among the festivals celebrated by some of Asian people is the Moon Cake Festival, also known as the Mid August Festival. Large numbers of small round moon cake are eaten on this day, and children enjoy carrying colorful paper lanterns come in all shapes; the most popular ones are shaped like fish, rabbits and butterflies. According to them, the moon shines the brightest on the night of the Moon Cake Festival. Vogue is an American monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine that covers many topics, including haute couture fashion, beauty, culture, living, and runway. Based at One World Trade Center in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, In 1892, Vogue began as a weekly newspaper before becoming a monthly magazine years later. Thaipusam Festival – Malaysia. Thaipusam is one of the largest and most extravagant Hindu Festivals in Asia that is celebrated by millions of followers worldwide. The festival is held every January in honour of the Hindu God, Lord Murugan. In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and Penang are two of the most colourful places to observe the festivities, in While there are many incredibly beautiful festivals that take place in Japan, we've listed the ones we think travelers will enjoy the most below. Festivals in Japan 1. Gion Matsuri July 17 and 24, 2022—Kyoto This is probably the most famous festival to take place in Japan and is one of the country's largest celebrations. Losar Festival is the most important festival of the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Losar is the New Year festival of the Monpa tribe. The festival is usually celebrated in the later part of February or early March. The locals follow their own customs to celebrate the Losar, people visit the house of relatives and friends. Asian festivals (China, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand) fiacajayon Asian art RodriguezArt Taiko Drum Festival Learni Escote Kabuki of Japan by Group One VIII - Acapulco (1) Rizalian Asian theater Grade 8 Music and Arts pricilla tolentino Indonesian Theater - MAPEH 8 (Music 4th Quarter) Carlo Luna Japanese Theater - MAPEH 8 (Music 4th Quarter) The anthropologist Felipe Landa Jocano stresses that "in most cases, language is the only differentiating element in ethnic cultures, particularly among those which occupy adjacent and. Knowledge and expertise on history, dynamics, and issues of Mindanao, Muslim communities and indigenous peoples may be shared by Mindanao resource persons with pEYhvg. With the arrival of September and hints of cooler temperatures also comes one of most important traditional festivals in the Chinese calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Zhongqiu jie 中秋節, also known as the Moon Festival. At this time of the year, the Chinese store down the road from our home in Gainesville, Florida, is stocked with mooncakes, known in Chinese as yuebing 月餅. The same is true of Chinese stores around the world. There is even the option these days of buying these desserts from online retailers such as Amazon. These traditional delicacies are readied in anticipation of the festival, observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This is a time for family and friends to gather, watch the full moon and eat mooncakes and other delicacies. Other festivity highlights include public lantern displays, dance parties, traditional performances and worship of the moon goddess and other deities. Because of the central theme of family reunion, sometimes the festival evokes comparison to Thanksgiving in the The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time of gathering for families celebrating the holiday. Kong Ding Chek/E+ via Getty Images Mooncakes Tradition and innovation The gifting and eating of mooncakes is arguably the most emblematic feature of the festival. The round shape of the mooncake is meant to evoke an image of the full moon. The roundness of the full moon, in turn, symbolizes wholeness; by extension, it conveys a sense of spiritual contentment, coming together and reunion. Usually, mooncakes come with traditional fillings, such as red bean or white lotus seed paste. There are many regional variations, some of which contain a preserved egg yolk in the middle. The yellow egg yolk adds another layer of symbolism, as it resembles the round moon in the sky. Additionally, there are contemporary flavors such as chocolate, coffee or green tea. It is even possible to find ice cream mooncakes. These are created by commercial ice cream companies in order to tap into the lucrative mooncake market and cater to contemporary tastes. The egg yolk center of some mooncakes represents the full moon. insjoy/iStock via Getty Images Plus The legends behind the festival As a scholar of Chinese religions, I am especially fascinated by the legends associated with the origins of the festival. These are notable elements