Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival to take place during May Day holiday

The 13th Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival is set to be held from May 1 to 5 at Nansha Tianhou Palace in Guangzhou's Nansha district. [Photo/gznsnews.com.cn]

The 13th Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival is set to be held from May 1 to 5 at Nansha Tianhou Palace in Guangzhou's Nansha district, with May 4 marking the 1,061st anniversary of Mazu's birth.

The Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival is a large traditional cultural tourism event in Nansha and an annual cultural tourism feast. The festival used to last for three days, but this year's event will be extended to last for five days. 

A chance to experience the tribute ceremony to Mazu is available at Nansha Tianhou Palace. This ceremony was listed among China's first batch of intangible cultural heritages. It is performed every year during Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival.

The whole ceremony lasts for 20 minutes, and contains procedures such as tolling the bell for blessing, beating the drums, reading the prayer and presenting tributes, namely flowers, fresh fruit and birthday noodles.

Visitors can also climb mountains, enjoy the charm of the sea and taking the little trains at Nansha Tianhou Palace, in addition to getting a close look at the intangible cultural heritage.  

Stone inscriptions of poems can also be viewed near the Nansha Tianhou Palace square. 

Stone inscriptions of poems near the square of Nansha Tianhou Palace. [Photo/gznsnews.com.cn]