Haizhu flower fair, one of the 11 traditional flower fairs in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [File photo]

Filled with flowers year-round thanks to its subtropical climate, it's no wonder Guangzhou is often nicknamed "Flower City".

And to Cantonese people, flowers are an integral part of Spring Festival, where flower fairs are the city's unique way representing the beginning of Chinese New Year. The tradition of Spring Festival flower fairs in Guangzhou are said to date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) or even earlier.

There are 11 traditional flower fairs in the city, spread across 11 districts, and the first fair this year began in Huadu district on Jan 18, and will last until Jan 27. Other fairs, as well as a series of activities featuring flower displays and folk arts will open to the public in the next few days.

Light and lantern shows, another Spring Festival staple, will be begin in the city's new central axis area from Jan 24 to Feb 11 from 7 pm to 10:30 pm every day. The best viewing area will be from Huacheng Square near the Canton Tower, and the Pearl River areas. With light, music and laser effects, visitors can marvel at the beauty, prosperity and advancement of Guangzhou.

There are three types of flowers which have particularly auspicious and symbolic meanings in Guangzhou. These are must buys during Spring Festival, they are -- kumquat, peach blossom and narcissus. With a wide array of flowers and plants from home and abroad purchased at the market, residents can decorate their home as a traditional way to greet the lunar New Year.

The flower fairs in Yuexiu, Liwan, Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun, Huangpu districts will open on Jan 25 for three days until Jan 28. The opening hours will be 8:30 am to 12 pm on Jan 25 and 26, and the fairs will lengthen their opening hours from 8:30 am on Jan 27 to 2 am on Jan 28. The flower fairs in Fanyu, Nansha, Conghua districts will be open on Jan 22 and last six days. The opening hours will be from 8:30 am to 12 am every day.

Zengcheng district will open its seven-day flower fair from Jan 21 to Jan 27, 8:30 am to 24 pm every day. The earliest flower fair opened in Huadu district on Jan 18 and will last 10 days until Jan 27, opening from 8:30 am to 12 am every day.