As China's five-day May Day holiday (May 1-5) approaches, the city of Zhongshan in Guangdong Province is unveiling a packed lineup of over 200 cultural, culinary, and sports events to attract visitors from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and beyond.
Four Major Highlights of Zhongshan's May Day Celebrations
1. Non-Stop Cultural Performances
From April 30 to May 5, the Golden Land Music Festival will resonate across Zhongshan's iconic venues, including the Zhongshan Museum, Xiangshan Ancient City Theater, and Yongshe Square in Sanxiang Town. A standout event is the 2025 Guangdong Provincial "Seasons Village Stage" on May 1, featuring a fusion of online and offline performances—from Bay Area art troupes to intangible cultural heritage shows. Nearby, the Zhongshan Hot Spring Beer & BBQ Festival and seafood discount week will add a culinary flair to the festivities.
The Zhongshan Cultural Arts Center will host the original ethnic dance drama Yingge and the children's play Hi, Little Stone Lion, while Nanlang Street's Shimen Flower Art Season (starting May 1) promises art salons, exhibitions, and concerts in a picturesque village setting.
2. Intangible Cultural Heritage Extravaganza
Nearly 50 intangible cultural heritage events will enliven streets and squares. The Shaxi Intangible Heritage Tourism Week expands into a six-day carnival, blending a "Village BA" basketball tournament, a gourmet fair, and a parade.
Other highlights include:
The Drunken Dragon Dance Parade in Changzhou Village (May 5 evening), to be followed by a feast for elders.
Folk fairs in Caobian Village (Nan District) and Sanxiang Town showcase lion dances, almond cookies, and Xiaolan embroidery.
Shenwan Pineapple Intangible Cultural Heritage Market and Nanlang Intangible Heritage Fairs.
3. Shopping and Dining Bonanzas
The Qijiang River Waterfront Carnival will transform the riverbanks into a lively hub with music festivals, dragon boat races, street dance competitions, and a laser-water show. Meanwhile, Tanzhou Town's Warehouse Sale Festival offers factory-direct deals and RV exhibitions.
Over 30 promotional campaigns—including the Zhongshan Rosewood Furniture Expo and discount vouchers—aim to stimulate spending.
4. Scenic Attractions and Sports Thrills
Cultural Sites:
Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence will unveil two new exhibits, featuring rare artifacts.
Zhongshan Movie & TV City will stage non-legacy iron-forging shows and a special edition of the play Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Zhan Garden merges tradition and trendiness with a Guofeng Anime Carnival, offering hanfu (Han-style clothing) parades by day and immersive light shows by night.
Sports:
More than 30 "Welcome 15th National Games" events will energize the city, including:
Dragon boat races on the Qijiang River and a five-player dragon boat invitational in Xiaolan Town.
Youth competitions in chess, lion dance, and street dance.
Water sports like paddleboarding in the Nanqu Sub-district and hiking in Wugui Mountain.
New Tours and Convenient Transit
Zhongshan has launched seven themed routes (e.g., "Heritage Trails," "Family Fun") and three dedicated bus lines:
Camphor Park Eco-Tour Line: Connects downtown to Wugui Mountain's rural scenery.
Sun Yat-sen's Hometown Line: Provides direct access to the iconic Sun Yat-sen Tourist Zone.
Leisure Sightseeing Line: Cruises through historic streets like Sunwen West Road.
Travel Tips
Local authorities will strengthen market supervision during the holiday. Visitors are advised to:
Plan routes and book accommodations early.
Prioritize safety and follow public regulations.
Respect local customs and practice eco-friendly tourism.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Zhongshan Fabu
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
