A host of dazzling activities are delighting locals and visitors across China as celebrations get in full swing for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Tuesday this year.
The festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. With a history dating back more than a millennium, it is a cherished occasion for family reunions across China, with revelers eating mooncakes, appreciating the full moon and lighting lanterns.
Much of the festival is centered around paying homage to the moon and that is very much the case in the east China metropolis of Shanghai, where it has become popular to gather around lakes or along rivers where the moon's reflection can be seen shimmering in the water.
During this year's festive period, Shanghai's Yuyuan Gardens, one of the city's most famous scenic spots, has created 12 moon-themed installations, drawing inspiration from the mythological stories from one of China's oldest and most treasured literary works, 'The Classic of Mountains and Seas', which dates back more than 2,200 years.
"I like this full moon the most because it symbolizes completeness and harmony," said young visitor Yao Youchen as she highlighted her favorite among the giant lanterns on display.
Many others across China have been taking advantage of the chance to head out and explore various sights and scenery during the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday that started on Sunday.
Among of the most eye-catching attractions is a stunning molten iron flower fireworks show which is lighting up the night sky in Jingzhou of central China's Hubei Province.
As one of China's national intangible cultural heritages, the molten iron flower fireworks show features scrap iron being melted to 1,600 degrees Celsius and then thrown against a cold wall to create a dramatic firework effect.
The seemingly dangerous yet dazzling performance is deemed a must-see highlight for anyone flocking to the area.
"I find watching the iron flower firework show to be very stirring," said Lu Qing, one of the impressed tourists.
Visitors to Jingzhou can also enjoy a series of lantern parades, with decorated floats in a multitude of different designs illuminating the city with colorful lights and adding to the vibrant festive atmosphere.
Night skies lit up by lanterns, molten iron flower fireworks to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
Night skies lit up by lanterns, molten iron flower fireworks to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