of popular lore, rooted in China’s long history and rich cultural traditions. Customarily, the Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with the popular legend about Chang’e 嫦娥, the goddess of the moon. The earliest versions of the story can be traced back to the Warring States, a significant historical period between 475-221 marked by recurrent warfare, bureaucratic reforms and political consolidation. Offerings are made to the moon goddess Chang'e during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Metropolitan Museum of Art Chang’e is said to have stolen the elixir of immortality from her husband, Yi, the great archer and hero of Chinese mythology. She then escaped to the moon, where she was condemned to a lonely existence. Later versions of the story, still told today, present a more flattering image of the goddess. She is described as a model of feminine beauty and elegance. She digests the elixir only in order to prevent it from falling in the hands of an evil person. She then chooses the moon as her immortal abode, to be close to her beloved husband. On his part, Yi makes sacrifices to his departed wife that feature cakes and fruits. The local people sympathize with him and also start making the same offerings. To this day, Chinese people continue this tradition, making offerings of mooncakes in commemoration of the goddess as they make wishes or pray for familial unity and harmony. Historical background In the agricultural society of premodern China, the Mid-Autumn Festival was linked with harvesting season celebrations. The term “mid-autumn,” which became the name of the festival, appears in “Zhou li” 周禮, or the Rites of Zhou. This is one of the early Confucian classics, the core texts that constitute the main canon of classical Confucianism. The earliest history of the festival is uncertain, but scholars have shown that its celebration already took place during the Tang era that lasted from 618-907 and increased in popularity during the later imperial period. Lanterns are a common symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Khanh Bui/Movement via Getty Images Celebrations in other Asian nations The Mid-Autumn Festival is also celebrated in Asian countries beyond China, as well as among the Chinese diaspora in other parts of the world. This is especially the case with Southeast Asian countries with large ethnically Chinese populations, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It is also an important festival in Vietnam. Called Tết Trung Thu, it is primarily celebrated as the children’s festival and is associated with unique Vietnamese legends. Besides moon watching and the ubiquitous mooncakes, among its unique features are the performances of traditional dances and the lanterns carried by children, as they walk under the glow of the full moon with their light illuminating the path. [Explore the intersection of faith, politics, arts and culture. Sign up for This Week in Religion.] Must-See Cultural Festivals in Asia main image Today sees the launch of the QS Asia University Rankings 2019, and to celebrate, we thought we’d take a look at the incredible things the region has to offer for study abroad students. From world-leading universities and growing economies to mouth-watering cuisines and exciting student cities, there’s plenty to welcome you if you decide to study in Asia. The region offers a distinctive cultural experience, with underlying tropes and traditions taking on new life and interpretations within each nation’s unique historic and contemporary contexts. From celebrating Chinese New Year in Singapore to Hindu Thaipusam in Malaysia, the following is our pick of 10 must-see cultural festivals in Asia roughly organized chronologically – leave a comment below to add your own favorites! 1. Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival China The annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is perhaps the largest ice and snow festival in the world. Taking place in the winter months, this unique festival showcases beautiful ice sculpture artworks, ranging from small mythical creatures and beautifully lit ice lanterns to awe-inspiring 250-feet monuments in an amazing display of craftsmanship and light. The first ice lanterns were a winter-time tradition in northeast China, hand-made by local peasants and fishermen by pouring water into a bucket, letting it freeze outside then gently pulling out the resulting bucket-shaped ice from its container. Then, they would chisel a hole in the top, creating a hollow vessel in which a candle was then placed, creating a windproof lantern to use while out on the lake. When to go The festival is officially held from January 5 to February 5, but exhibits may open earlier and stay open longer. The winter travel season begins in mid-November, but exhibits first start forming in mid-December. Top tip We’re betting you’ll want to take lots of pictures when you get to the festival, but keep in mind that the average January low in Harbin is 13°C 9°F, which can sap battery life faster than usual. Bring extra batteries, or try warming your battery now and then to keep it going. Where to study Chinese universities dominate the QS Asia University Rankings, led by Tsinghua University at joint third. A further eight institutions join the top 50, while a total of 113 Chinese institutions feature in the top 500. China is also featured in the QS BRICS University Rankings, taking seven of the top 10 places. 