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.
  
Yiyang

Qingxi Literary Village

From April 29 to May 5, the Qingxi Literary Village will hold a series of May Day event, including a youth band competition, a parent-child farming carnival, a book sharing session, an intangible cultural heritage craft workshop.

Ming and Qing-era Ancient Lane

From May 1 to 5, the Ming and Qing-era Ancient Lane will host an immersive May Day Carnival, featuring the Hanfu Huazhao Festival, an electronic music night, fun games, an intangible cultural heritage master workshop, and a night market.

Taohuajiang Bamboo Sea Scenic Area

From April 30 to May 3, the Taohuajiang Bamboo Sea Scenic Area will launch a series of activities, warmly inviting residents and tourists to participate. There will be dance performances, traditional opera, folk music, skits, a public tug-of-war challenge, and the Taojiang rural karaoke competition, among others.

Chenzhou

Mangshan National Forest Park

From May 1 to 5, a "May Day Forest Relaxation Carnival" will be launched, offering visitors an immersive relaxation experience. At the visitor center, a "Jump for Joy" bonfire and bamboo pole dance party will be held, helping visitors to release their energy with laughter and cheer. At Tiantai Mountain, an event will be held to enable visitors to take an escalator to the summit. Jiangjunzhai will feature a jungle hiking activity, inviting visitors to capture forest-inspired photos. At Houwangzhai, a riverside tea market will be set up, where visitors can enjoy tea, relax, and savor authentic Yao ethnic cuisine.

Mangshan Mountain Wuzhifeng Scenic Area

From May 1 to 4, the scenic area will launch a series of May Day event, bringing an immersive blend of Yao ethnic charm and trendy interactive experiences. Visitors can embark on a romantic love-chasing tour of the Yao ethnic group, witness the thrilling intangible cultural heritage performance of climbing a mountain of knives, and join the engaging Yao princess "husband-seeking" challenge. There will be a high-tech robot dance performance, offering a unique and delightful experience.

Feitian Mountain Cuijiang Tourist Area

From April 29 to May 5, Feitian Mountain and Jiulong Water Village will launch themed cultural tourism activities during the May Day holiday. On the lawn of Linjiang Pavilion, a sports meeting will be held, featuring traditional fun games such as pitch-pot, cuju (ancient football game), and the tug-of-war. An elegant spring gathering will be set up, with guzheng performances and traditional Chinese tea ceremony experiences at the Xiaoyao Island Coffee House. Meanwhile, a banquet will be held at Linjiang Pavilion, where visitors can engage in poetry recitation and couplet composing. A variety of performances will also be staged in rotation. Martial arts and dance showcases will be held at Linjiang Pavilion, while the swing area will feature a "Magpie Bridge Fairy" themed interaction event. Visitors can also enjoy a fish culture leisure experience, sitting quietly by the water to fish like an old angler. During the daytime from May 1 to 3, Wayaoping will offer intangible cultural heritage experiences and ancient-style role-playing interactions. Evenings feature water performances, a fish lantern parade, and a bonfire carnival.

Gaoyiling Tourist Area

From May 1 to 5, the Gaoyiling Tourist Area will present a themed play extravaganza, featuring distinctive photo spots. Costumed characters will make surprise appearances, leading fun interactive parades. Additionally, an experience zone will be set up, offering a variety of parent-child craft activities and photo opportunities — a diverse range of ways to enjoy a relaxing holiday.

Wanyang Mountain Scenic Area

From May 1 to 3, the scenic area will host a "May Day Healing Life Festival," featuring a romantic flower fairy parade, a sunset concert amidst a sea of flowers, and a grassland camping movie night — all creating an immersive atmosphere. Paired with sound therapy and meditation experiences using hand drums and singing bowls, visitors can embrace a perfectly soothing, slow-paced retreat in the mountains.
  
Yongzhou

Jiuyi Mountain Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, the Jiuyi Mountain Scenic Area will host May Day events. At 9:58 on May 1, a memorial ceremony to worship Emperor Shun will be held at the Square of Emperor Shun's Mausoleum. From May 1 to 4, an event will take place at the square, where visitors can interact with characters such as Emperor Shun, his ministers, and his two imperial concubines through "poetry exchanges." Those who complete designated tasks will be awarded with gifts. From May 1 to 4, the Nanfengji Block will host a lively opening ceremony, along with fun street games and regular performances. Activities also include an interactive show featuring the Yao ethnic group's unique marriage customs, the play "The Two Imperial Concubines Seek Their Husband," a concert, and a snack-grabbing challenge.

China Love Town

From May 1 to 4, the Love Town will present a series of special performances. The melodious boat songs and dances on Peach Blossom Island, the lively and joyful long drum dance of the Yao ethnic group, and the elegant Hanfu show will be staged in turn. There will also be fun interactive activities such as the "seeking a son-in-law," fully showcasing the romantic charm.

