A host of dazzling activities are delighting locals and visitors across China as celebrations get in full swing for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Tuesday this year.
The festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. With a history dating back more than a millennium, it is a cherished occasion for family reunions across China, with revelers eating mooncakes, appreciating the full moon and lighting lanterns.
Much of the festival is centered around paying homage to the moon and that is very much the case in the east China metropolis of Shanghai, where it has become popular to gather around lakes or along rivers where the moon's reflection can be seen shimmering in the water.
During this year's festive period, Shanghai's Yuyuan Gardens, one of the city's most famous scenic spots, has created 12 moon-themed installations, drawing inspiration from the mythological stories from one of China's oldest and most treasured literary works, 'The Classic of Mountains and Seas', which dates back more than 2,200 years.
"I like this full moon the most because it symbolizes completeness and harmony," said young visitor Yao Youchen as she highlighted her favorite among the giant lanterns on display.
Many others across China have been taking advantage of the chance to head out and explore various sights and scenery during the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday that started on Sunday.
Among of the most eye-catching attractions is a stunning molten iron flower fireworks show which is lighting up the night sky in Jingzhou of central China's Hubei Province.
As one of China's national intangible cultural heritages, the molten iron flower fireworks show features scrap iron being melted to 1,600 degrees Celsius and then thrown against a cold wall to create a dramatic firework effect.
The seemingly dangerous yet dazzling performance is deemed a must-see highlight for anyone flocking to the area.
"I find watching the iron flower firework show to be very stirring," said Lu Qing, one of the impressed tourists.
Visitors to Jingzhou can also enjoy a series of lantern parades, with decorated floats in a multitude of different designs illuminating the city with colorful lights and adding to the vibrant festive atmosphere.
Night skies lit up by lanterns, molten iron flower fireworks to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
Night skies lit up by lanterns, molten iron flower fireworks to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
Various celebrations are being staged across China in anticipation of the fast-approaching New Year's Day and the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, boosting the market for related goods as more revelers get into the festive spirit.
In Beijing, more than 1,000 lanterns themed around fashion and technology are offering a colorful display in the city's Wenyuhe Park, making it one of the largest lantern festivals in the city this year.
In Shanghai, business districts have launched a series of themed decorations, exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities. Local authorities have also distributed consumption coupons, further stimulating consumer spending during the New Year's Day holiday, which falls on Wednesday.
In the nearby city of Hangzhou in the eastern Zhejiang Province, several promotional activities have been introduced to boost consumption. Additionally, business areas and shopping streets have been upgraded to meet the consumer demand for high-quality goods.
Special Spring Festival fairs have also been set up across the country as Chinese people gear up for their largest annual celebration around the Chinese New Year, which lands at the end of January in 2025.
In Huaiyuan County of east China's Anhui Province, a local fair is attracting visitors with a variety of well-known agricultural products. In Zhangzhou City of the coastal Fujian Province, a one-stop feature fair allows both visitors and locals to purchase a wide range of items.
Meanwhile, in northeast China's Jilin Province, local authorities in the city of Ji'an have sought to take advantage of the snowy conditions by integrating winter sports, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a range of snow and ice activities while shopping for Spring Festival goods.
Additionally, flowers are in high demand at many marketplaces across China as more people look to prepare some floral decorations as part of the celebrations.
In Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province, a special flower street featuring Chinese New Year flowers has been set up, where over 15,000 flowers are available, including more than 120 varieties of orchids.
Local flower markets area also in full bloom in various other places, from the northern cities of Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan to Hetian in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, all offering a wide variety of creative and unique flowers, which have been well received by residents.
New Year celebrations help boost market for festive goods