2. Thaipusam Malaysia Attracting over one million devotees and tens of thousands of tourists, Malaysia’s celebration of the Hindu festival Thaipusam is an eight-hour procession that starts at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur and ends after a flight of 272 steps to the stunning temple at Batu Caves just outside Kuala Lumpur. Thaipusam is usually celebrated by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai January/February and in communities where there is a significant Tamil presence. What is perhaps unique about Malaysia’s celebration is the rare scene of people from different ethnic groups and faiths also bearing “kavadi” alongside the Hindu devotees. Kavadi is a physical burden through which devotees implore for help from the God Murugan in order to avert some great misfortune. While the simplest kavadi might entail simply carrying a pot of milk on their heads or carrying a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod on their shoulders, some devotees also engage in mortification of the flesh where the skin, tongue or cheeks of devotees are pieced with vel skewers – definitely not a sight for the squeamish! When to go Dates are decided by the Tamil calendar, and are projected to be January 21 in 2019 and February 8 in 2020. Don’t miss While watching the devotees might take up most of your time, make sure to also visit some of the impressive limestone caves in the Batu area. At the top of the 272-step staircase is Temple Cave, with architectural columns made of stalactites and stalagmites. Nearby are three indoor galleries the Valluvar Kottam, a reptile gallery and an art gallery. Where to study Malaysia has a strong showing in the QS Asia University Rankings, with 26 of its institutions making the Asian top 500. Malaysia’s highest ranking entry is Universiti Malaya, ranked joint 19th. 3. Chinese New Year Singapore Chinese New Year is among festivals in Asia celebrated across the region, but our pick is Singapore, which throws the best celebrations outside of China with a three-day party. Also known as Lunar New Year due to the lunisolar Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese holiday and the longest festival in the Chinese calendar it runs from Chinese New Year’s Eve up to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month. Singapore’s three-day party is one of the most anticipated events in the country, featuring dragon parades, fireworks, colorfully-decorated streets with intricate lanterns, nightly staged shows at Kreta Ayer Square and a lion dance competition, all of which are punctuated with the multicultural sounds of music from around the world. Of note are the street parties, the Festive Street Bazaar, the annual Chinga street parade with colorful floats, and the Fire Party with cultural performances and a traveling dance competition. When to go The event usually falls in January or February and is projected to be on February 5 in 2019. Did you know…? Traditionally in China, red envelopes or packets called hongbao in Madarin, lai sze in Cantonese, ang pow in Hokkien and fung bao in Hakka are passed out during the celebrations, usually from married couples to unmarried people. The packets will usually contain money, given in even numbers and in lucky’ denominations such as eight or six. Where to study The National University of Singapore NUS tops this year’s QS Asia University Rankings, while Nanyang Technological University NTU holds strong in joint third place. 4. Holi India Image credit Steven Gerner Flickr The Holi Festival of Colors also called the Festival of Love is an ancient Hindu religious festival usually held in March. Celebrated by all Hindus and particularly in India, Nepal and Pakistan, Holi has grown in popularity with non-Hindus across South Asia and all over the world wherever there is a large Hindu community. Holi known as Dhuli in Hindi is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar and is a fivefold celebration the beginning of spring, the beginning of the Hindu new year, a time for renewing old relationships and ending conflicts in current relationships, love signified by Radha’s love for Krishna, a Hindu deity and the triumph of good over evil, signified by the religious legend of demoness Holika’s death. Celebrations begin with the lighting of bonfires the