Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival 2012 will take place on September 30China's Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunisolar month (see Mid-Autumn Festival Dates), which is in September or October. The festival is the second most important festival after the Spring Festival to Chinese people. Every year, when the festival comes people go home from every corner of the country and the world to meet their family and have dinner with them.
Celebration of the Mid-Autumn festival has a history of over 3,000 years, dating back to the moon worship in ancient times. Read more on history and origin of Mid-Autumn Festival
The festival is celebrated extensively across the country, and is one of the few reunion holidays for Chinese families. On that day, Chinese family members stay together, admiring the full moon and eating mooncakes.
History and Culture
The Mid-Autumn Festival dates back over 3,000 years, to moon worshipping in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC). However, not until the early Tang Dynasty (618–907) was the day officially celebrated as a traditional festival. It then became an established festival during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).
For more details see Mid-Autumn Festival History.
Customs and Celebrations
The Mid-Autumn Festival has a history of 1,000 years. During these 1,000 years lots of Mid-Autumn traditions have been thought up by Chinese people. All the celebrations show the happiness and excitement of people.
For more details see Mid-Autumn Festival customs
Mid-Autumn Festival Travel
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a family celebration and usually many outdoor activities are arranged especially for the event. On the evening of a Mid-Autumn Festival, families stay up late and get together eating moon cakes and gazing at the moon. If you want to take part, invite a few friends and check out places to celebrate the festival in the following cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, to celebrate the festival. China Highlights' Mid-Autumn Festival tours allow you to have an authentic Chinese festival as the Chinese people do. Watch China Highlights Video on how to make a moocake?
Places to Celebrate the Festival in Beijing
1. Lugou Bridge
Temple fairs are held at Wanping Town east of Lugou Bridge each year to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
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2. Beihai Park
Beihai Park was chosen by generations of Chinese emperors and high officials to watch the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival
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3. Dajue Temple
During the Mid-Autumn Festival visitors can enjoy themselves with good food and sweet tea in Dajue Temple under the full moon.
4. Yangtaishan
Yangtaishan is well-known for its full moon during Mid-Autumn Festival evening. Friends and family can walk along the trees-lined path and enjoy the fresh air.
More top places in Beijing to celebrate the Festival
Places to Celebrate the Festival in Shanghai
1. Oriental Pearl TV Tower
The tower is 468 m high, the highest in Asia and the third highest in the world. On almost any level above the base of the tower, one can get a fabulous view of the city as it stretches out toward the horizon.
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2. The Bund
The Bund is probably the most popular place to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, partly due to its relatively tranquil atmosphere, and partly due to the many restaurants and tea houses along it.
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3. Sheshan
Locals like to enjoy a fun day time at Happy Valley, stay at the Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, and watch the moon at the lakeside at night. In addition, there is an observatory at the top of the mountain for astronomy lovers to have a closer and clearer look at the moon.
4. Zhujiajiao
The town is lit by lanterns hanging by old houses on Mid-Autumn Festival nights. Spend a quiet Mid-Autumn Festival by sipping tea at one of the small riverside tea houses with family or friends.
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More top places in Shanghai to celebrate the festival
Places to Celebrate the Festival in Hong kong
1. Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is the highest peak on Hong Kong Island with an altitude of 554 meter. On festival night, viewed from the peak, the island becomes a fairyland with the spectacular lights of its immense towers setting a stage for the rising moon.
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2. Avenue of Stars
Avenue of Stars is a good alternative, if you do not want to ascend Victoria Peak. It is a wonderful place to view the night scenery of Hong Kong Island.
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3. Repulse Bay
It is considered as one of the most romantic places in Hong Kong by young people because of the young Chinese writer, Zhang Ailing (Eileen Chang).
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4. Lantau Island
Lantau Island is a sparsely populated island of mainly theme parks, tourist sites, parks and natural areas. It has become a refreshing destination for local Hong Kongers who come here for a weekend's rest.
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More top places in Hong Kong to celebrate the festival
Places to Celebrate the Festival in Shenzhen
1. Lotus Flower Mountain Park
It is the most popular place for the locals to get together with family to wait and watch for the rising moon. On Mid-Autumn Festival night, Kite Square (an open lawn in the park) sees groups of families and friends enjoying their evening..
2. Garden Expo Park
This free park is very popular among locals thanks to its refreshing and beautiful environment of typical gardens with lush trees and flowers.
3. Central Park
Transformed from an 800-meter-long green belt, the park is one of the few open green lands in downtown Shenzhen. Two artificial lakes were added to enhance and create harmonious beauty.
4. Honghu Park
Large parts of Honghu Park are covered by water. Hence local Shenzheners like to go to the park to see lotus flowers and enjoy various water activities in summer.
More top places in Shenzhen to celebrate the festival
