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As May approaches, consider an exciting new option for your visit to China, especially if you are attending the Canton Fair: experience a grand drama, exquisite cuisine, and rich Lingnan culture of Guangdong.

On May 3 and 4, the original Chinese opera "Marco Polo" will be staged at the Guangzhou Opera House, coinciding with the 700th anniversary of this legendary Italian traveler's passing.

Born in 1254 to a wealthy Venetian merchant family, Marco Polo embarked on a journey to the East with his father and uncle in 1271. After four years, he reached the Yuan Dynasty's capital in China, where he served the court and gained the favor of the Emperor. His travelogue profoundly influenced the Western perspective of Asia, with British poet John Edward Masefield noting that "he created Asia for the European."

By performing the adventure that Marco Polo, his father Niccolò Polo, and his uncle Maffeo Polo experienced along the ancient Silk Road in the 13th century, this opera recreates the rise and fall of the Song and Yuan dynasties as well as the communication and trade between the East and the West.

The opera premiered in Guangzhou in 2018 and was directed by Kasper Holten, winning four stars from Financial Times' critics and ranking as one of the "Top Ten Music Trends/Events in China, 2018" by Musical America. In 2019, it returned "home" and was staged at Teatro dal Verme in Milan and Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. "Conspiracy, war, the tragedy of love, especially the multimedia design of Luke Halls and the costume design of Emma Ryott are even more amazing. Such a big hand is rare on the opera stage," Genoa24 remarked.

This year, the upcoming version of "Marco Polo" will feature a star-studded cast, including singers like Wang Kai, German composer Enjott Schneider, British video designer Luke Halls, lighting designer Bruno Poet, costume designer Emma Ryott, as well as the Macao Orchestra. With its epic-like setup, portrayal of patriotic historical figures, intricate conflict, poignant heroic elegy, and soul-stirring love and hatred, Guangzhou audiences will enjoy the charm of the old legend and the cultural value and humanistic of the Silk Road.

Ticket giveaways

GDToday will hold a salon during the May Day holiday and has prepared 60 tickets to "Marco Polo" (19:30, May 3 and 4). If you are interested, fill out the questionnaire above to win free tickets!

Travel tips for Guangdong

As one of the starting points of the Maritime Silk Road and a window for Sino-Western exchanges, Guangdong has a rich tapestry of attractions. The bustling metropolis Guangzhou, host of the Canton Fair, boasts dim sum and other Cantonese cuisines; Shenzhen, known as China's Silicon Valley, offers you integrated experiences of eco-adventure and leisure vacation in OCT East; in Zhuhai, gateway to the islands, you can have a blast at the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, one of the largest ocean theme parks in the world.

Meanwhile, you can also embark on an adventure in the Nanling Grand Canyon in Shaoguan in northern Guangdong, explore the beautiful coastlines of Jiangmen, Maoming, and Zhanjiang, or visit Shantou, the home of Yingge dance, to experience this local art form and savor Chaoshan cuisine.

All these sites are accessible by high-speed rail. Within just one hour, you can travel from Guangzhou to Shaoguan in the north, or in two and a half hours, reach Zhanjiang in the southernmost part of the province.

Come and delve into the rich Lingnan cultural heritage in Guangdong. We look forward to your arrival.