People across China celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival on Monday, taking part in a wide range of traditional cultural activities.
In Dalian City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, residents gathered at a local park to try their hands at traditional paper-cutting and making mooncakes, strengthening neighborhood bonds amid the festive atmosphere.
In Mohuer Village in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, officials and villagers celebrated the festival with a lavish banquet and ethnic dances.
In Yinchuan City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, thousands of mooncakes were fashioned in to one giant mooncake to decorate a local park, with the mooncakes then distributed free to visitors as festive blessings.
In southwest China's Sichuan Province, people in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County performed dragon dances and shared "moon buns," which symbolize family reunion.
"The dragon dance performance during the Mid-Autumn Festival shows the great spirit and vitality of our Chinese nation. Our life is becoming better and better. This sense of fulfillment stems from the harmony of our families and the strength of our nation," said Beichuan resident Li Li.
In Haining City, east China's Zhejiang Province, the most distinctive activity on the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival is to admire the magnificent Qiantang River tidal bore under the moon light. A light show illuminating the tidal bore added to the experience for many.
In northeast China's Jilin Province, stages were set up on cruise ships on the Songhua River for people to admire the full moon and enjoy time with their families while watching cultural performances.
Shouxian County, in east China's Anhui Province, came alive to the millennia-old Mid-Autumn torch dance, which conveys blessings and expressing hopes for the future.
In the ancient Shangxiahang Historical and Cultural District of Fuzhou City, east China's Fujian Province, traditional performances blending dialects, folk songs, and opera kept residents and tourists entertained.
In Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province, folk dances brought local culture alive for visitors.
In Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, performances were staged in a popular district, where tourists snapped photos and enjoyed the traditional cultural performances.
"On this day of family reunion, a profound cultural confidence arises spontaneously in my heart. May our traditional culture continue to be passed down in this way, and may our motherland enjoy everlasting harmony and prosperity," said tourist Zhang Xinya.
On Monday night, a spectacular sound and light show unfolded on Taihu Lake in Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Drones and fireworks danced together in the night sky, creating a dazzling scene.
In Zhongshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, thousands of drones took to the air, presenting a visual feast that blended technology and culture.
"I can feel the strength of our motherland. I truly feel incredibly blessed living in this peaceful and prosperous country," said Zhongshan resident Ou.
China's capital city Beijing welcomed tourists with more than 3,300 special cultural and tourism events during the eight-day holiday for National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, which started on Oct 1. Over 20 million tourists were welcomed during the first six days of the holiday period.
In Lushan City of east China's Jiangxi Province, people participated in arrow-throwing, guessing lantern riddles, and making lacquer fans.
Along the Fenhe River in Taiyuan City, north China's Shanxi Province, families enjoyed time together in the great outdoors.
Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated across China
