As the five-day May Day holiday approaches, cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have unveiled an array of captivating tourism initiatives to entice travelers and invigorate the cultural and tourism sector.
A traditional travel peak in China, the May Day holiday spans from May 1 to 5. According to Tongcheng Travel, China’s leading travel booking platform, this year’s May Day holiday travel enthusiasm is expected to reach its highest peak since 2023, with many travelers seeking long-distance travel and high-quality leisure vacations.
Recently, Shenzhen launched the "Amazing Shenzhen" global tourism plan, featuring 20 highlights across the dining, shopping, accommodation and sightseeing sectors, with the aim of accelerating its transformation into a world-class tourism destination.
The city’s first duty-free shop in the downtown area is set to open this year, and the local government will release a citywide consumption map and a must-buy list for tourists as a reference. Cross-border payment platforms like WeChat Pay HK and AlipayHK will also introduce exclusive promotions.
Heightening enthusiasm, several new shopping malls have opened ahead of the May Day holiday, including K11 E-Coast, iN City Plaza, and Luohu Yitian Holiday Plaza, each offering a variety of themed activities.
More tourism landmarks will be unveiled later this year to enrich travelers’ experience. Opening on May 1, the new building of the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum in the Guangming District will offer an immersive experience featuring cutting-edge technology. In September and October, the Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza and the world's largest indoor ski resort, Shenzhen Qianhai Huafa Ice and Snow World, will debut.
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To attract international tourists, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have launched free half-day and one-day travel products, as well as various measures to facilitate visitors from overseas, encouraging them to explore China’s unique charm via the cities.
Catering to the travel needs of pet lovers, the nation’s first “pet terminal” at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is set to open on May 1.
The terminal integrates services such as quarantine booking, check-in, transportation, and boarding for pets, serving as a one-stop platform for pet travel.
During the holiday, cultural activities will be rolled out across the Greater Bay Area, ranging from Zhaoqing’s carnival featuring local cultural treasure Duan inkstone, to over 50 displays in Zhongshan showcasing intangible cultural heritage such as the drunken dragon dance, embroidery, and herbal tea with local characteristics.
As for art performances, this year’s Dongguan Strawberry Music Festival will return with an expanded format and an exciting lineup. The Head in the Clouds art festival, often referred to as Asia’s Coachella, will take place in Guangzhou’s Nansha District.
In addition, Zhuhai and Zhongshan have launched multiple travel routes that cover historical sites, neighboring islands, rural landscapes and urban vistas. Riding on the public’s enthusiasm for the 15th National Games scheduled for November, some cities also plan to introduce sports events during the holiday to attract tourists.
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A data report released by China’s influential social media platform WeChat revealed that during last year’s May Day holiday, four cities from the Greater Bay Area ranked among the top 10 in the nation for consumer spending. Guangzhou secured the top position, while Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan ranked fourth, sixth, and 10th, respectively.