night before Holi, in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan burning of Holika. This is accompanied by singing, dancing and general merriment to the sound of dholak drums. The next day, Holi, brings laughing and dancing crowds throwing colored powder abiror gulal and water at strangers, friends and foes in a celebration of joy and goodwill. After a day of play with colors, families then take the time to visit each other’s houses, exchanging sweets and Holi delicacies. When to go Dates are projected to be March 21 in 2019 and March 10 in 2020. Did you know…? The tradition of consuming bhang during Holi celebrations is particularly common in Northern India and standard practice across India. While an integral part of tradition and custom in India, bhang is an intoxicating drink made from the female cannabis plant. Where to study Of its 75 institutions in this year’s QS Asia University Rankings, India has four in the top 50, including its top-ranked Indian Institute of Technology Bombay IITB in 33rd place. Don’t forget India is also featured in the QS BRICS University Rankings – the most recent edition was launched on the October 17 this year. 5. Taiwan Lantern Festival Taiwan Image credit Jirka Matousek Flickr There are lots of different lantern festivals in Asia, but perhaps the most stunning and most renowned is the Taiwan Lantern Festival held in the Pingxi District. Hosted by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transport and Communications to celebrate the wider Lantern Festival also observed by the Chinese and Vietnamese, this cultural festival involves many activities all throughout Taiwan. In the Yangshui District, for example, Tainan Yanshui Fireworks Display meaning beehive of fireworks at the Wumiao Temple is one of the most important, originally signifying the warding off of evil and disease. Over in the mountainous Pingxi District, the sky lanterns were originally released to let others know that the town was safe. The two events are known together as the “Fireworks in the South, Sky Lanterns in the North”. While the event is celebrated with lantern making, lantern riddle games and displays of glittering decorative lanterns, the most magical, romantic and striking event happens when the lanterns are adorned with the wishes and dreams of each owner and then released simultaneously along with thousands of others. When to go Held on the first full-moon night of the lunar year, which usually falls in February or March. In 2019, the Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held between February 19 and March 2. Did you know…? This magical experience influenced the imagery in Disney’s Tangled and formed the basis of the storyline, where the Lost Princess Rapunzel’s birthday would be honored each year with the release of thousands of sky lanterns. Where to study Taiwan provides plenty of choice for students with 36 institutions in the QS Asia University Rankings. Its top-ranked National Taiwan University NTU is ranked an impressive 22nd place, with 10 other Taiwanese institutions in the top 100. 6. Songkran Thailand Sawatdee Pee Mai! The Songkran Festival celebrates New Year’s Day in Thailand and also coincides with the New Year of many calendars of countries in South and Southeast Asia. As such, it might seem at times that the whole of Asia has descended on the streets of Thailand when Songkran – the world’s biggest water fight – begins in April. Perhaps Thailand’s most energetic and well-known cultural festival, Songkran brings reveling crowds to the main streets, rubbing brightly colored chalk or talc on each other and throwing water. Armed with buckets, bowls, water guns and even hoses, the young and old take part in this friendly war of waters, indiscriminately blessing’ all passers-by in the warmest month of the year. The throwing of water is symbolic of the spring-cleaning aspect of Songkran and is also seen as a way of paying respect to others, while the chalk was traditionally used by monks to mark blessings. While it’s not clear exactly how Songkran began, the festival has roots in Buddhism, with many Thais still honoring the festival’s origins. Locals celebrate the New Year by returning home to their families, spring-cleaning their houses, sprinkling water from silver bowls onto the hands of elders and monks as a sign of respect known as Rod Nahm Dum Hua, paying homage to Buddha and taking food and bags of sand to monasteries. When to go Originally dictated by the lunar calendar, Songkran was later fixed to take place between the 13th and 15th of April each year to reflect the week-long festival’s popularity with tourists. Chang Mai, the 700-year-old city in north Thailand, is the center of the Songkran festival. Top tip Wear appropriate footwear such as rubber-soled shoes or sandals – the flour/water combination can get extremely slippery! While we’re on the subject of clothing, there’s no dress code to the event – anything you don’t mind getting wet is fine – but do remember that some colors become see-through when wet. Where to study Thailand’s highest ranking institution Chulalongkorn University takes an impressive 44th place in the QS Asia University Rankings, and the country commands a total of 19 places in the top 500, including six in the top 150. 