As the Spring Festival approaches, Guangzhou, the historic flower city, attracts many domestic and foreign tourists. The reporter recently interviewed some compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao and overseas Chinese. They will visit flower streets, attend temple fairs, taste Cantonese delicacies, and enjoy theatrical performances such as dragon and lion dances in Guangzhou during the Spring Festival this year. Some people have even made preparations early. The "itinerary" of coming to Guangzhou for the Chinese New Year, and preparing to check in and have fun during the Spring Festival... All interviewees said that Guangzhou, a thousand-year-old commercial capital, not only retains traditional culture, but is also full of fashionable vitality. Guangzhou's Spring Festival activities this year are rich and colorful, and they They are all looking forward to celebrating the New Year in Guangzhou and experiencing the excitement and joy of the Spring Festival in Guangzhou.
Hong Kong compatriots: Guangzhou’s strong New Year flavor is unforgettable and domestic and foreign tourists come here here
Jiang Yuhuan, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a practicing lawyer. She is originally from Guangzhou and plans to return to her hometown to experience the flavor of the New Year this Spring Festival. Jiang Yuhuan travels between Guangzhou and Hong Kong for work. On a recent weekend, she returned to Guangzhou again, not only to attend the company's annual meeting, but also to get together with long-lost friends.
In Guangzhou, Jiang Yuhuan deeply felt the unique leisure and comfort of this city. Guangzhou is even more lively during the Chinese New Year. According to her knowledge, there will be many cultural and tourism activities held during the Spring Festival this year. The most eye-catching one is the gorgeous return of the fireworks display. In addition, there are various garden parties, garden expos, and The flower markets in various districts are full of expectations. Jiang Yuhuan believes that Guangzhou’s strong New Year atmosphere this year will attract countless domestic and foreign tourists.
Recalling the impressions of the Spring Festival when she lived in Guangzhou as a child, Jiang Yuhuan recounted: "The Chinese New Year in Guangzhou at that time was very lively with temple fairs. Traditional performances such as lion dances and folk arts such as lanterns were dizzying. But the most unforgettable thing for me is The best is Guangzhou cuisine." Jiang Yuhuan's aunt once worked in a time-honored restaurant in Guangzhou, and the delicacies she tasted as a child are still deeply "branded" on her taste buds. Jiang Yuhuan's father later went to Hong Kong to develop, and also brought Guangzhou barbecue to Hong Kong, and used it as a livelihood for the whole family.
Under the teachings of her father during his lifetime, Jiang Yuhuan always maintained her affection for her hometown and often returned to Guangzhou to worship her ancestors during holidays. Now every Chinese New Year, she longs to return to Guangzhou, immerse herself in the rich nostalgia, and spend time with family and friends.
Jiang Yuhuan was deeply impressed by Guangzhou's rapid development. "Nowadays, whether it is from Hong Kong to Guangzhou or from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, the transportation is extremely convenient, and the customs clearance process is also constantly optimized."
Jiang Yuhuan also praised the cultural protection and inheritance of his hometown. She recalled that she took her sons to visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall 20 years ago. The experience left a deep impression on them. She believed that traditional culture and traditional architecture are still full of vitality in modern Guangzhou. As a person who is passionate about cultural activities, Jiang Yuhuan hopes to participate in more cultural activities in Guangzhou in the future.
Jiang Yuhuan said that Guangzhou is a vibrant and charming city with many cultural heritages that deserve more publicity and promotion. She told reporters that she is also fervently calling on more Hong Kong compatriots to come to Guangzhou for sightseeing, experience Lingnan customs and culture, taste authentic Cantonese cuisine, and watch traditional theatrical performances such as Cantonese opera.
Jiang Yuhuan said with emotion that although she has lived in Hong Kong most of her life, Guangzhou has always been her hometown. She hopes that more Hong Kong compatriots will come to Guangzhou to celebrate the New Year and spend an unforgettable time with their family and friends.
Macau compatriots: Invite your family to immerse yourself in “eating in Guangzhou” during the Chinese New Year and experience the unique smell of fireworks
Macau resident Tan Jiawen is the deputy secretary-general of the Hong Kong and Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Service Center in Tianhe District, Guangzhou. She has been working hard in this city since 2021. This Spring Festival, Tan Jiawen decided to take his family in Macau to experience the unique New Year flavor of Guangzhou.