Goulan Yao Village Scenic Area

From May 1 to 3, the scenic area will host the 2026 Goulan Yao Village China-Chic Cultural Season. During this period, special ceremonies and folk performances will be held, including a welcome ceremony at the tower, traditional dragon dances, and the Yao village gate-visiting ritual. The intangible cultural heritage experience hall will also be open, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of this thousand-year-old Yao village and encounter the charm of intangible cultural heritage.
 
Huaihua

Gaoyi Ancient Village Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, a series of Gaoyi farming culture activities will be held. Distinctive welcoming ceremonies will take place, including welcome drums, lanmen wine, bamboo pole dancing, and Nuo dance flash mobs. The Xiazhai Ancestral Hall performances and an intangible cultural heritage market will open simultaneously. The farming experience area will offer activities such as catching chickens and ducks, "muddy water fishing" (catching fish in muddy water), and fun crayfish fishing. In addition, there will be a farming-and-reading themed fashion show, a bonfire beer festival, and more. Visitors can use "Gaoyi silver notes" for purchases and take part in a fun mud-pig catching competition to win surprise gifts.

Xuefeng Mountaion National Forest Park

From May 1 to 5, the Xuefeng Mountain National Forest Park will launch the "Youthful Xuefeng · Labor Fun" series of activities. On May 1 from 15:00 to 21:30, a forest folk music festival will be held at the Pingshantang main stage, featuring local singers and folk bands performing songs themed rural life, mountains, and youth. At 16:00 from May 1 to 4, a high-altitude color smoke show will take place simultaneously. Between 19:30 and 20:00 from May 1 to 4, a drone array light show will present auspicious dragon and phoenix formations, creating a spectacular visual spectacle in the air and lighting up over the sky of Xuefeng Mountain. During the May Day holiday, a youth camping sharing session will be held around the Pingshantang lakeside, including light luxury camping, tent experiences, sunset capturing, starlight movie screenings, and mountain barbecues.

Huangdu Dong Cultural Village Scenic Area

From May 1 to 5, the Huangdu Dong Cultural Village will be bustling with entertainment and activities. From 10:00 to 10:30 during this period, authentic folk performances will take place on the waterside platform. From 11:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 16:00, a fun challenge will be held. From 14:30 to 15:00, a welcome ceremony of the Dong ethnic group will take place. From 15:20 and 16:40, a parade will be held to connect the main gate, the new village pontoon bridge, the courtyard of Yueye Inn, the drum tower square, and the outdoor performance venue. From 17:00 to 17:50, a high-quality drama "Dongting: Huangdu" will take the stage. From 19:30 and 20:00, a distinctive folk bonfire party will be held, offering an all-day immersive experience of the rich Dong ethnic culture.

Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town

From now until May 5, the Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town will host a series of immersive interactive performances. Additionally, as part of the "Legend of Hongjiang Merchants" script-based tour, visitors can choose from three professions—escort, strategist, or herbalist—to complete interactive tasks, earn silver notes, and experience the bustling atmosphere of the ancient commercial town.
 
Loudi

Ziquejie Terraced Fields

From May 1 to 3, the Ziquejie Terraced Fields will hold a May Day intangible cultural heritage and folk culture performance event, featuring martial arts shows, folk song tour performances at the observation deck. The event aims to present a cultural profound and vibrant feast for visitors from all directions.

Ziyunxuan Resort

From May 1 to 5, Ziyunxuan Resort will host a spring outing event, featuring goldfish catching, duck fishing, and interactive clown performances, as well as a retro family game zone and a DIY activity area where guests can make kites and cotton candy, and plant succulents. In the evenings, visitors can enjoy a bubble "battle," outdoor movies, and a fireworks show.

Feishuiya Scenic Area

From May 1 to June 15, the Feishuiya Scenic Area will offer discounted tickets. Adult rafting tickets are regularly priced at 198 yuan but will be available for 80 yuan during this period; children's rafting tickets are regularly priced at 168 yuan but will be available for 40 yuan.

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Rebala Scenic Area

During the May Day holiday, the Rebala Scenic Area will host a variety of Tujia intangible cultural heritage experiences, including wedding processions, marriage ceremonies, and performances depicting the Tusi chieftains welcoming guests. Visitors can enjoy Tujia folk song duets, the art of expressing feelings through blowing leaves, lessons on playing the Dongdongkui, and hands-on experiences in weaving Tujia brocade. Additionally, visitors can experience the unique Tujia culture through the "Princess Xilan" dance, Tujia greeting songs, and a bonfire party.

Shibadong Scenic Area

During the May Day holiday, the Shibadong Scenic Area will host a series of intangible cultural heritage performances, including Miao welcome drum dances, the Badai scarf dance, the knife ladder performance, the dragon-catching dance, and Miao folk songs, enabling residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the charm of these cultural traditions.

Biancheng Chadong Scenic Area

During the May Day holiday, the Biancheng Chadong Scenic Area will host immersive live performances. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy the scene performances, a Cui Cui's parade, fishing lights, lantern displays, the Nuo mask dance, and Miao folk songs.

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

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism