Where to go for National Day? Mission Hills adds a Dragon & Lion Carnival this year
During the 2026 National Day Golden Week (Oct 1–7), besides downtown malls and theme parks, Mission Hills in Longhua, Shenzhen is also rolling out a series of National Day holiday activities. According to the organisers, the 2nd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Dragon & Lion Culture Carnival will be held on Oct 1–2 at the Main Atrium of Mission Hills New Town; the dragon-and-lion themed cultural market runs from Sep 25 to Oct 7. There is also a National Day-themed craft workshop study camp, a youth tennis tournament and more, with events running until Oct 18 — a great suburban day-trip option this National Day for both adults and kids.
This article rounds up the Mission Hills National Day event schedule, plus things to do around Mission Hills New Town, Hard Rock Hotel and the Eco Sports Park, along with metro transport, so you can plan a National Day itinerary without the crowds.
Mission Hills itself is a large resort area in Longhua, Shenzhen, centred on its golf courses, with a mall (MH Mall), hotel (Hard Rock Hotel), craft workshop and eco sports park developed around it, covering over 10 million square metres. Compared with malls in Luohu and Futian city centre, it is less crowded and greener — ideal for families who want to avoid the crush and enjoy a slow day. It is directly reachable from Futian Port via Metro Line 4, about 40–50 minutes, so a same-day return trip is more than doable.
1. 2026 Mission Hills National Day Events at a Glance
| Event | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Dragon & Lion Culture Carnival | Oct 1–2 | Main Atrium, Mission Hills New Town |
| Dragon & Lion Themed Cultural Market | Sep 25–Oct 7 | South Atrium, Mission Hills New Town |
| “YI Qi Pin Ge Qi” Fu Shiqi Themed Perler Bead Event, Fifteen Days in Two Capitals Drama Promotion | Oct 5–7 | Main Atrium, Mission Hills New Town |
| Craft Workshop National Day Themed Study Camp (3-day camp / 5-day camp) | Oct 1–6 | Mission Hills Craft Workshop |
| Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Tennis Elite Tournament | Oct 17–18 | Mission Hills Eco Sports Commune |
The Dragon & Lion Culture Carnival is the highlight this year: traditional lion dances, dragon dance parades and drum performances, plus photo ops with the dragon and lion — perfect for the whole family. The cultural market features dragon-and-lion themed handicrafts, creative knick-knacks and snacks. The Craft Workshop study camp is split into a 3-day camp (Oct 1–3, Oct 4–6) and a 5-day camp (Oct 1–5), suited to parents who want their kids to get hands-on with crafts.
2. Mission Hills New Town: Eat, Shop and Play All in One
Mission Hills New Town MH Mall
Mission Hills New Town is a resort area combining a mall, hotel and dining. MH Mall houses international sports brands, lifestyle goods, restaurants and a cinema, so you can grab a meal right after the events. During National Day the mall is less crowded than downtown malls, making for a more comfortable stroll. Address: Guanlan Subdistrict, Longhua District, Shenzhen (Mission Hills New Town); Transport: Metro Line 4, Mission Hills Station.
Hard Rock Hotel Mission Hills
A rock-music-themed hotel with instruments and celebrity memorabilia throughout the lobby and restaurants. The buffet (Sessions all-day dining restaurant) starts at about ¥200 per person; staying over National Day lets you enjoy the whole resort. Address: 9 Guanlan Golf Avenue, Longhua District, Shenzhen; Transport: Metro Line 4, Mission Hills Station, then hotel shuttle.
Mission Hills Eco Sports Park
An outdoor sports park covering over a million square metres, with cycling paths, lawns and sports facilities. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Tennis Elite Tournament will be held here on Oct 17–18. Autumn is cool, so renting a bike or taking a stroll is very pleasant. Address: Mission Hills Eco Sports Park, Longhua District, Shenzhen.
Mission Hills Craft Workshop
Focused on parent-child craft experiences, the National Day-themed study camp combines handicrafts with cultural guided tours. Kids can try pottery, woodwork or paper-cutting by hand — a favourite among Hong Kong parents. Advance registration is required and places are limited.
3. Transport: Direct on Metro Line 4
- From Futian Port: After clearing customs, take Metro Line 4 (Futian Checkpoint Station) all the way to Mission Hills Station, about 40–50 minutes — the most direct route.
- From Luohu Port: Take Line 1 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, change to Line 4 towards Mission Hills; or take a taxi, about 40 minutes.
- From Shenzhen Bay Port: Take Line 13 into Nanshan and transfer, or call a DiDi straight to Mission Hills (about 50 minutes, depending on traffic).
