Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

China celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with vibrant folk culture activities

China

China

China

China celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with vibrant folk culture activities

2024-09-15 23:18 Last Updated At:09-16 01:17

China is abuzz with vibrant celebrations as folk cultural activities, including artistic performances, local snack-making, and cultural tourism events, are being held nationwide to welcome the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival on Tuesday.

The festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions.

In Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, the Jinci Museum has seen a surge in holiday visitors, offering an immersive experience of traditional Chinese culture through activities such as cultural performances and music shows.

"Seeing the cultural performances, and being able to wear hanfu [traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group in ancient times] during the Mid-Autumn Festival, has filled me with a strong sense of cultural confidence," said visitor Wu Yiming.

Jinci is a millennium-old temple with over 100 buildings from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (960-1911), more than 100 sculptures, and 30 ancient trees.

Meanwhile, in the renowned cultural city of Fuzhou, the capital of east China's Fujian Province, a series of events themed 'Come to Fuzhou and Receive Blessings' have been taking place in the city's ancient alleyways, showcasing the unique cultural heritage of the 'Zan' (hairpin).

This traditional art form, part of Fuzhou's intangible cultural heritage, showcases the intricate craftsmanship of hairpins, which symbolize luck and cultural heritage.

"This set of three hairpins I'm wearing weighs 330 grams and combines two elements. First, it features traditional patterns, and second, it incorporates the designs of scissors, razors, and kitchen knives, creating a unique blend of tradition and innovation. We hope that through the efforts of new generations in Fuzhou, we can open a door to this cultural heritage and share it with everyone from a fresh perspective," said Hu Lei, head of the Fuzhou Folklore Costume Team.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Shajing Village in the Banan District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has hosted a lively event showcasing the local tradition of making glutinous rice cakes (ciba), a special delicacy during the festive season.

The villagers gathered early to prepare the delicacy and share it while enjoying cultural performances rich in local flavor.

Many people have also chosen to travel during the holiday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, visiting historical sites and landmarks to relax and immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture.

The Yungang Grottoes Scenic Area in Datong City, Shanxi Province, has become a popular destination for tourists during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, offering personalized tours and photography sessions to appreciate the beauty of the ancient cave art.

The site has enhanced its services and activities to accommodate the diverse needs of visitors during the festive period.

Dating back 1,500 years to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-535), the Yungang Grottoes boast 45 major caves and more than 59,000 statues. In 2001, they were inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

In Xihuilijia Village, Jinxian County in east China's Jiangxi Province, the annual tradition of burning brick towers to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival took place on Friday, as villagers and tourists came together to welcome the joyous occasion.

The ancient village’s unique tradition of setting ablaze towering structures symbolizes hope for a bright future and a prosperous life.

At 20:00, three imposing five-meter fire towers, each built from 3,000 red bricks, dominated the village square. Villagers ignited the structures with dried mugwort, followed by larger pieces of wood, creating a fiery spectacle.

As the flames died down, villagers stirred the embers with long poles, sending sparks dancing in the wind, captivating tourists eager to witness this unique tradition.

The tradition of burning brick towers during the Mid-Autumn Festival has been passed down through generations in the village, with a history spanning over 600 years.

China celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with vibrant folk culture activities

China celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with vibrant folk culture activities

Next Article

Smart, sustainable cars highlighted at CIIE to reshape future transit

2024-11-08 16:59 Last Updated At:17:07

Fundamental changes are taking place quietly, in the sprawling halls of the ongoing CIIE's Future Mobility area modern innovators are re-imagining how humanity travel on smarter carriers with more fun and less harm to planet Earth.

At the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) this year, the automotive section dazzled with the theme "Mobility: Infinite Possibilities for the Future."

"Intelligence" has been a buzz word for many among the transportation tool exhibitors. A myriad of intelligent transportation methods and groundbreaking concepts are on display, igniting the imagination about the future of travel.

One standout attraction is a special tricycle concept vehicle, making its debut in China. Such innovative design marries the stability of a four-wheeler with the agility of a two-wheeler, the exhibitor's staff said.

"We have installed a smart steering system which can switch between two driving modes based on road conditions. In this way, when turning around in the narrow space of the city, the vehicle would be very nimble at corners, and it drives with great pleasure," said Qin Hua, an exhibitor.

Beyond new technologies and concepts, novel materials are opening new horizons for automotive design.

In a corner of the exhibition, another exhibitor showcases what might be the future of automotive architecture - a skeleton of pure carbon fiber which weights merely 206 kilos, less than tenth of a luxury family sedan.

"This is the first full carbon fiber body skeleton in China. The frame accounts for 80 percent of the body volume, but only one-tenth of the body weight. Compared with traditional aluminum bodies, the carbon fiber one can reduce the weight by more than 30 percent, which not only realizes lightweight, but achieves better security. This product has entered mass production at present, and carbon fiber is also being used more and more in low-altitude aircraft to help our future travel making more possibilities and imagination come true," said Chen Wenjin, the exhibitor.

Another key word of this year's car exhibits is "green." From plant-based seats to recyclable wheels and batteries, the ethos of sustainability permeates everything from car interiors to components. The future of mobility is not just smarter but greener too.

In the botanical garden of automotive innovation, a concept cockpit has also drawn great attention. Solar cells, thin as leaves, are integrated into its roof, harvesting energy much like photosynthesis. The energy can physically drive the car while powering the air conditioner and other electrical facilities.

"The middle of the roof is integrated with a thin film for solar power generation, and photovoltaic cells are placed around it. The cells enable green energy supply inside the car, which is not only environmental-friendly, but also able to extend the endurance range. It is estimated that the range can be increased by more than 2,000 kilometers each year," said Xu Wei, another exhibitor.

The seventh CIIE, taking place from Tuesday to Sunday in Shanghai, has drawn participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations, setting a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and other industry leaders scheduled to attend.

Smart, sustainable cars highlighted at CIIE to reshape future transit

Smart, sustainable cars highlighted at CIIE to reshape future transit

Recommended Articles