Water wedding show revives traditional romance in Guangdong

Ancient canals, flower boats and traditional wedding rituals turned Gulao Water Town in Heshan City, south China's Guangdong Province into one of the most popular holiday destinations during the past May Day break, as immersive cultural performances attracted waves of visitors from across the country.

At the heart of the festivities was the scenic area's signature wedding performance on water, a creative reinterpretation of the region's traditional marriage customs. Set against the backdrop of the town's winding waterways, the show featured scenes such as bridal boats gliding through the canals and ceremonial wedding rituals.

The performance is part of the scenic area's broader effort to transform traditional folk customs into immersive tourism experiences. By combining cultural heritage with live entertainment, the water wedding has become a major attraction showcasing the charm and cultural depth of the centuries-old water town.

From May 1 to 4, the scenic area recorded nearly 60,000 tourist visits, boosting surrounding restaurant and hotel businesses and contributing to the local holiday economy.