- Driving / DiDi: Mission Hills has car parks; during National Day, arrive early to avoid hunting for a space.
4. Practical Tips for Visiting Mission Hills
- Avoid the peak: The Dragon & Lion Carnival is concentrated on Oct 1–2. To catch the performances, arrive before 10am; it gets busier afterwards.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The Mission Hills site is large and you will be walking all day — sports shoes are the practical choice.
- Register for crafts: Study camp places are limited and enquiries started early, so remember to sign up via official channels in advance.
- Meal times: Restaurants in the resort are busiest at lunch from 12:30–14:00; eat at 11:30 or after 14:00 to skip the queue.
- Watch the weather: October in Shenzhen is mostly sunny but occasional thunderstorms happen — check the forecast before setting out. The resort has an indoor mall and hotel, so you can still visit when it rains.
- Same-group events in Dongguan: Mission Hills Dongguan also has National Day family activities (Oct 3) and an intangible cultural heritage showcase performance (Oct 1) at the same time — worth noting if you are staying at the hotel.
5. FAQ
Do Mission Hills National Day events require tickets?
The Dragon & Lion Carnival, cultural market and mall activities are generally free to enter. The Craft Workshop study camp and some experience activities require separate registration and payment, subject to the organisers' announcements.
Can I do a same-day return trip from Hong Kong?
Yes. From Futian Port, Metro Line 4 reaches Mission Hills directly in about 40–50 minutes. Arriving at 10am and returning to Hong Kong at 7pm is entirely feasible without feeling rushed.
Where is good to go with kids?
The Dragon & Lion Carnival, cultural market and Craft Workshop study camp are all family-friendly; the Eco Sports Park lets kids burn off energy, and the Hard Rock Hotel buffet is great for a family meal.
Is Mission Hills far from the city centre?
Mission Hills is in Longhua District, about 25–30 km from Luohu and Futian city centres. Metro Line 4 goes there directly in 40–50 minutes — closer than Dapeng or Yantian.
In One Sentence
6. Beyond Mission Hills: Along the Way in Guanlan (Metro Line 4)
Mission Hills is a resort in itself, but the same Metro Line 4 also links several free and distinctive attractions, so you can string them together in one day:
- Guanlan Ancient Market (觀瀾古墟) (Xinlan Community, Guanlan Subdistrict, Longhua District): One of Shenzhen's four great ancient markets, originating in the mid-Qing dynasty with over 260 years of history. It retains 9 watchtowers and over a hundred shops, and is Shenzhen's most complete surviving Hakka-style historic district. About a 9-minute walk from Exit B of Mission Hills Station on Metro Line 4; free, no booking needed. At night there is a light-and-shadow show (usually 19:30 / 20:30 sessions), with projections on the old buildings paired with the famous painting The Starry Night.
- Guanlan Printmaking Village / China Printmaking Museum (觀瀾版畫村／中國版畫博物館) (169 Yuxin Road, Dashuitian, Niuhu Community, Guanlan, Longhua District): One of Shenzhen's top ten Hakka ancient villages, with white walls and grey tiles alongside printmaking workshops, an artists' village and seasonal flower fields. The ancient village is free; the exhibition halls require booking via their official WeChat account, generally 09:00–18:00, closed Mondays. Transport: Metro Line 4 to Niuhu Station, then bus M285 / M312 to “Printmaking Base” stop.
- Aohu Art Village (鰲湖藝術村) (Niuhu Community, Guanlan, Longhua District): A Hakka old village founded in the Qing dynasty, now home to painters' and designers' studios. It retains 5 ancestral halls, 6 watchtowers and over a hundred Hakka terraced houses. About a 13-minute walk from Exit B of Niuhu Station on Metro Line 4; free.
- Mission Hills New Town MH Mall (觀瀾湖新城 MH Mall) (Golf Avenue, Longhua District): Right outside Mission Hills Station on Metro Line 4. The mall is open 10:00–22:00 — come back after the ancient villages for dinner and a movie.
A reminder: Guanlan Ancient Market, Printmaking Village and Aohu Art Village are all in Guanlan Subdistrict and not far from each other — a car-hailing ride linking them is most convenient. Weekends are busy for photos, so go on a weekday for peace and quiet. Opening hours and booking arrangements are subject to each attraction's official announcements.
If you don't want to battle the crowds this National Day, Mission Hills is a great choice: direct on Metro Line 4, with the Dragon & Lion Carnival and market, and eating, shopping and playing all sorted within one resort. Event times and registration details are subject to Mission Hills' latest official announcements.
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