The traditional folk activities in Guangzhou are rich and colorful. During major festivals, people hold traditional folk activities, singing and dancing to celebrate the holidays and pray for good fortune.
Spring Festival Flower Fair
The Spring Festival Flower Fair is one of the most distinctive traditional folk activities in Guangzhou. It is usually held on the eve of the Spring Festival (from the 28th day to the Lunar New Year's Eve of the lunar calendar). The flower fair is filled with fresh flowers, potted tangerines, and New Year's Eve goods. Major parks will also hold flower exhibitions. People go "walking on the flower street" in groups to experience the lively festival atmosphere. Every household will buy flowers for decoration, which symbolizes the expectation for a better life in the new year.
Boluo Dan Temple Fair
Boluo Dan is one of the largest traditional folk temple fairs in Guangzhou. It is held from the 11th to the 13th day of the second lunar month every year, and the main day of the festival is the 13th day. The event is held at the Nanhai Temple in Huangpu District and has a history of thousands of years. During the temple fair, there are wonderful activities such as "Wu Zi Chao Wang" and dragon and lion dances. There are also specialty handicrafts "Boluo Chickens" on sale.
Kengkou Lettuce Festival
The Kengkou Lettuce Festival is the grand finale of Guangzhou's New Year customs. It is usually held from the 24th to the 26th day of the first lunar month. The activities include the lettuce banquet, Guanyin Goddess Jie Ku, catching snails and clams, and turning the windmill. The lettuce bun is a delicacy of the event, which symbolizes "making a fortune" and expresses people's good wishes for the new year.
Qixi Festival
The Qixi Festival is a traditional festival for women in Guangzhou, usually held on the evening of Qixi (the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar). Girls will put on new clothes, display antique treasures, fresh flowers, seasonal fruits and other items, burn incense and light candles, and kneel down and worship the sky, praying for dexterity and a good marriage. The Qixi Festival in Guangzhou retains many traditional customs, such as setting up the Qixi display, worshiping the immortals, and eating the Qiniang meal.
Dragon and Lion Dances
Dragon and lion dances are important activities during the Spring Festival in Guangzhou. There are various forms of dragon dance activities, including the Guangfu Big Golden Dragon, the straw dragon, etc. When performing, it is accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, and the scene is spectacular. The lion dance symbolizes dispelling evil spirits and bringing good luck and fortune.
Welcome to Guangzhou and feel the unique charm of its traditional customs! :)
