Chinese Festivals

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China has one of the longest established cultural heritages on Earth. The first recorded dynasty of what was to eventually become present day China began its reign in 2852 BC (4862 years ago). In this time a vast set of rituals, customs and artifacts has been generated. One of the most visible displays of this more or less unrivalled history is the remaining traditional festivals of China. Below you can read more about the most celebrated ones.

The Spring Festival (or Chinese New Years)

The most important festival in China is the Spring Festival. Just as in west the festival symbolizes a farewell to the old year and welcoming of the next, and just as in most western countries it celebrated with a massive firework display.

Yuanxiao Festival (The Lantern Festival)

It occurs on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month. The Yuanxiao Festival marks the end of the New Year celebrations. And after the Yuanxiao Festival, everything returns to normal and it is therefore a chance for one last big celebration of the new year.

The Qingming Festival

Qingming, literally meaning “clear” (Qing) and “bright” (Ming). It falls in early April every year, on the 106th day after the winter solstice. Qingming is a time to remember the dead, a period to honor and to pay respect to one’s deceased ancestors and family members.

The Dragon Boat Festival

The Duanwu Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s celebrated in honor of Qu Yuan, a great poet born in 340BC, but he is remembered every year for his love of and loyalty to his country and his people. For thousands of years, Duanwu has been marked by eating Zongzi and racing dragon boats.

The Mid-Autumn Festival

One of the most important Chinese festivals is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Chinese ancestors believed that the seventh, eighth, and ninth lunar months belong to autumn. So the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.

The Double Ninth Festival

The “Chong Yang Festival” is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and it is as such known as the Double Ninth Festival. The festival began as early as the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy that forms a basis to the Chinese traditional world view, yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence the name “Chong Yang Festival”(Chong means “repeat” in Chinese).

National Day

October 1 was officially designated as China’s National Day by the government in 1949 aiming at celebrating the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. To some extent, it has become one of the most important festivals in China.

China's Two Calendars

China follows two calendars, the so called "Lunar Calendar" and the Gregorian Calendar (which is used by the worlds western countries). The two calendars are not perfectly aligned so every year the traditional festivals occur on different dates in the Gregorian Calendar.

In 2010

Spring Festival: February 14
Lantern Festival: February 28
Qing Ming Festival: April 5
Dragon Boat Festival: June 16
Middle Autumn Festival: September 22
National Day: October 1
Double Ninth Festival: October 16

In 2011

Spring Festival: February 3
Lantern Festival: February 17
Qing Ming Festival: April 5
Dragon Boat Festival: June 6
Middle Autumn Festival: September 12
National Day: October 1
Double Ninth Festival: October 5

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