The Mid-Autumn Festival is filled with mooncakes and legends—but behind its glowing lanterns lie centuries of stories about love, rebellion, poetry, and immortality. From the moon goddess Chang’e to the Jade Rabbit pounding herbs for the elixir of life, here are seven fascinating tales that reveal the cultural heart of this beloved festival.
Spring in China offers more than just blossoms—it's a season of beauty, renewal, and celebration. At Beijing’s 36th Cherry Blossom Festival, visitors are treated to breathtaking flower displays, vibrant cultural shows, and unforgettable experiences under the petals. From aerial dances to Hanfu strolls, spring comes alive in color and tradition.
The Year of the Snake 2025 brings a time of transformation, wisdom, and strategic growth. Influenced by the Yin-Wood element, this year encourages self-improvement, adaptability, and long-term planning. Discover the symbolism, cultural significance, and how to harness the energy of the Wood Snake for success in the year ahead.
Discover how Christmas is celebrated in China, a unique blend of global influences and local traditions. From dazzling urban displays and the exchange of festive apples to meaningful religious services and winter tourism hotspots, explore the evolving significance of this holiday across the country.
Chinese National Day, observed on October 1st, is one of the most significant holidays in China, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. It’s not just a day of national pride but also the beginning of the Golden Week, a seven-day public holiday that gives people across the country a chance to celebrate, travel, and engage in various festivities.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of China’s most important and widely celebrated holidays. Held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar (usually in September or early October), the festival marks the full harvest moon and serves as a time for family reunions, thanksgiving, and celebrating the beauty of the moon. This year, it falls on September 17, 2024. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the Spirit Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival held on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month, this year falling on August 18th, 2024. This festival, deeply rooted in Chinese culture and religious beliefs, is dedicated to honoring and appeasing the spirits of deceased ancestors and wandering ghosts.
Step aside Shakespeare! Did you know the original tale of "star-crossed lovers" dates back over 2,000 years? In the case of Niulang and Zhinu, their love is thwarted by the celestial order. They are only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, symbolizing their eternal, yet tragic, separation. Thus we celebrate their love on this day with the Qixi Festival, often referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day, this year falling on August 10, 2024.
The Dragon Boat Festival, known as Duanwu Festival (端午节) in Chinese, is a traditional holiday celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. This festival, rich in cultural heritage and history, is observed with a variety of customs and activities that reflect China's deep-rooted traditions and community spirit. The festival commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan and is marked by dragon boat races, the eating of zongzi (rice dumplings), and other festivities.
In China, May 1st marks a special day on the calendar – Chinese Labor Day, also known as International Workers' Day or May Day. It's a time to honor the invaluable contributions of workers to society and to advocate for their rights. In combination with Golden Week, the holiday runs from May 1st to May 7th.