From March 2 to 6, Guangzhou is hosting the "2026 International Distinguished Guests' Happy Journey in Guangzhou" event, bringing together 70 guests from 18 countries and regions to experience the city's unique Spring Festival atmosphere and Lingnan culture.
On the morning of the Lantern Festival, international visitors explored Yangji village and took part in a cultural parade showcasing traditional customs and intangible cultural heritage displays. They joined local villagers in tasting traditional Poon Choi, a classic Guangdong Spring Festival dish, immersing themselves in the festive Cantonese atmosphere.
Intl guests taste traditional Poon Choi in Guangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]
Molnar Marcell, a Hungarian social media influencer and Miniso brand ambassador with a strong interest in Chinese culture, shared his excitement after trying Tai Chi and Baduanjin. "What I anticipated most was joining the parade. I thought we would just watch, but actually participating made it so much fun! This grand parade is absolutely amazing," he said.
Intl guests experience Tai Chi in Guangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]
Co-hosted by Guangzhou municipal culture, radio, television and tourism bureau and China Southern Airlines, the event offers participants a curated itinerary that blends historical and modern aspects of Guangzhou. Activities include experiencing sugar painting, paper-cutting, calligraphy, Cantonese cuisine techniques, and opera mask painting.
Upcoming visits include exploring Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yongqing Fang, Canton Tower, Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, Chimelong Safari Park, and Yunluo Botanical Garden. Participants will also tour Baiyun Airport's terminals and China Southern Airlines' hangar to view the C919 aircraft specially painted for the 15th National Games.
The event reflects Guangzhou's expanding inbound tourism market, with the city's immigration checkpoint recording 47,000 foreign entries during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday, a 62 percent increase compared to last year. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport handled over 34,000 foreign arrivals during the same period, up 51.1 percent from last year.
