China's northernmost city of Mohe in Heilongjiang Province has been treated to a spectacular natural display of stunning northern lights, or aurora borealis, triggered by a powerful geomagnetic storm in the past few days.
The aurora first appeared on Sunday evening and continued through the early hours of Monday morning, painting the night sky with mesmerizing hues of green, red, and purple. On Monday night, the celestial show reached new heights as the brilliant aurora was framed by the dazzling Perseid meteor shower.
"The bottom part of the aurora was green, above which the lights gradually turned pink, purple, and red - it was absolutely breathtaking. I'm so lucky and excited to witness this," said a tourist.
"It's really rare to see the aurora alongside the Big Dipper and shooting stars. I couldn't help but jump up and down and scream in excitement," said another.
The aurora borealis is caused by the collision of charged particles directed by the Earth's magnetic field. The phenomenon is observable in areas close to the Earth's north pole, making the northernmost Chinese city the best place in the country to observe the natural wonder.
Stunning aurora borealis, shooting stars seen in northeast China's Mohe
Stunning aurora borealis, shooting stars seen in northeast China's Mohe
Stunning aurora borealis, shooting stars seen in northeast China's Mohe
China's Mid-Autumn Festival travel market remained stable this year, with tourists favoring local and short-distance trips blending travel with festive reunions and rich cultural experience, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar and dates back for more than a millennium. As a festival in honor of the moon and harvest, families reunite on the occasion to admire the bright full moon, light lanterns and share the holiday pastry of mooncakes.
Local getaways and short trips were particularly popular during the holiday, with Chinese-style night tours which allow tourists to enjoy the full moon with their families, emerging as a major trend.
These night excursions, featuring moonlit boat cruises, bonfire parties, performances showcasing intangible cultural heritage (ICH), and outdoor concerts, provided visitors with a rich and immersive cultural experience while also becoming a key highlight for promoting local culture and stimulating holiday consumption.
Data from online travel platforms showed a 77 percent surge in searches related to night tours of ancient towns and gardens, while searches for night boat cruises increased by 42 percent.
"ICH performances boast deep cultural significance and unique artistic appeal, while concerts create an immersive experience that emotionally resonates with visitors. The growing trend of tourists dressing in traditional costumes for scenic photoshoots has also taken off, allowing them to express their individuality in creative ways," said Wang Jinwei, a professor at the School of Tourism Sciences of the Beijing International Studies University.
Following the summer vacation's longer and more demanding trips, and ahead of the week-long National Day holiday from Oct 1 to Oct 7, most people used the shorter Mid-Autumn Festival break for time with family and recharge.
The three-hour high-speed rail networks, where travelers can move between cities within three hours — such as the network connecting east China's Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, and Shanghai, or those linking Guangzhou City and Shenzhen City in south China, Chengdu City and Chongqing Municipality in southwest China — saw particularly frequent movement.
Self-driving trips, or combining high-speed rail with car rentals, remained popular among travelers moving between cities within a province or across neighboring provinces.
"As travel expectations rise, more tourists are seeking relaxed and comfortable travel options, as seen during this Mid-Autumn Festival," Wang added.
Local, short-distance, cultural vibes tours lead China’s Mid-Autumn Holiday travel
