Nighttime Cultural Tourism Turns Guangfu into a May Holiday Hotspot.

When the sun sets, the ancient Chinese city of Guangfu does not fade into darkness — it awakens in all its glowing grandeur. Nighttime cultural tourism has turned this historic centre in Handan, Hebei Province in northern China, into one of the most popular May Day holiday destinations. How light technology and traditional performances are attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors — as reported by CCTV+.

The May Day holidays, which run from May 1st to 5th, have triggered a nationwide surge in tourism. And the ancient city of Guangfu is no exception — it is drawing crowds eager to immerse themselves in nighttime excursions.

As night falls, the 2,600‑year‑old ancient city truly comes alive, shining with brilliant lights. Along the 100‑metre moat surrounding the historic site, tourists board traditional painted pleasure boats to watch mesmerising Tai Chi performances on the water. Guests enjoy the charm of traditional culture amidst dazzling light shows.

A tourist named Han Xing shared his impression: the night view of the ancient city is truly breathtaking — a real visual feast, he said.

At the other end of the moat, thrilling stunt shows using water jets dazzle the crowds, alternating with spectacular folk performances such as Dahua — the centuries‑old art of throwing molten iron into the air to create cascading fireworks.

In the ancient streets and alleys, elegant parades in traditional costumes and live performances of classical Chinese music fill the air with melodic rhythms and cultural charm. This fusion of tradition and modernity, organisers note, has not only enriched the night‑time tourism offerings but also satisfied a wide range of holidaymakers' preferences.

Another tourist, Hao Lu, said that every step here reveals a new scene, and the light shows are simply breathtaking. In his words, it feels as if you are travelling through time and space.

Over the five days of the holiday, the scenic area welcomed an average of more than 100,000 tourists per day. This provided steady sales growth for surrounding restaurants, boutique hotels, and sellers of cultural and creative goods.