Let’s Celebrate the Spring Festival in Guangdong in 2017 – Wonderful Journey in Zhaoqing. [Photo by Li Ting]
On January 14, Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and People’s Government of Zhaoqing Municipality will jointly hold a parade of floats and folk customs as well as walkathon entitled “Let’s Celebrate the Spring Festival in Guangdong in 2017 – Wonderful Journey in Zhaoqing”.
[Photo by Li Ting]
During the Spring Festival, all parts of Guangdong province will organize a wide range of thematic activities, hospitably inviting visitors to spend this great holiday in Guangdong.
[Photo by Li Ting]
During the Spring Festival celebrations in Zhaoqing from Jan. 13 to 14, you don’t want to miss these 10 activities which will bring you a wonderful journey in the city.
1. People sharing the fun with local leaders
Guangdong Tourism Administration will invite the heads of Guizhou and Guangxi Tourism Administrations (i.e. Tourism Development Committee) to partake in and witness the whole event, and work together to create Guangdong’s tourism products and routes. Meanwhile, heads of Guangdong Tourism Administration and Zhaoqing will join the participants in 10 km walkathon, and make Zhaoqing-style rice dumplings with the people.
2. Parade of floats and folk customs
On the day Jan. 14th of launching ceremony, a 1000-meter-long parade will tour the whole city and celebrate Lunar New Year together with the citizens. The parade will begin with 7 floats, and then showcase traditional folk customs, such as Yao people’s long drums and colorful umbrellas from Guilin of Guangxi, Foshan festive lanterns, Zhongshan dragon dance, Wuchuan Piaose (a parade of children masquerading opera figures in the air), Heyuan boat lamp dance, Yao people’s Shuagetang long drum dance from Qingyuan, and Zhaoqing mountain lion dance.
The parade takes the following route: Jiangbin Road (before Lord Bao’s Memorial) — Jiangbin Road — Xijiang Road — Piyun Tower — Chaotian Gate — Memorial Arch — Star Lake Greenway — Water Platform — Baohuan Avenue — East Gate Plaza
3. Scenery and profile of all walks of life
Zhaoqing is famous for the breathtakingly beautiful Seven Star Crags and green gem Mount Dinghu. You can find representatives of all walks of life in Zhaoqing in the parade teams who show the charm and development of this city.
4. Walkathon for best wishes
It is alleged that around 10,000 people applied for the 10 km walkathon. The participants can collect three stamps on the walkathon brochure at the starting point, Memorial Arch Plaza and East Gate Plaza, respectively. With these three stamps, each participant will be awarded with a lucky bag at the destination, namely East Gate Plaza. The lucky bag contains rice dumpling, beverage, souvenir, one ticket of Seven Star Crags, and one ticket of Mount Dinghu. The tickets are available on Jan. 14 and 15.
Sign in: 13:30 pm -14:15 pm, Jan. 14, 2017
Event duration: 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Jan. 14, 2017
Rally point: Jiangbin Road across Lord Bao’s Memorial (包公文化园对出的江滨堤大道)
How to get there: Take high-speed rail, intercity rail or coach to Zhaoqing, then transfer to local bus No. 6, 20 or Tourism Line 1, and get off at the temporary terminal bus station.
5. Line-up of famous brands and special activities
From Jan. 13 to 15, 2017, Yanqian Village and East Gate Plaza will welcome the guests with a line-up of quality products and special activities, such as Guangdong tourism products, Zhaoqing famous brands and tea ceremony.
6. Winning gift during parade and walkathon
During the parade and walkathon, you can visit three “Fun Zones” located respectively around Piyun Tower (披云楼), Memorial Arch Plaza (牌坊广场), and Fengma Ballad in Qianqian Village (岩前村风马民谣). If you win three stickers by participating in certain activities there, you will be awarded with a souvenir medal at the East Gate Plaza.
7. Annual fete and Dragon Mother Feast
Yanqian Village will hold the Dragon Mother Feast with around 1,000 participants. There are famous dishes like poon choi (Chinese casserole) and Zhaoqing-style rice dumpling. You will receive a gift from God of Money, enjoy firework, and watch the annual worship ceremony. In addition, do not forget to pray with the lotus lamp from Liuzu Temple for all the best in the New Year!
8. Presentation of motor homes, yachts and motorboats
An exhibit area is set up in front of the Piyun Tower for presentation of motor homes, yachts and motorboats. You will have a chance to check out such luxurious facilities!
9. Line dance at the plaza
Nearly 1,000 line dance amateurs from Zhaoqing will perform at the Memorial Arch Plaza. Apart from the wonderful performances, visitors can also enjoy coffee offered by Starbuck for charitable purpose.
10. Gifts and red packets
During the celebrations, you can follow the WeChat Account of Zhaoqing Municipal Tourism Bureau (肇庆市旅游局) and win entrance tickets, gifts, WeChat red packets and so on which is worth about RMB 100,000.
(By Michelle & Monica)
