2025 Chaoshan Yingge Carnival Complete Guide! Thousands of Dancers Compete in Dance Battles to Kick Off the Year

The recently announced 2025 Chaoyang Yingge Carnival is undoubtedly the most must-attend intangible cultural heritage feast to start the year! As the largest Yingge performance event in the country, 18 teams with over 1,200 dancers will perform on the same stage, featuring a full lineup from adorable kids to overseas Chaoshan natives. This opening event checklist helps you unlock all the highlights precisely.

🔥 Core Highlights of the Opening: Why You Must Attend This Carnival?

• Scale Ceiling: The largest number of performers in any Yingge event nationwide, featuring the most complete "Shiqian" actors and the richest variety of styles, including slow, medium, and fast tempos all in one place.

• Adorable Kids Stealing the Show: Two teams of five- and six-year-old kids form the toddler Yingge teams to open the event, with 5-year-old "Shiqian" Huang Kexin performing aerial flips, creating a striking contrast.

• International Presence: Representatives from 10 overseas Chaoshan communities including Australia and Canada join the parade, showcasing a grand cross-border intangible cultural heritage collaboration.

• Immersive Interaction: 48 lively lion dancers kick off the event, Yingge teams paired with flower basket girls parade along the main road, and three fixed-point performances allow close-up viewing of amazing skills.

📅 Opening Schedule: Don’t Miss These Key Sessions

The main event is on February 2nd (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year), but warm-up performances start from mid-January. Key sessions are:

1. Warm-up Shows: From January 25th to February 1st every afternoon, the Koumei Yingge team at Chaoshan Style Cultural Theme Garden and the Haimen Yingge team at Lianhuafeng Scenic Area will give you a taste.

2. Opening Ceremony: February 2nd at 9:00 AM, 18 teams gather at Wenguang Tower Square, with 38 "Shiqian" dancers competing on stage in a spectacular showdown.

3. Parade: After the opening ceremony, the parade moves along Wenguang Tower Square → Zhonghua Road → Dongshan Avenue, with fixed-point performances continuing until noon.

4. Additional Shows: February 3rd-4th, Fenggang Yingge team and Houxi Women’s Yingge team perform special shows in Chengnan and Mianbei streets.

📍 Viewing Tips: Local Insider Check-in Tricks

• Best Spots: Front row at Wenguang Tower Square (perfect for panoramic views of the opening ceremony), under the arcade on Zhonghua Road (great for capturing parade photos and sheltering from rain), and Pocket Park at Dongshan Avenue (fixed-point performance interaction zone).

• Avoid Pitfalls: Don’t just go to crowded commercial streets; performances in towns and counties are more complete. Arrive 1-2 hours early to secure a good spot and avoid obstructive utility poles.

• Photography Tips: Set shutter speed above 1/500 second to prevent blur, focus on capturing facial makeup details, Yingge stick movements, and dynamic "Shiqian" flips.

🚗 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary: Experience Yingge and Chaoshan Flavors All at Once

Day 1: Arrive in Chaoshan · Dive into Local Life

• Morning: Arrive in Shantou, check into a hotel in Longhu District (close to the high-speed rail station for convenience), then head straight to Baheli Haiji for beef hotpot (about 60 RMB per person to enjoy tender beef).

• Afternoon: Stroll through Shantou Xiaogongyuan arcade, check in at Zhongshan Pavilion, and in the evening take the 1 RMB ferry at the square to chase the sea sunset.

• Evening: Explore Longyannan Road snack street, try oyster omelet and licorice fruit, paired with a cup of Phoenix Dancong tea to refresh.

Day 2: Yingge Feast · Immersive Celebration

• Morning: Arrive before 8 AM at Wenguang Tower Square to secure a spot, watch the opening ceremony featuring kids’ Yingge and lion dance, and follow the parade until noon.

• Noon: Eat local Chaoshan snacks like pig intestine stuffed with glutinous rice and rice cakes in Miancheng.

• Afternoon: Visit the Chaoshan Museum to see the Yingge cultural exhibition and learn about intangible heritage history; head to Chaozhou before evening and stay near Paifang Street.

• Evening: Walk Paifang Street, try Hu Rongquan’s duck meatballs, and watch the Guangji Bridge light show.

Day 3: Ancient City Stroll · Souvenir Shopping and Departure

• Morning: Visit Kaiyuan Temple (dress neatly and don’t touch artifacts) or explore Longhu Ancient Village to see traditional Chaoshan architecture.

• Noon: Finish with Guantang Brothers beef hotpot to savor the essence of Chaoshan beef.

• Afternoon: Buy Phoenix Dancong tea and handmade beef balls as souvenirs, then conclude your trip.

💡 Essential Reminders: These Details Make the Experience

• Accommodation: During the Spring Festival peak season, expect 200-400 RMB per night per person; book at least two weeks in advance. Chaoyang city center is closer to the performance venues than Shantou city center.

• Transportation: Drive or take intercity buses among the three Chaoshan cities; within Chaoyang District, riding motorcycle taxis is more flexible (remember to bargain).

• Etiquette: Don’t interrupt performers or touch Yingge props; ask for permission before taking photos; keep quiet in temple areas.

This 2025 Yingge feast to start the year is a perfect blend of intangible cultural heritage and festive atmosphere. Follow this guide to fully appreciate the passion of thousands of dancers and savor the authentic Chaoshan spirit. Keep this guide handy and meet in Chaoyang on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year to bring home the richest festive vibes!