"Yuexiu District is the center of Guangzhou City that has never been changed since the city was founded over 2200 years ago. Countless cultural relics, parks, and delicacies are dotted here. We sincerely invite guests from all over the world to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Yuexiu, Guangzhou." Yang Weiguo, Director of Yuexiu Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, announced at a press conference on January 29.
According to Yang, the district will launch more than 280 cultural activities and Cantonese-style Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations with 12 different themes, including flower markets, temple fairs, music, reading, Chinese paintings, cultural relics, Cantonese opera, intangible cultural heritages, and light shows. All performances will be presented to global tourists in the coming two months.
The sea of flowers
The century-old Yuexiu Xihu Flower Market will kick off on February 6 and last until February 10, spanning four days.
Read more: Xihu Flower Market in Guangzhou's Yuexiu unveils exciting plans for 2024
Temple fairs
On February 24, a grand Cantonese float parade will be held on Beijing Road. Classic cars, Nanyue Guards, Liancheng Lanterns, Zhaoqing Dance, Guangfu-style Wedding Customs and other teams, as well as singers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will participate in this parade.
Parade route: Guangzhou Youth Culture Palace → North part of the Millennium Ancient Road on Beijing Road → Copper Kettle Hourglass → Grandbuy Xinyi Plaza on Xihu Road (广州市青年文化宫→北京路千年古道北段→铜壶滴漏→西湖路广百新翼广场)
On February 27, the 2024 Suxin Beauty Finals (素馨佳人总决赛) will be held at Zhongyou Square, Chenghuang Temple (城隍庙忠佑广场). The finals will combine traditional culture and fashion elements to showcase the image of beautiful, kind, and intelligent oriental women.
The Great Buddha Temple (大佛寺), the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (六榕寺), Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺), Sanyuan Taoist Temple (三元宫), and other places will hold the traditional "Visit Flower Street, Obtain Good Fortune" spectacle and distribute Fai Chun (挥春) to passersby. Fai Chun is a traditional decoration on people's must-buy lists. With lucky words or sentences written on red paper, Fai Chun includes Spring Festival couplets and "Fu (福, which means good fortune or blessings)" characters.
Music performances
From 19:00 to 20:00 on February 2 and 3, the "020 Hertz" city concert will be staged in the northern part of Beijing Road Pedestrian Street.
From January 31 to February 9, visitors can enjoy piano performances next to the Millennium Ancient Road on Beijing Road. On the streets, they can also come across small Spring Festival concerts or Hakka folk songs performed by local residents.
Lantern shows
Guangzhou's most stunning holiday tradition is back! The 2024 Yuexiu Lantern Show will be hosted from February 2 to March 4. The exhibition will span two major traditional Chinese festivals - the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival. Chinese artisans are already busy crafting all-new displays. These larger-than-life lanterns will captivate visitors at every turn with their amazing craftsmanship and artistic beauty.
Read more: 2024 Yuexiu Lantern Show to dazzle city as Chinese New Year celebrations heat up
In addition, the naked-eye 3D screen on the Xindaxin Department Store (新大新百货大楼) on Beijing Road will roll out a new naked-eye 3D video of the Year of the Dragon.
A bite of CNY
From February 24 to March 3, the Guangfu Food Exhibition will be organized on Huifu East Road (惠福东路). Hundreds of food stalls will bring tourists authentic Cantonese delicacies such as roasted pigeon, fish skin salad, and dry-fried rice noodles with beef.
Hotels will also offer delicious Cantonese cuisine and big discounts. As of now, the New Year's Eve dinners at the Guangzhou Garden Hotel, China Hotel, Xiangqun Restaurant, Baiyun Hotel, and Tao Tao Ju have been fully booked, and more than 90% of the New Year's Eve dinners at other catering companies have been booked.
Cantonese opera performances
From January 29 to February 16, Cantonese opera will be performed in the southern part of Beijing Road Pedestrian Street every afternoon and evening.
Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre, Southern Theatre, and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall will also launch a series of Cantonese opera performances in February.
Moreover, there are abundant cultural activities with themes such as reading, Chinese painting, cultural relics, and metaverse in Yuexiu District. For more details about cultural events, opening hours of museums, star-rated hotels, scenic spots, and tourist routes, please stay tuned to the GDToday WeChat account.
Reporter | Ariel
Editor | Steven, Monica, James
Photo | Nanfang Daily