The flower market in Guangzhou is Tan Jiawen’s most anticipated show. She recalled the scene when she went to the flower market last year, when she received a beautiful lantern, and the joy and beauty still lingered in her heart. Since Tan Jiawen's family has never tried to celebrate the Spring Festival in Guangzhou, she also plans to arrange for her family to go to Conghua to soak in hot springs and to experience the New Year flavor of old Guangzhou at scenic spots such as Beijing Road and Shangxiajiu.
"Food in Guangzhou" is well-known, and Tan Jiawen also plans to take his family to some "Internet celebrity check-in spots" in the old town of Guangzhou to taste delicious food during the Spring Festival this year. She told reporters that she hopes to taste beef offal, double skin milk, pork red soup, wonton noodles and other delicacies with her family to experience the unique flavor of Guangzhou. "Of course, a rich morning tea is essential." Tan Jiawen said that there are many teahouses in Guangzhou that are full of human fireworks, and they are all her favorites.
After working in Guangzhou for a few years, Tan Jiawen always lingers over delicious food. "Whether it's a small stall or a big shop, you can find Guangzhou delicacies that are endlessly memorable." Snacks in the old town are Tan Jiawen's favorite. She feels that it is very lively, and you can find brightly lit snack shops even late at night. "Guangzhou is full of the smell of human fireworks. In the snack street in the old city, the food cooked by grandma and uncle is very delicious." Tan Jiawen also said that Guangzhou has a variety of delicious food, and people from different places can find it here. What you like to eat.
Tan Jiawen said that she will continue to invite her family to Guangzhou for the New Year in the future and experience the charm of this city together.
Malaysian Chinese: Looking at the beautiful flowers in the Flower City, I miss the dragon and lion dance
Mr. Li is a Malaysian Chinese. He chose to come to China for development 12 years ago and is now the design director of a foreign-funded enterprise in Guangzhou. Over the years of working and living in Guangzhou, Mr. Li also found love and married his Chinese daughter-in-law, Ms. Sun. Mr. Li introduced that although his family are all in Malaysia, they have retained the tradition of family reunion during the Spring Festival for many years.
Mr. Li said that the Spring Festival atmosphere in Malaysia is also very strong. In Kuala Lumpur, shopping malls now have the atmosphere of the Chinese Spring Festival, but he still misses the scene of visiting the flower streets and watching lanterns during the New Year in Guangzhou. "Flowers bloom all over the city during the Spring Festival, which keeps the city in brilliant colors. Guangzhou is really a beautiful flower city." Mr. Li recalled that one year during the Spring Festival, his family of three witnessed many floats at Haixinsha Square. Xiangdu was bustling with activity, and stall owners were busy selling all kinds of New Year's goods. That scene made him feel deeply that the flavor of the New Year in Guangzhou is rich and intoxicating.
Although Mr. Li’s family makes their home in Tianhe District, they often go to Yuexiu District during the Chinese New Year in search of the New Year feelings that belong to old Guangzhou. He said that the New Year atmosphere in Guangzhou is unique, especially the dragon and lion dance performances that always touch people's hearts. "The children and I were intoxicated in this traditional art performance together. The exciting drum beats and vigorous dance postures made us happy and excited." Mr. Li said that this year's Spring Festival, what they are thinking about is still the majestic dragon dance. Lion show. "I will share the beautiful photos of Guangzhou with my relatives and friends, hoping that they can also better understand the human touch and fireworks of Guangzhou."
On November 24 last year, China implemented a visa-free policy for Malaysia. Starting from December 1 last year, Malaysia has also implemented visa-free convenience measures for Chinese citizens within 30 days of entry. Ms. Sun said that it was very convenient for her to fly from China to Malaysia recently, and the entry process was also very fast. "This year we also plan to invite our families to travel to Guangzhou to celebrate the New Year. Now air tickets are cheaper than before, and there is no need for a visa. It is truly possible to leave whenever you want."
Text/Guangzhou Daily All-Media Reporter Zhou Weiliang