7. Rainforest World Music Festival Borneo/Malaysia Image credit Eugene Yong Flickr The Rainforest World Music Festival RWMF is a unique festival held in the Malaysian island of Borneo to celebrate music, nature and culture. While the main event brings renowned world musicians from all over the world to perform alongside indigenous musicians from Borneo, the three-day festival also includes a packed schedule of informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, intimate jamming sessions and mini concerts. The Rainforest World Music Festival takes place at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching and is one of the largest musical events in Malaysia. The main stage is situated in the midst of lush greenery in the heart of the Borneo Jungle and is accompanied by food and drink stalls offering local and regional Malaysian and Asian cuisine, an arts and crafts area to satisfy your sure-to-be-tingling creative senses and plenty of souvenirs and festival memorabilia to take home. Visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere as they spend their days learning about music, and their nights enjoying that music under a rainforest canopy. When to go Dates are announced on the website each year and are typically in June or July July 12 -14 in 2019 Top tip Arrive early to check out the cultural displays, demonstrations and workshops that are included in the entrance price. When it comes time for the evening performances, it might be worth bringing your own mat to sit on the grass, as seating tends to fill up pretty quickly. 8. Dragon Boat Festival China Again, there are many Dragon Boat Festivals in Asia, but this traditional holiday also known as a Duanwu Festival’ originates in China. It occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the traditional lunar calendar, earning it the alternative name of the Double Fifth Festival’. It is also called the Fifth Month Festival’, Fifth Day Festival’ and Dumpling Festival’ in Malaysia, Singapore and by the Taiwanese Hokkien. The traditional celebrations are to prevent disease or evil and promote health and well-being. Activities include preparing and eating zongzi sticky rice treats wrapped in bamboo leaves and drinking realgarwine. Celebrators also hang up icons of Zhong Kui a mythic guardian figure along with mugwort and calamus, take long walks and wear perfumed medicine bags. The game of making an egg stand at exactly noon on the day gives the successful player luck for the next year. The main event, of course, is the dragon boat race. The human-powered boat made with teak wood is brightly decorated, with the front end shaped like the head of an open-mouthed dragon and the back like a scaly tail. The boats vary in length, size and design and can hold up to 80 rowers. A sacred ceremony is performed before the competition to bring the boat to life’ and the first team to grab a flag at the end is declared the winner. When to go The event is based around the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so dates vary each year. In 2018, the festival was held on June 18, with June 7 scheduled for 2019. Did you know…? The event is said to commemorate the death of poet and minister Qu Yuan who served in the high offices in the ancient Chinese state of Chu during the Warring States period of the Zhou Dynasty. Qu was banished by the king for opposing his alliance with the powerful state of Qin and turned to poetry during his exile. Qu later committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River in reaction to the capture of Chu capital Ying by Qin powers. 9. Boryeong Mud Festival South Korea Image credit Jirka Matousek Flickr Since 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival has taken place every year in the summer months. Held in the Daecheon beach area in west South Korea, this cultural festival has grown to an excess of million visitors since its inception in 1998. While originally conceived as a marketing vehicle for Boryeong mud cosmetics, the two-week event has become popular Koreans and foreigners alike for its fun-filled, skin-friendly activities. Mud is taken from the mineral-rich Boryeong mud flats every year to use for the Mud Experience Land’ program, along with the many mud-related events, including mud wrestling, mud king contest, mud massage and acupuncture programs, mud sliding, mud skiing, colored mud body painting, swimming in a large pool of mud, a mud spa, and a photo competition, all ending in a spectacular mud fireworks display and