This May Day holiday (May 1-5), Guangzhou blends international sophistication with grassroots charm, offering visitors a taste of its unique energy. From tech-savvy shoppers to cultural deep dives, here's how to join the action.
Why Guangzhou?
Foreign traders and tourists are flocking here, lured by:
144-hour visa-free transit: Available to travelers from 54 countries with onward tickets.
Instant tax refunds: Spend just 200 yuan ($28) to claim cash refunds at malls like TaiKoo Hui.
Payment ease: Link foreign bank cards to Weixin (WeChat) for seamless "scan-and-go" transit and shopping.
Canton Fair perks: Show your exhibitor pass for discounts on river cruises, metro cards, and dining.
Fascinating Shopping and Events
1. Tax-Free Shopping
At Guangzhou's upscale TaiKoo Hui mall, international shoppers can now claim tax refunds within minutes of purchase, no paperwork required. Visitors simply scan a QR code at checkout, upload their passport and flight details via WeChat, and watch refunds hit their accounts in as little as five minutes.
Ten pilot stores of the "buy now, refund now" service, including GrandBuy and Friendship, are also gradually launching the "online self-service" tax refund model to provide more tax refund options for overseas travelers.
2. Puppy Cafés & Sky Gardens
At Parc Central, sip coffee with your dog at the "Pups & Cups" pop-up (April 26 – May 5), then unwind at the rooftop Inspiration Garden.
3. Capybara Mania and Canton Fair limited offers
Guangzhou Link REIT shopping mall hosts giant plush capybaras, pet markets, and free jellyfish adoptions (until May 6).
Canton Fair attendees can unlock exclusive perks at Guangzhou's Link Plaza in Tianhe District by simply showing their exhibitor passes and signing up for a mall membership. The "Fair Goer Privilege Pack" includes: ride-hailing credits worth 86 yuan ($12) for RuYue (a local taxi app), a plush toy celebrating the Year of the Snake, discount vouchers for Hakka cuisine (a regional specialty), and limited-edition poker sets with qualifying purchases.
4. Coffee Culture Redefined
Yuehai Plaza's "Back to Black" festival (May 1-3) gathers brews from six countries, paired with retro bike rallies and swing dancing.
Have more fun during the May Day holiday:
Guangzhou optimizes tax refund polices and improves inbound consumption convenience
Guangzhou launches new autonomous shuttle bus line in city center
Heavy rainfall expected across Guangdong during May Day holiday
Explore architecture and landscape design in Guangzhou
Guangzhou Art Season kicks off with diverse art performances
Author | Feng Huiting
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
