As the warm spring sunshine embraces the May Day holiday, how will you spend your break in Hunan? We have prepared a generous cultural tourism gift package and cordially invite tourists from across the country to join us for a joyful holiday here in Hunan. Check out this travel guide to make the most of your holiday.

Zhuzou

Qingshuitang 1956 Industrial Heritage Site

From May 1 to 5, there will be a cultural and creative market, the Qingshuitang Book Fair, and immersive interactive photo spots. Additional supporting activities include the "Epoch of Boiling Earth" Exhibition, an industrial art exhibition, a mechanical device parade, and a retro flash mob.

Liling

From May 1 to 3, the "One River, Two Banks" area in Liling City will host the 4th Fried Rice Noodle Festival & Spicy Dried Duck Food Festival. A total of 10,000 free servings of fried rice noodles will be offered each day, and 5,000 kilograms of spicy dried duck will be distributed from May 1 to 3. Restaurants across the city will offer free fried rice noodles with any purchase, and on-site purchases of spicy dried duck will enjoy special discounts. Meanwhile, a variety of activities include a flower goddess parade, an electronic music party, an intangible cultural heritage fair, ceramic DIY, voluntary clinics of traditional Chinese medicine, and the show "Guocai Liling."

Shennong Valley Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, a series of activities will be held at the Shennong Valley Scenic Area. For visitors whose birth date (as shown on their national ID card) falls between May 1 and 5, they can enjoy free admission and free shuttle bus service during the May Day holiday by presenting a valid ID card. For visitors holding a valid ID card with household registration in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region or Guangdong Province, they can enjoy free admission and free shuttle bus service from mid‑April to May 31.

In addition, visitors staying at the Shennong Valley Hotel during the May Day holiday will receive a 55% discount off the in-store price. From 14:00 to 16:00  on May 2 and 3, the Wild Forest Carnival will take place, featuring bonfire dances, bamboo pole dances, band performances, and much more. During the May Day holiday, there will also be a Master Angler Competition, an immersive streamside rustic fun experience, and an eco-adventure to discover local plants and wildlife. Free professional guides will be provided to lead visitors along Jinghua Creek.

Zhuzhou Fantawild

From April 30 to May 5, Zhuzhou Fantawild will hold a series of activities. During the Early Summer Carnival, 2,000 drones will stage an "Interstellar Echoes" sky dome show, presenting visual wonders such as interstellar travel, cosmic storms, and UFOs. There will also be close interaction with over 100 interstellar NPCs, a parade of mech chariots and dazzling floats, and an interstellar carnival party.

For the Jurassic Exploration activity, a dinosaur scene play will vividly recreate the Jurassic ecology, allowing visitors to interact with dinosaurs up close.
In addition, the immersive interactive block "Qiantang Night Market" will open simultaneously, featuring the "Water Curtain Cave Fireworks Feast" and a brilliant fusion of the thousand‑year‑old molten iron fireworks show with modern lighting, creating a dazzling visual spectacle.

Yunashang Courtyard Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, visitors whose birth date falls between May 1 and May 5 can enjoy free admission to the scenic area by presenting their own ID card.

Scenic Area of Emperor Yan's Mausoleum

During the May Day holiday, the Scenic Area of Emperor Yan's Mausoleum will launch a series of activities. From May 1 to 5, there will be two ancestral worship and blessing ceremonies each day, in which visitors can participate in and experience the rituals. Every day from 11:00 to 13:00 at a designated corridor, 200 portions of "Shennong meals" will be prepared for visitors. Additionally, there will be fun games, including a molten iron fireworks show.

Xiangtan

Mao Zedong Memorial Park in Shaoshan

From May 1 to 5, the Mao Zedong Memorial Park in Shaoshan will host a themed performance event titled "Passing on the Revolutionary Legacy, Celebrating May Day." Professional folk performance troupes specializing in revolutionary-themed performances will be invited to stage shows at designated locations—including Shiganniang, the forecourt of Huainiantang (Memorial Hall), Luding Bridge, and connecting pathways—utilizing the memorial park's replicas of historic revolutionary sites. The program will feature drum dances, intangible cultural heritage folk songs, dragon dances, and other performances.

Wanlou Youth Pier

From now until May 5, the Wanlou Youth Pier will hold the "Pier Carnival," creating an immersive cultural tourism festival centered around the themes of "Pier Jianghu (the world of martial arts), family-friendly fun, and joy." The event will feature diverse content such as extreme performances, IP collaborations, and pier art.

Yaowan Scenic Area

From May 1 to May 5, the Yaowan Scenic Area will launch the event "Dramas at Yaowan, Fireworks in Xiangtan." The Yaowan block will host an immersive "Golden Xiangtan" script-based adventure game, while the Tanbao Teahouse will feature face-changing performances, Chinese-style dance, and traditional Chinese musical instrument performances.

Paragon Garden

From May 1 to 5, the park will feature all-day live performances, including the Unitree robotics (the same model that appeared on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala), a "giant Tyrannosaurus," and the "Twelve Flower Goddesses" dancing. There will also be a parade of floats and flying horses, singing contests and street performances, as well as ancient-style interactive activities.

