By Stephanie LI丨SFC, 21st Century Business Herald 

As the calendar flipped to 2026, Guangdong Province kicked off the year with a resounding “grand opening” in its cultural and tourism sector.

Preliminary estimates from the Guangdong Department of Culture and Tourism reveal that during the three-day New Year’s holiday, the province welcomed 17.875 million visitors, marking a 34.8% year-on-year daily average increase. Tourism revenue soared to 9.98 billion yuan, up 39.8% on average per day, while 4A-level and above scenic spots attracted 5.56 million tourists, growing 15.3%.

These figures not only paint a picture of bustling crowds and vibrant festivities but also underscore Guangdong’s underlying economic strength and its strategic positioning for the “15th Five-Year Plan” era.

This surge in tourism activity is no mere seasonal blip but the reflection of a meticulously orchestrated blend of cultural offerings that cater to diverse tastes. From high-profile art exhibitions to traditional opera performances and international concerts, Guangdong transformed into a cultural powerhouse over the holiday. At the Guangdong Museum of Art, the “So Long, So Rich: Huang Yongyu’s New Works Exhibition” drew throngs of visitors, with interactive sessions allowing audiences to engage creatively with the artist’s whimsical style.

The international flair added another layer of allure. Renowned orchestras from Vienna, Italy, and Berlin graced stages in the Greater Bay Area, infusing global melodies with local elements like “Butterfly Lovers.” Choral groups innovated by reinterpreting pop hits with interactive twists, appealing to younger demographics. Venues like the Guangzhou Opera House and Xinghai Concert Hall reported sold-out shows, with the latter’s “Masters Gathering” series featuring cross-border collaborations that attracted nearly 4,000 attendees, reinforcing the Bay Area’s status as a magnet for high-end cultural experiences.

Digitally, Guangdong embraced innovation to extend its reach. The Guangdong Provincial Museum hosted online salons delving into ancient texts, while the Guangdong Cultural Center launched an AI-enhanced short video contest under the “Cultural Promotion Officer” initiative. These “cloud-based” activities, part of the broader “Guangdong New Year: Create the Future” digital campaign, engaged over 23,000 visitors in interactive experiences like VR tours and non-heritage workshops. 

Beyond the festivities, this New Year’s momentum signals deeper economic implications. Guangdong’s tourism triumph—nearly 10 billion yuan in just three days—mirrors its robust fundamentals.

In 2025, the province’s industrial value added grew 3.2% in the first 11 months, with high-tech sectors like drones and robots surging. Guangdong boasts nine trillion-yuan industry clusters, leading nationally in AI, digital economy, and new energy vehicles. Its innovation prowess is evident in the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou” cluster ranking first globally in innovation indices.

Transportation metrics further affirm this vitality: airports handled over 180 million passengers in 2025, and Guangzhou’s metro set a national daily ridership record at 14 million. Emerging projects, like the world’s first self-navigating aquaculture platform “Bay Area Lingding” and a robot climbing challenge at Guangzhou Tower, showcase AI integration in real-world applications, aligning with the “15th Five-Year Plan’s” emphasis on high-quality development and technological self-reliance.

Yet, challenges persist. Global uncertainties and the transition from old to new growth drivers demand vigilance. Guangdong must continue upgrading traditional industries, nurturing emerging ones, and enhancing sci-tech innovation through the Greater Bay Area’s centers.

In essence, Guangdong’s New Year “heatwave” of cultural consumption is more than a holiday high—it’s a testament to its economic resilience, innovative spirit, and people-centric growth model. As the province charges into the “15th Five-Year Plan,” this early win sets a promising tone, proving that cultural vibrancy can fuel sustainable prosperity. With strategic investments in tourism, tech, and talent, Guangdong is poised to lead China’s high-quality development narrative.

Editor: LI Yanxia

Host: Stephanie LI

Writer: Stephanie LI

Sound Editor: Stephanie LI

Graphic Designer: ZHENG Wenjing, LIAO Yuanni

Produced by 21st Century Business Herald Dept. of Overseas News.

Presented by SFC