A preferred travel destination, Dapeng New District offers a diverse assortment of New Year’s celebrations for visitors and locals, including concerts, running, hiking, sailing competitions, and an intangible cultural heritage week.

The cold wind didn’t dampen participants’ enthusiasm at the 2025 Dapeng Outdoor Sports Carnival. The coastal running competition started at 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day. At about 8:30 a.m., many competitors had already crossed the 10-kilometer finish line at the Dapeng Yacht Club.

The competition’s 10-kilometer route began at the Dapeng Yacht Club, ran along Xindong Road in Nan’ao, and passed through Yangmeikeng before returning to the club. A total of 500 running enthusiasts participated in the event.

Runners revel in the 2025 Dapeng Outdoor Sports Carnival. Courtesy of Nan'ao Subdistrict Office

Liu Fen won the women’s championship with a time of 47 minutes and 5 seconds, while Song Xiren claimed the men’s championship with a time of 37 minutes and 21 seconds. Liu expressed her enjoyment of the route, saying, “The running trails that extend along the blue sea are comfortable. The water empowered me with the strength to pick up my pace.”

Lin Junchen, a 5-year-old participant, finished the run with pride despite feeling exhausted. “I asked my parent to help me register for the event. Many older brothers and sisters cheered for me along the route. The medals look really good — they feature a cute snake wearing a kylin-like hat,” said Lin.

An intangible cultural heritage performance at the finish line of the 2025 Dapeng Outdoor Sports Carnival. Courtesy of Nan'ao Subdistrict Office

Intangible cultural heritage performances were held at the finish line, including a kylin dance, fishing songs, and traditional wedding dances and songs of fishermen. Drummers and gong players performed along both sides of the route.

A hiking event was also held in Dapeng. A total of 100 teams, each consisting of three people, ascended Dayanding. The 19-kilometer hiking route began at the Dapeng Yacht Club, followed Nan’ao Xindong Road, passed through Yangmeikeng and Luzui Ecological Way, and concluded at Dayanding, before returning to the yacht club. The winning team completed the route in 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 30 seconds.

Additionally, an intangible cultural heritage week is being held at Dapeng Fortress. Visitors who missed the shows at the running event can find activities at Dapeng Fortress. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to make rice cakes, a local delicacy, and practice blue dyeing, a traditional technique.

A New Year's concert in Dapeng. Courtesy of iDapeng WeChat account

Singers and art troupes from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area gathered on New Year’s Eve for a concert at Xichong Beach in Nan’ao. The classic Cantonese songs and pop music brought joy to the audience.