Shaoyang

Langshan Mountain Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, annual model workers and May Day Labor Medal winners at or above the county level can enjoy a free ride for the Langshan Mountain Scenic Area B‑Line with their valid honorary certificates and ID cards, and enjoy a 50% discount on the Bajiaozhai cableway and the Fuyi River rafting. Their immediate family members (who must provide proof of relationship) receive a 50% discount on both the Langshan Scenic Area B‑Line and the cableway. From May 1 to 4, acrobatic performances including flying knives, intangible cultural heritage pole balancing, ice ballet, and high‑altitude high‑pole acts will be held at the front square of the Bajiaozhai Cableway Station. During the May Day holiday, the scenic area will also feature a floral hairpin parade, performances by professional art troupes, impromptu folk song duels, and other activities.

Gulouyi Ecological and Cultural Tourism Area in Dongkou County

From now until May 4, the Gulouyi Ecological and Cultural Tourism Area will host the event "A Thousand Years of Tea Ceremony - Dreaming of Gulouyi," featuring an immersive five‑dynasty tea culture experience with Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties-themed zones. Visitors can interact with NPCs and collect stamps at designated checkpoints. Additionally, the first 50 visitors each day enjoy free admission (with ID card or online reservation), and those who are dressed in full ancient costume (Hanfu, Tang suit, etc.) can enter the scenic area for free.

Wugang Ancient Town

From May 1 to 5, the Wugang Ancient Town will feature a shadow dance, silk string performances, a fish lantern dance, a Hanfu flash mob, and band performances. There will also be parades featuring the "Flower Goddesses," anime characters, and mechas. Visitors can also take part in activities such as making sachets and painted lacquer fans.

Yueyang

Yueyang Tower Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, the Yueyang Tower Scenic Area invites residents and tourists to exchange poems with "Fan Zhongyan." Professional actors will appear randomly throughout the scenic area, portraying historical literary figures such as Fan Zhongyan, Teng Zijing, and Li Bai, to interact with visitors, engage in poetry recitation, answer questions, and present gifts.

Dongting Lake Town

Between 9:00 and 18:00 from May 1 to 5, the Dongting Lake Town will host the "Dongting Rice Fragrance Crayfish Fishing Carnival," featuring a thousand-person crayfish fishing competition, a crayfish market, food & fun, and exciting interactive games. Moreover, with the ticket stub of the crayfish fishing competition, visitors can enjoy 10% off at partner restaurants and 20% off for the "Sheyue Dongting" performance. Visitors with a resort entrance ticket or accommodation voucher can participate in crayfish fishing at 20% off. With a crayfish fishing ticket, you can also enjoy a 20% discount on the night cruise and a 10% discount on hotel stays within three days.

Houlang Park 

Between 10:00 and 21:00 from May 1 to 5, the Houlang Park will host the 2026 Nanhu Joyful May Day Carnival serial events. There will be a live broadcast at the Dongting Grand Stage, a parent-child carnival, a thousand-drone show, and the Happy Waterfront activities.

Yangsha Lake Tourist Attraction

From May 1 to 5, the Yangsha Lake Tourist Attraction in Xiangyin County will host a series of events. Here, you can take part in a competition to shed fatigue and immerse yourself in relaxation. Join a gathering, where a giant kite wall will be created on site, blending intangible cultural heritage with the beauty of spring scenery. Step onto the green field for a giant football match and unleash your energy through every run and tackle. Grab your friends for a pillow fight, using softness to counter worries and freely release stress. Unwind at the lawn concert, relaxing your body and mind to the rhythm of music.

Zhang Guying Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, the Zhang Guying Scenic Area in Yueyang County will hold a "May Day Vault Exploration Tour," featuring a giant "vault door" and interior space as themed settings, allowing visitors to feel as if they are inside a movie for an enhanced immersive experience. An interactive game called "Key Hunt in the Vault" will also be offered to add fun and challenge.
  
Changde

Changde Hejie Street

From May 1 to 5, Changde Hejie Street will hold a "May Day Carnival," featuring folk music concerts, a China-chic electronic music party, a bridal sedan chair performance parade, a traditional Chinese medicine wellness market, a ring toss competition, and other activities.

Taohuayuan Scenic Area

From now until May 8, the Taohuayuan Scenic Area will host a spring cultural tourism feast, featuring immersive farming experiences, a China-chic flower goddess parade, an intangible cultural heritage fair, special performances, and other diverse activities. All these aim to create a comprehensive spring cultural extravaganza.
 
Changde Wildlife World

From now until May 10, the Changde Wildlife World will host the Hanshou Changye Cup Themed Rural Horse Performance Competition, inviting residents and tourists to enjoy an authentic ethnic equestrian feast. During the May Day holiday, there will also be intangible cultural heritage performances, martial arts, pet interaction shows, and a light show.

Huping Mountain Grand Canyon Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, visitors who purchase tickets on site can enjoy a 50% discount (original price: 70 yuan).
  
Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

From May 1 to 5, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park will host intangible cultural heritage performances for visitors, including lantern shows, folk songs, and hand-waving dances. Ginger tea, hot water, and bottled water will be provided to visitors free of charge at ticket gates, management offices, and tourism enterprises.

Huanglong Cave

From May 1 to 5, the Huanglong Cave will host the world music week, featuring internationally renowned instrumental musicians performing world classic pieces each day, creating a unique and immersive cave music experience.

Baofeng Lake Scenic Area

During the May Day holiday, the Baofeng Lake Scenic Area will launch a series of promotions. On May 1, labor models at all levels can enjoy free admission by presenting their model worker certificate and ID card at the ticket office. From May 1 to 5, self-driving tourists can enter the park for free (one person per household) by showing their ID card, driver's license, and vehicle registration certificate.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism