In Shawan Ancient Town in Guangzhou, southern China, a lively series of folk events celebrated the local Aoyu fish through street processions and hands-on activities. A roaming parade wound through the old streets, where visitors queued to join the dance, take photos with the creature, and watch the costumed team interact with residents.

Ao Yu is a legendary guardian that blends a dragon’s dignity with a fish’s agility and symbolizes good fortune and rising success. The parade’s playful pageantry echoes this symbolism, with people hoping for an auspicious snapshot or a lucky moment as the creature passes by.

Beyond the dynamic procession, the program also offers workshops and scavenger hunts: tourists can make their own Ao Yu figures, search historic buildings for carved Ao Yu motifs, and learn traditional dance techniques from master craftsmen. The festival transforms Shawan into an immersive stage for living folk art and communal celebration.