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.
Four Major Highlights of Zhongshan's May Day Celebrations
1. Non-Stop Cultural Performances
From April 30 to May 5, the Golden Earth Concerts will resonate across Zhongshan's iconic venues, including the Zhongshan Museum, Xiangshan Theater and Yongmo 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 Culture & Art Center will host the original ethnic dance drama Yinggeand the children's play Hi, Little Stone Lion, while Nanlang'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 Cultural Heritage Tourism Week expands into a six-day carnival, blending a village 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.
Markets and folk fairs in South District (Caobian Village), Sanxiang, Shenwan and Nanlang showcase lion dances, almond cookies, and Xiaolan embroidery.
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 laser-water shows. Meanwhile, Tanzhou Town's Holiday Sales 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:
The Museum of Dr Sun Yat-sen will unveil two new exhibitions featuring rare artifacts.
Zhongshan Movie Town will stage iron-forging shows and a special edition of the play Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Zhan's Garden merges tradition and trendiness with a Chinese Anime Carnival, offering hanfu (Han-style clothing) parades by day and immersive light shows by night.
Sports:
More than 30 National Games warm-up 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 South District and hiking in Wuguishan.
5. New Tours and Convenient Transit
Zhongshan has launched seven theme routes (e.g., "Heritage Trails," "Family Fun") and three special bus lines:
Camphor Park Eco-Tour Line: Connects downtown to Wuguishan's rural scenery.
Sun Yat-sen's Hometown Line: Provides direct access to the iconic Tourism Area of Sun Yat-sen Hometown.
Leisure Sightseeing Line: Cruises through historic blocks like Sunwen West Road.