Tianhe has seen a strong start to the Year of the Horse, drawing 3.88 million visitors during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday (Feb 15 to 23), marking a year-on-year increase of 28.66 percent.

The district generated 3.5 billion yuan ($50,871) in cultural tourism revenue, up 15.7 percent, accounting for 19.3 percent and 17.2 percent of Guangzhou's total visitor volume and spending, respectively. These figures reaffirmed Tianhe's standing as the city's premier cultural tourism hub.

To celebrate the festival, Tianhe launched over 100 performances, exhibitions and fairs divided into five series, blending Cantonese heritage with modern vibrancy.

Crowds watch a dragon dance at a cultural event in Tianhe. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Immersive events proved to be a huge hit: the Greater Bay Chicken Carnival at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center attracted over 30,000 visitors, while Haixinsha INNO Carnival welcomed 180,000 guests. The Spring Festival Flower Fair, combining traditional cultural displays and the Tang-style lantern show at Grandview Mall, also saw strong popularity, as did a flower exhibition at the South China National Botanical Garden.

Performers in Tang Dynasty (618-907) costumes perform an elegant dance at the Tang-style lantern show. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu] 

Cultural programming enriched the holiday experience. The acrobatic fairy tale Sprouting Miracle at the Guangzhou Opera House featured the 15th National Games mascot—Greater Bay Chicken. Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre staged three classic operas, including Lotus Lantern, while the Guangdong Museum held three special exhibitions, including the Kuwait Royal Collection show.

Visitors enjoy the Greater Bay Chicken's performance integrated with traditional culture e at the carnival. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Major shopping malls such as Parc Central, Taikoo Hui and TEEMALL also hosted events to celebrate the Year of the Horse, integrating cultural experiences with retail. The vibrant festive atmosphere not only delighted visitors but also boosted local consumption, delivering both cultural richness and economic vitality.