A Fun Mix of Chinese Flair & Spooky Fun

I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect to have this much fun celebrating Halloween in China… until I spent a night at Tianjin Happy Valley. It’s not just the usual Western Halloween vibes (though there are plenty of pumpkins and costumes!); this park mixes spooky fun with unique Chinese touches that make it feel fresh and exciting.

1. The Spooky (and Super Cool) Themed Zones

Tianjin Happy Valley goes all out for Halloween—there are 5+ themed areas, each with its own vibe, but the best part? The Chinese-style haunted spots that you won’t find anywhere else.

• My favorite was the “Ancient Town Ghost House”: Instead of vampires or werewolves, the “ghosts” here wear traditional Hanfu (Chinese ancient clothing)—think “female ghosts in red dresses” (a classic Chinese horror trope) and “scholars with paper umbrellas” wandering through old wooden buildings. The lighting is dim, with lanterns swinging from the ceilings, and the sound of traditional instruments (like the erhu) in the background—it’s spooky, but also so unique.
• There’s also a “Pumpkin Forest” near the entrance: Thousands of glowing pumpkins line the path, some carved with Chinese patterns (like dragons or lotus flowers) instead of just faces. It’s perfect for photos—just wait until sunset, when the pumpkins light up and the whole area feels magical.

2. Parades &

Interaction

Everyone’s Invited!

The highlight of the night is the Halloween Parade (starts at 7 PM every day in late October). The floats are a mix of West and East: You’ll see a float with a Western witch flying on a broom, right next to one with a “Chinese Zombie” (jiangshi) hopping along (a funny, not-too-scary take on the classic monster).

And don’t worry if you didn’t bring a costume—you can join in too! Staff hand out free pumpkin hats or small glow sticks to anyone who waves, and kids (and adults!) love yelling “不给糖就捣蛋！” (Bù gěi táng jiù dǎdàn—“Trick or treat!” in Chinese) to performers. Most of the staff will laugh and give you a candy bar or a small toy—it’s all super friendly, no scary jump scares unless you ask for them!

By the end of the night, I had a pocket full of candy, dozens of photos, and a new favorite way to celebrate Halloween. It’s not just about scares—it’s about having fun, mixing cultures, and seeing how China puts its own twist on a Western holiday.