Embark On A Greater Bay Area Journey This Lunar New Year

This Lunar New Year, why not welcome the vibrant Year of the Horse with a rich and immersive celebration of traditional culture? The thoughtfully curated itineraries from Toronto’s Compass Holidays and Vancouver’s Campbell Travel take you through Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Foshan, Jiangmen, and Guangzhou —key cities across the Greater Bay Area. With flights, hotels, and daily programs all arranged for you, you can simply relax and enjoy the festive ambience, authentic cuisine, and cultural heritage that make this journey both memorable and fulfilling. Let’s check out some of the experiences on the itineraries here.

The skyline over Victoria Harbour is truly breathtaking: by day, the mountains, sea, and skyscrapers complement one another; when night falls, the view transforms into a dazzling scene of vibrant lights. To fully experience the lively atmosphere of Lunar New Year, a visit to the Victoria Park Flower Market in Causeway Bay is a must-visit. The colourful festive flowers, the wide variety of snack stalls, and the vendors selling unique decorations and local handicrafts all help rekindle the long-missed joy of the festive season.

Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of Lunar New Year

The highlight of this trip is enjoying the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on the first day of the Lunar New Year, with a spectacular float parade kicking off the festivities. A culinary feast is also a central focus of the journey. Both tour itineraries feature the essence of Cantonese cuisine as their gastronomic theme. From traditional Cantonese dim sum and authentic Guangfu flavours to regional specialties such as Zhongshan’s Shiqi Roast Pigeon and Shunde’s artisanal dishes, allowing travellers to fully savour the delicacy and depth of Lingnan cuisine. As for poon choi, the signature festive dish enjoyed in the walled villages of Hong Kong’s New Territories during celebrations, it has a history of several hundred years and likewise reflects the culinary wisdom of emphasizing freshness and preserving the original flavours of ingredients.

Traditional Cantonese Siu Mei (roast meat) and Dim Sum

Hong Kong’s horse racing culture is world-renowned, and the annual Chinese New Year Raceday on the third day of the lunar New Year is a major citywide highlight. Vancouver’s Campbell Travel will arrange special shuttle buses from the hotel to the Sha Tin Racecourse for the Chinese New Year Raceday on the third day of the Lunar New Year. The Sha Tin Racecourse will also feature festive activities and live performances to elevate the celebratory atmosphere.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Cultural exploration is also the major part of this journey. Along the way, travellers step into historic towns and old streets, from Hong Kong’s vibrant East-meets-West arts and cultural scene, to Zhuhai’s coastal charm, to Zhongshan’s deep historical roots, and the urban character of Foshan and Guangzhou—the architectural styles and human stories of Lingnan unfold one after another. Kat Hing Wai in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, built during the Ming dynasty, is one of Hong Kong’s oldest surviving walled villages and preserves its heritage remarkably well.

Foshan Ancestral Temple, with its grand Ming and Qing architecture and exquisite wood carvings, showcases the pinnacle of Lingnan craftsmanship, while the Kaiping Diaolou—tower houses—tell the century-old story of overseas Chinese through their unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. In the ancient towns, the weathered stone pavements and aged arcades evoke vivid scenes of early Chinese labourers and emigrants.

Canton Tower in Guangzhou

The Hong Kong Palace Museum, with a total floor area of around 30,000 square metres, primarily showcases treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing. Among the more than 900 precious artefacts on display, many are being exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time, and some have never before been shown to the public. The museum also hosts large-scale special exhibitions, such as the current Exhibition on Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums, running until 31 August 2026. Featuring 250 remarkable pieces from seven major Egyptian museums and the Saqqara archaeological site, it is an unmissable journey into the wonders of an ancient civilization.

Hong Kong Palace Museum

Visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s one-stop deals platform for exclusive offers and unforgettable experiences across the city: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/ca/

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong and Discover the Best of the Greater Bay Area

This Spring, let a journey woven with culture, cuisine, and celebration set the tone for a joyful and prosperous year ahead. For detailed tour information and booking arrangements, please contact Compass Holidays in Toronto or Campbell Travel in Vancouver.