Cities and towns in east China's Jiangsu and Shandong Province are putting on dazzling light and lantern shows, staging distinctive folk customs performances and holding festive banquets with local characteristics to celebrate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Tuesday.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar and dates back more than a millennium. As a festival in honor of the moon and harvest, families reunite on the occasion to admire the bright full moon, light lanterns, and share the holiday pastry of mooncakes.
As it is a longstanding custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival to admire the full moon and pray for a happy reunion, a moon worship ceremony was held in Yangzhou City of Jiangsu Province, under the guidance of a representative successor to the local "moon worship ceremony" which was included into the list of intangible cultural heritage items of Jiangsu Province in 2016.
At the ceremony, the worshipers extended their good wishes through a series of traditional rituals such as burning incense, performing libation and reading out their wishes.
"During the Mid-Autumn Festival, every family in Yangzhou would place a small square table in the courtyard or in front of their door, set out some offerings on it, and worship the moon," said Xia Meizhen, the representative successor.
In addition to the worship ceremony, various other folk activities are held, allowing visitors to make mooncakes and guess lantern riddles.
"I think such activities are very meaningful, allowing us to experience the charm of traditional culture. I look forward to participating in them more often in the future," said Wu Zhuoyan, a tourist.
In Qingdao City of Shandong Province, a grand thematic light show marking the festival illuminated the night sky, captivating spectators with vibrant displays that showcase Chinese moon worshiping culture.
The local cultural tourism authorities have also launched a cruise route for tourists to appreciate the moon and the light show.
"It's my first time taking this sightseeing boat to enjoy the moon. The scenery is very beautiful and charming, giving me a feeling of romance," said a tourist surnamed Duan.
At a scenic spot in the city, staff members dressed in Hanfu, the traditional clothing of China's Han ethnic majority group, to celebrate the festival in a traditional way.
"Wearing Hanfu to participate in the activity gives a sense of involvement and helps us feel the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival," said Ji Fan, a tourist.
Cultural events held in Chinese cities to mark traditional Mid-Autumn Festival
