In Guangdong, visiting flower markets is a tradition, a must-do activity before or during the Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival). If you come to Guangdong to celebrate Spring Festival, you will feel like stepping into spring as the province is adorned with blooming flowers everywhere.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
What flowers are popular among locals and where to visit flower markets? Let's check it out.👇
Popular New Year flowers and their meanings
Guangdong people like to bring home flowers that symbolise luck, fortune, or other good meanings as New Year decorations. Here are some favorites and their symbolic meanings:
- Mandarin orange trees: great luck and prosperity
Mandarin oranges are associated with the Chinese word "吉" (luck), symbolizing great fortune and wealth.
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun Fabu)
- Peach blossoms: opportunities and romance
Peach blossoms are believed to bring opportunities for love. With their blessings, people hope to meet their significant other soon.
(Photo: southcn.com)
- Pussy willows: prosperity and wealth
Pussy willow in Chinese is named "silver willow" (银柳). In Cantonese, the pronunciation of willow (柳) sounds like house (楼). "Silver and house" conveys the meaning of thriving financial fortune.
(Photo: CCTV)
- Daffodils: elegance and fragrance
Known for their graceful appearance and fresh fragrance, daffodils symbolise nobility and good fortune.
(Photo: Zhang Qida, Guo Haoqi / southcn.com)
- Moth orchids: happiness and good luck
Moth orchids represent eternal unity and auspicious beginnings, bringing happiness and blessings.
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun Fabu)
- Lilies: a hundred years of harmony
As its Chinese name "bai he" (百合) literally means hundred and harmony, lilies symbolise family happiness, marital bliss, and overall harmony and satisfaction in life.
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun Fabu)
🚨Pet owners, however, take note!
🙅When visiting flower markets or bringing flowers home, pet owners should be cautious, as some flowers and plants can be harmful to pets if accidentally eaten: amaryllis, boat orchids, Christmas berries, widow's-thrills, hyacinths, cyclamen, laceleaves, lucky bamboo, daffodils, lilies, dyed pussy willows, and mandarin orange trees.
✅These flowers and plants are safe for pets: moth orchids, bromeliads, China roses, roses, canna lilies, camellias, money trees, monstera, and peacock plants.
Where to enjoy Guangdong's flower markets
From now until Chinese New Year's Eve (January 28, 2025), flower markets across Guangdong welcome visitors with dazzling displays. Here are some top picks:
- Guangzhou's Liwan Flower Market is famous for its unique "floating market" setup on Liwan Lake, blending tradition with scenic beauty.
(Photo: Nanfang Plus)
- The Yuexiu Xihu Flower Market in Guangzhou features 10 Cantonese intangible cultural heritage projects this year. GDToday also prepares exclusives prizes for visitors there.
(Photo: Yuexiu District Flower Market Office)
- Shenzhen's flower fair in the Dutch Flower Town is a fusion of tradition and technology.
(Photo: He Jun, Mai Junyu)
- The Chencun Spring Flower Market in Foshan's Shunde District boasts a stunning 16.8-meter orange tower.
(Photo: Chencun Publicity Department)
- Dongguan's flower markets are scattered in each sub-district, town, and village.
(Photo: Dongguan Today)
- Flower markets and festive attractions await residents and visitors alike in Yunfu.
(Photo: Nanfang Plus)
Author | Chen Longyan
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He
