandstone formations, shaped by millions of years of geological uplift and erosion. This unique “Danxia landform” is named after Mount Danxia, where it was first studied, and features dramatic cliffs, pillars, and natural arches. The area also holds cultural significance, with numerous temples and inscriptions left by visitors throughout history.

Mengzhouba Night Market

Mengzhouba Night Market is a bustling evening food and cultural market located in Chongqing, China, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and local Sichuan street food. While its exact founding history is not widely documented, it has grown into a popular modern gathering spot that reflects Chongqing’s dynamic street food culture and lively nightlife. Visitors flock there to enjoy spicy local delicacies like hot pot skewers and grilled dishes in a lively, open-air setting.

Yunfeng Mountain

Yunfeng Mountain, located in Guangdong Province, China, is a renowned Taoist sacred site with a history of religious activity dating back over 1,600 years. It is famous for its stunning natural karst landscape, ancient temples like the Yunfeng Temple built during the Tang Dynasty, and its iconic “Heavenly Ladder” cliff pathway. The site harmoniously blends profound cultural heritage with dramatic geological formations, making it a significant destination for both pilgrims and tourists.