Major Traditional Chinese Festivals and Related Customs

China has a rich traditional festival culture, and each festival carries unique historical backgrounds, folk activities, and symbolic meanings. Below are traditions related to China’s most important festivals along with travel experience suggestions:

1. Spring Festival (The first day of the lunar calendar)

• Time: Lunar New Year, between late January and mid-February in the Gregorian calendar.
• Traditions and Customs:
• Spring Couplets and Fu Character: Red couplets and inverted "Fu" character symbolize good fortune.
• New Year's Eve Dinner: Families gather for a sumptuous dinner; common dishes include dumplings (in the North), rice cakes (in the South), and fish (symbolizing "abundance every year").
• Red Envelopes (Lucky Money): Elders give red envelopes containing money to younger generations, symbolizing protection and blessings.
• Dragon and Lion Dances and Temple Fairs: Street performances and market activities create a festive atmosphere.
• Travel Suggestions:
• Recommended Cities: Beijing (Ditan Temple Fair), Xi'an (City Wall Lantern Show), Guangzhou (Flower Market).
• Precautions: Transportation becomes busy before and after the Spring Festival; it is recommended to book flights and hotels 3 months in advance.

2. Lantern Festival (Fifteenth day of the first lunar month)

• Time: The fifteenth day after the Spring Festival.
• Traditions and Customs:
• Lantern Viewing: Parks and ancient towns display various lanterns, such as the Qinhuai Lantern Show in Nanjing and the Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Show.
• Eating Yuanxiao/Tangyuan: Made from glutinous rice, these round snacks symbolize reunion; Northern regions prefer sweet fillings while Southern regions offer both sweet and savory options.
• Riddle Guessing: Riddles are attached to lanterns, and those who guess correctly receive small gifts.
• Travel Suggestions:
• Best Nighttime Locations: Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, Jinli Ancient Street in Chengdu.
• Experience Methods: Participate in local community events and try making lanterns by hand.

3. Qingming Festival (April 4th-6th in the Gregorian calendar)

• Time: The 15th day after the Spring Equinox, combining natural seasonal changes with ancestral worship.
• Traditions and Customs:
• Tomb Sweeping and Ancestral Worship: Families clean their ancestors' graves and offer flowers and food.
• Spring Outings: This time of year is perfect for outdoor activities like kite flying and picnics.
• Eating Qingtuan: Green glutinous rice balls made with mugwort juice, often filled with red bean paste or salted egg yolk.
• Travel Suggestions:
• Recommended Destinations: West Lake in Hangzhou, Suzhou Gardens (to enjoy spring scenery).
• Precautions: Avoid taking photos or making noise at graveyards; respect local customs.

4. Dragon Boat Festival (Fifth day of the fifth lunar month)

• Time: Late May to mid-June in the Gregorian calendar.
• Traditions and Customs:
• Dragon Boat Racing: A water competition held in memory of Qu Yuan, such as on the Miluo River in Hunan and Cheung Chau in Hong Kong.
• Eating Zongzi: Glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, with fillings ranging from sweet (red dates, bean paste) to savory (meat, egg yolk).
• Hanging Mugwort and Wearing Sachets: Used to ward off evil spirits, sachets contain medicinal herbs.
• Travel Suggestions:
• Best Experience Locations: Jiaxing (the "hometown of Zongzi"), Guilin (Li River Dragon Boat Race).
• Participation Methods: Sign up for dragon boat experiences in advance, and remember sun protection.

5. Mid-Autumn Festival (Fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month)

• Time: September to early October in the Gregorian calendar.
• Traditions and Customs:
• Moon Gazing and Family Dinner: Families gather to admire the moon, with dishes including crabs and osmanthus wine.
• Eating Mooncakes: Round pastries symbolizing reunion, available in flavors like lotus seed paste, five kernels, and molten salted egg yolk.
• Carrying Lanterns: Children play with colorful lanterns, such as the "Tree Mid-Autumn" custom in Guangzhou.
• Travel Suggestions:
• Best Moon-Gazing Locations: West Lake in Hangzhou, Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, Summer Palace in Beijing.
• Special Experiences: Join mooncake-making workshops or choose hotel-themed moon-viewing dinners.

6. Double Ninth Festival (Ninth day of the ninth lunar month)

• Time: Around October in the Gregorian calendar.
• Traditions and Customs:
• Mountain Climbing for Blessings: Climbing mountains signifies avoiding disasters, such as Xiangshan Mountain in Beijing and Mount Hua in Xi'an.
• Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine: Chrysanthemums symbolize longevity, often mixed with wolfberries.
• Respect for the Elderly Activities: Communities organize gift-giving events for the elderly.
• Travel Suggestions:
• Recommended Locations: Huangshan Mountain (autumn scenery), Longji Rice Terraces in Guangxi (golden autumn rice fields).
• Precautions: Temperatures can vary greatly in mountainous areas, so bring warm clothing.

Other Ethnic Minority Special Festivals (Not Nationwide but Worth Experiencing)

1. Dai Water Splashing Festival (Mid-April, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan): Throwing water on others to wish for blessings.
2. Tibetan Shoton Festival (Late June in the Tibetan calendar, Lhasa): Buddha-unfolding ceremonies and Tibetan opera performances.
3. Mongolian Naadam Festival (Summer, Inner Mongolia): Competitions in horse racing, wrestling, and archery.

General Travel Tips

• Transportation During Holidays: High-speed train tickets should be booked 30 days in advance through the "12306" App, and airfare prices may increase by more than 50%.
• Accommodation Choices: In popular cities, consider booking chain hotels (such as Huazhu, Jinjiang Group) or homestays (via Ctrip, Airbnb).
• Cultural Respect: When participating in folk activities, follow on-site instructions and avoid touching religious objects.