The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area experienced a significant increase in tourism during the National Day holiday from October 1 to 7, 2026. Guangdong province saw 62.79 million visitor arrivals and generated 58.44 billion yuan ($8.73 billion) in tourism revenue, according to the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.
Visitor arrivals originating from outside Guangdong province totaled 9.95 million, reflecting a 21.6 percent year-on-year rise. Inbound daily tourist numbers to the province grew by 17.3 percent compared to the previous year.
Tourism Growth in Guangdong and Guangzhou
Guangzhou received 16.05 million tourists during the holiday, with cultural and tourism spending reaching 14.5 billion yuan. The
city hosted over 2,000 cultural and tourism activities during this period. Visitor numbers in Guangzhou increased 5.5 percent year-on-year, while tourism consumption rose 5.9 percent compared to the same holiday in 2025.
Cultural and Night Tourism Highlights in Guangzhou
Night tourism attractions contributed to Guangzhou’s holiday appeal. The “A River of Pearls, A Guangzhou Painting Scroll” light show illuminated the Pearl River waterfront, combining urban scenes with artistic displays. The Guangzhou Tower featured themed light shows alongside family-oriented programs and traditional cultural performances.
Four art institutions in Guangdong, including the Guangdong Museum of Art and Guangzhou Museum of Art, ranked among China’s ten most visited art museums
during the National Day holiday.
Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Zhuhai and Huizhou
Zhuhai integrated intangible cultural heritage performances such as the Sanzao Crane Dance, Qianshan Fengji Dance, and Shatian folk songs into its coastal tourism offerings. The city recorded 3.1 million tourist arrivals, with an 18.1 percent year-on-year increase in average daily visitors.
Huizhou’s Nankun Mountain-Luofu Mountain tourism pilot zone presented a 218-kilometer route blending natural scenery with cultural experiences centered on intangible heritage. The zone received 2.62 million visitors during the holiday, with average daily visitor numbers growing 8.3 percent year-on-year.
Digital Technology Enhances Cultural Tourism
Digital innovations enriched cultural tourism across the Greater Bay Area, including AI-generated art, digital exhibitions,
and intelligent service platforms. These technologies offered visitors interactive and immersive ways to engage with traditional culture during the holiday.
