On April 18, in the fourth round of the Guangdong BA regular season, the Heyuan team defeated the Shanwei team at home, achieving their third consecutive league win. During the on-site lucky draw, a fan surnamed Rao from Lianping Zhongxin Town won the grand prize of one ton of Wanlv Lake water. Leveraging the high-quality ecological resources of Wanlv Lake and the development of the “Lake+” green zone around it, Heyuan is capitalizing on the Guangdong BA event to combine sports, water resources, culture, tourism, and industry, aiming to develop water ecology, water technology, and water culture, and to build a high-quality drinking water supply hub for the Greater Bay Area.

Fine Lake Water Welcomes Guests

“What is Heyuan’s best asset? The water of Wanlv Lake, of course!” The ecological water is a natural gift that locals take pride in. When basketball meets Heyuan, it creates a scene of mountain-sea interaction at the game, where the Heyuan team gives fresh Wanlv Lake fish to the Shanwei team, and the Shanwei team reciprocates with sea bass. At the agricultural product fair outside the venue, specialties nurtured by Wanlv Lake’s living water were showcased: Heyuan rice noodles made with pure lake water, rich in flavor; Hakka yellow wine brewed with lake water, mellow and long-lasting; and Wuzhimaotao herbs irrigated with lake water, fragrant. “Drinking a sip of Wanlv Lake water means you’ve truly been to Heyuan,” said a fan surnamed Wang from Shantou, who arrived a day early to experience the lake’s charm while watching the game.

The city’s enthusiasm, sparked by basketball, has spread throughout Heyuan’s streets. Since the start of Guangdong BA, the landmark restaurant “Yuanfen Piaoxiang” has been bustling. The restaurant owner, Chen Daoli, a basketball fan himself, hung a signed poster of the Heyuan men’s basketball team in a prominent spot. “Many diners come to take photos with the poster,” Chen said, noting that since late March, especially on weekends and game days, the restaurant is always full, with many out-of-town customers.

From “Watching a Game” to “Spending a Weekend”

Basketball events attract visitors, while Heyuan’s landscapes keep them. To maximize the event’s spillover effects, Heyuan introduced a “One Ticket to Explore Heyuan” benefit: fans with tickets from any Guangdong BA venue can enjoy 20% off at Wanlv Lake scenic area and the Dinosaur Museum, as well as exclusive discounts at many local hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants. A fan surnamed Li from Guangzhou said he and his friends drove to Heyuan on Saturday, visiting the Dinosaur Museum during the day, watching the game at night, touring Wanlv Lake on Sunday, and buying local souvenirs. “The attractions have always been there, and I could visit anytime, but I never did. With the game, it’s different—this experience is much more interesting than just sightseeing.”

From stadiums to scenic spots, from games to landscapes, Guangdong BA has created new tourism consumption scenarios for Heyuan. It breaks down barriers between sports, culture, and tourism, making sports events a link connecting Heyuan’s landscapes, history, and folk customs, achieving the effect of “one-day event, overnight spending.” Driven by Guangdong BA, Heyuan received 194,200 visitors during the Qingming Festival holiday, a 5.55% increase year-on-year, with tourism revenue reaching 102 million yuan, up 8.56%.

City League Boosts Sports Industry

For Heyuan, the Guangdong BA league not only brings short-term crowds and consumption but also catalyzes outdoor sports and the sports industry. Riding on the event’s momentum, the Guangdong “100 Counties, 1000 Towns, 10,000 Villages” basketball tournament’s Heyuan city-level matches are in full swing; the 2026 Heyuan International Road Cycling Race around Wanlv Lake has started, with top cyclists from 21 countries competing; and a national sports ball equipment industry innovation and development conference was held in Heyuan, promoting the agglomeration of innovative sports industry elements and helping Heyuan accelerate the development of sports goods and toy industry belts.

The popularity of Guangdong BA has also highlighted the huge potential of Heyuan’s sports industry. “Dingnan County borders Heyuan’s Heping County, and many of my friends in Guangdong have noticed the Guangdong BA and seen related short videos,” said Li Yachun, director of the Dingnan County Football Industry Chain Recruitment Center from Jiangxi Province, after visiting during the 2026 sports ball equipment conference. He noted that Heyuan, by leveraging

Wanlv Lake

Wanlv Lake, located in Heyuan, Guangdong Province, China, is the largest artificial lake in southern China, created in the 1950s to support hydroelectric power generation. Its name, meaning “Ten Thousand Greens Lake,” reflects the lush, emerald-green waters surrounded by dense forests and 360 distinct islets. Today, it serves as a popular eco-tourism destination and a vital water source for the region, blending natural beauty with mid-20th-century engineering history.

Dinosaur Museum

The Dinosaur Museum is a specialized institution dedicated to the display and study of dinosaur fossils, often featuring life-sized skeletal reconstructions and interactive exhibits. Many such museums, like the renowned ones in North America and China, house collections discovered from major fossil beds, offering insights into the prehistoric world. Their history often stems from 19th-century paleontological discoveries, evolving from private collections into public educational centers that continue to reveal new findings about extinct life.

Heyuan

Heyuan is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province, China, known for its picturesque landscapes along the Dongjiang River. Historically, it was established as a county during the Southern Qi Dynasty (479–502 AD) and later developed into a key cultural and economic hub. Today, it is famous for its “Thousand-Island Lake” (Wanlv Lake) and as a center for Hakka culture, with well-preserved traditional roundhouses and vibrant local traditions.

Guangdong BA

Guangdong BA, short for Guangdong Broadcasting Authority, is a key media regulatory and broadcasting institution in southern China’s Guangdong Province. Established in the early 2000s as part of China’s media restructuring, it oversees radio, television, and digital content to ensure alignment with national policies and cultural standards. The authority plays a significant role in promoting Cantonese-language media and preserving local cultural heritage within the broader Chinese media landscape.

Lianping Zhongxin Town

Lianping Zhongxin Town is a scenic area in Guangdong Province, China, known for its beautiful natural landscapes and cultural heritage. Historically, it has been a hub for local trade and community life, with its development shaped by the region’s agricultural and economic activities over centuries. Today, it attracts visitors seeking to explore traditional Chinese rural culture and the peaceful surroundings of southern China.

Greater Bay Area

The Greater Bay Area is a dynamic economic and cultural region in southern China, encompassing cities like Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Its history is rooted in the Pearl River Delta’s long-standing role as a trade hub, but the modern concept was formalized in 2017 as a national strategy to integrate these cities into a world-class innovation and technology center. This initiative aims to leverage the area’s combined strengths in finance, manufacturing, and infrastructure to drive global competitiveness.

Yuanfen Piaoxiang

Yuanfen Piaoxiang, which translates to “Fate Fragrance,” is a scenic area in China known for its natural beauty and cultural significance, often associated with the concept of fate and harmony in Chinese philosophy. The site features lush landscapes, traditional architecture, and is a popular destination for those seeking tranquility and reflection. Its history is tied to local folklore and the cultivation of tea and flowers, symbolizing the delicate connections between people and nature.

Dingnan County

Dingnan County is a county in the southern part of Jiangxi Province, China, known for its rich Hakka culture and historical significance. Established during the Ming Dynasty, the area features well-preserved ancient Hakka walled villages and traditional architecture. The county also played a role in the Chinese Civil War, with several revolutionary sites commemorating the Communist Party’s activities in the region.