Various places across China have celebrated the Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day, with various interesting activities.
The Qixi Festival, originating from a 2,000-year-old legend of two lovers, falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year the festival falls on Aug 10.
In Zhucun Village of south China's Guangdong Province, the traditional customs of Qixi Festival have been kept relatively intact. At this time of the year, villagers often make relevant handcrafts to celebrate the day for lovers.
Art performances and parties were also held, allowing people to feel the romantic vibe of this traditional festival as well as the profoundness of the Chinese traditional culture.
Xihe County of northwest China's Gansu Province organized a series of themed events to comprehensively display the customs of Qixi Festival and the local culture.
Folk culture performances were put on stage at Yiyuan County of east China's Shandong Province to promote modern, new-style and frugal marriage culture.
On this special day, a total of 77 newly-weds tied the knot in Lushi County in central China's Henan Province via a collective wedding.
In Wucheng Town of east China's Jiangxi Province, a hundred couples got married and held a collective traditional wedding ceremony.
Chinese Valentine's Day celebrated with various activities
Giant pandas at the Chongqing Zoo in southwest China celebrated the human beings' Mid-Autumn Festival with a gourmet treat as the furry animals eagerly gathered around to savor a special meal of fresh bamboo shoots made in the style of the festive pastry of mooncakes for human beings.
Fresh bamboo shoots from the Jinfo Mountain in Chongqing, a seasonal delicacy known as "square bamboo shoots," have made their way into the festive menu of the zoo's 23 resident giant pandas.
In one delightful scene, four adorable pandas -- Shuangshuang, Chongchong, Xixi and Qingqing -- gathered around a wooden table, each absorbed in peeling and devouring fresh bamboo shoots.
The giant pandas, with some sitting comfortably on small chairs, others lying leisurely on the ground, were busy peeling the bamboo shoots with ease and munching on the crisp and tender flesh.
In another playful moment, a giant panda waddled with excitement toward a bunch of bamboo shoots laid out on a swing. After reaching its prize, the panda flopped down on the ground, enjoying its treat with satisfaction. Soon, another panda approached, initially sitting on the ground to enjoy the bamboo shoots before climbing onto the swing to continue its feast.
Their fluffy faces, along with their playful behaviors, captivated the visitors.
"The giant pandas look so adorable when they are eating the bamboo shoots," said a visitor.
"These bamboo shoots provide a valuable source of energy and nutrition for giant pandas. And the square bamboo shoots are one of their favorite treats," said Yin Yanqiang, head keeper of giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo.
The Jinfo Mountain bamboo shoots are at their freshest during this time of the year, and the giant pandas, living in the mountainous city of Chongqing, are perfectly positioned to enjoy this seasonal gift from nature.
Giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo celebrate festival with gourmet treat
