The Dawan Chicken Olympiad Carnival (大湾鸡奥体嘉年华) – centered on the beloved mascots of the 15th National Games – opened at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Guangzhou’s Tianhe district on Wednesday.
As a highlight of the city’s Chinese New Year celebratory program, the carnival combines Lingnan cultural traditions with sports heritage to create an immersive, all-ages experience.
The mascots Xi Yangyang and Le Rongrong, inspired by the Chinese white dolphin but affectionately nicknamed “Dawan (Greater Bay) Chicken” by fans, became internet sensations for their playful antics during the Games. Guangzhou, one of the host cities of the sports event, has pledged to develop the mascots into a lasting attraction.
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Visitors can interact with life-sized mascot figures, enjoy performances, and take photos at illuminated installations such as a 10-meter-high inflatable model and a 6-meter-high “Dawan chicken” wall.
A key attraction is the return of the original Ao Fish (鳌鱼) – a 27-meter-long mythical creature with a dragon’s head and fish body that impressed audiences at the National Games opening ceremony. The mechanical marvel is constructed with a carbon fiber frame and 128 programmable LED scales, appearing to “float” in the air through a sophisticated system of helium-inflated air bags.
Nighttime visits after 6:30 pm is the best time to view the majestic Ao Fish, with lighting effects turned on.
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Admission is free through real-name registration on the WeChat mini-program Beilei Huacheng Manzuo （蓓蕾花城满座）. The interface is in Chinese.
The carnival operates 2 pm-10 pm from Tuesday to Friday and 10 am-10 pm on weekends and holidays, closing on Mondays.
Visitors can drive to the P6 parking lot south of the Olympic Sports Center or take the metro to Huangcun Station (黄村地铁站) and use Exit D for direct access.
The event also features a food market with local delicacies and a retail zone selling limited-edition mascot-themed souvenirs.
