大象传媒

What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival ( Zhōng Qiū Jié) celebrates the full moon ( yuè liang) on the night and gives thanks to the Autumn harvest.

When is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the eight month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar.

In China, it is the second biggest festival after the Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival ( Chūn Jié).

During this time, try saying in Mandarin:

Zhōng Qiū Jié kuài lè! - Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

How do Chinese people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Similar to most Chinese festivals, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunion.

Family and friends come together on the day to watch the full moon and share dinner ( wǎn cān).

In some communities, lanterns ( dēng lóng) are hung for the festival too.

Why not try making your own Chinese paper lantern?

Chinese mooncake
Image caption,
Chinese mooncake

What do people eat for the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The food ( shí wù) for the Mid-Autumn Festival is the mooncake ( yuè bǐng).

Yuè bǐng are round pastries with rich, thick fillings and are usually accompanied with tea ( 肠丑á).

Chinese mooncake
Image caption,
Chinese mooncake

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