The 2006 Guangdong Tourism and Culture Festival will open on November 24 at the Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center. During the festival, organizers will present a float parades. For the first time ever, float parades will be presented at night. Another highlight of the festival will be the cruise of festooned boats on the Pearl River from November 23 to 29.

From November 25 to 28, when the floats are not paraded in the street, they will be displayed at the Yitai Square for the public. Admissions will be free.

On November 23, a grand ceremony will be held at the wharf of the north gate square of Sun Yet-sen University to mark the commencement of the float parades. From 7 pm every day from November 24 to 26, float parades will come alive along the thoroughfare between Bai'e Pond and Guangzhou Bridge. During the daytime, the floats will be parked at Zhongda Wharf on the bank of the Pearl River (across Ersha Islet), where local residents and visitors will be able to feast their eyes on the intricate float creations.

The float parades will take place along the following route:

On the evening of November 24, the floats will take part in the opening ceremony at the stadium. After circling the stadium, the floats will assemble at 9 pm at the western entrance of the Sports Center, and then proceed along the following route: Sports Center - West Tiyu Road - North Tianhe Road - East Tianhe Road - Tianhe Road - Sports Central Overpass - Dongfeng Road - North Jiefang Road - Yitai Square.

On November 25 and 26 (Saturday and Sunday), the floats will roll out at 10:30 am and 8 pm and travel along the following route: Yitai Square - North Jiefang Road - Huangshi Road (eastbound) - Tianhe Central Overpass - Dongfeng Road - North Jiefang Road - Yitai Square.

Editor: Yan