dance parties. Visitors can also take part in the adventurous marine-type silt extreme training experience. When to go The event usually starts mid-July with the final weekend often the most exciting. Dates for 2019 are July 12 to 21. Don’t miss While in the area, take the time to explore the Chungcheongnam-do province’s other attractions, including Muchango Beach’s “mystic sea road” – a 1500-meter walking trail only accessible for two hours a day at low tide, or nearby Taean Haean National Park for an unspoilt South Korean coastline and delicious seafood. Where to study South Korea is home to the two of the top 10 institutions in the QS Asia University Rankings, with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology KAIST ranked eighth, while Seoul National University SNU is 10th. It boasts a total of 58 institutions in the top 500, including 18 in the top 100. 10. Winter Light Festival Japan Kuwana City is home to Nabana No Sato, a botanical theme park featuring meticulously landscaped gardens and impressive giant greenhouses. In the spring, the park is colorfully decorated in an array of flowers, blossoms and cherry trees, including row upon row of tulips, pansies, viola, stock and daisies. Come winter, however, and visitors to the park can enjoy one of Japan’s most impressive illuminations in the incredible Winter Light Festival. The fragrance of the flowers mingles with the cold winter air as bundled-up visitors arrive in their thousands to enjoy the famous Tunnel of Lights, and the accompanying elegant light shows and designs that blanket the entirety of the theme park and its waters. Created with over seven million LED lights charged using solar panels to reduce the impact on the environment, Japan’s biggest winter illumination includes themed light shows every year – previous shows included Mt Fuji at dawn’ and an aurora. When to go Open 9am to 9pm, the theme park itself can be enjoyed year-round, but the Winter Festival runs for four months from mid-October to mid-March. Top tip Wrap up warm in plenty of layers and go on a weeknight if possible as the weekends can get particularly crowded on the weekends. If you want to make a day of it, the park hosts a variety of restaurants including the Nagashima Beer Garden. Where to study Japan’s top universities hold strong positions in the top 20 of the the QS Asia University Rankings, with the University of Tokyo in 11th place, Kyoto University in 14th, Osaka University in 16th, and Tokyo Institute of Technology in 18th place. 11. BONUS Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures Australia Extending our coverage to the Asia-Pacific region is a great excuse to mention one of the most significant events in the Australian cultural festival calendar. The Garma Festival of Traditional Culture is held in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia. A celebration of the cultural inheritance of the native Yolngu people, the festival emphasizes the practice, preservation and maintenance of traditional dance bunggul, storytelling, songs manikay, art miny’ tji and ceremony Wangga. It’s also a platform for the education and training of indigenous youth. The festival is organized by the not-for-profit Aboriginal Yothu Yindi Foundation and aims to share the knowledge and culture of the Yolngu with non-indigenous Australians in order to foster greater understanding between the two. As such, the festival includes a Key Forum where you can attend talks with indigenous people, a Youth Forum with workshops for indigenous and non-indigenous students, Garma cultural workshops displaying the most unique traditional practices of Yolgnu culture, along with musical performances, a film program, exhibition stalls, the Gapan Gallery and visits to the local community and schools. When to go The Garma Festival of Traditional Culture is held every August and usually spans four days. Did you know…? The Garma Festival is held in Gulkula, a stringybark forest where the Yolngu ancestor Ganbulabula introduced the yiḏaki didjeridu or didgeridoo to the Gumatj people. While the didgeridoo is now a popular instrument throughout Australia, the yiḏaki is specific to the Yolngu people who now use the synonym mandapul to refer to the instrument, out of respect for a deceased Manggalili-clan man whose name sounds similar to yiḏaki. Where to study Australia has a strong showing in the most recent edition of the QS World University Rankings, with 31 institutions featured and its top-ranked Australian National University in 24th place. This article was originally published in June 2014 by Hasna Haidar. It was updated in October 2018 by Sabrina Collier. Want more content like this? Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed. This article was originally published in October 2018 . It was last updated in May 2023 Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed. + 6 others saved this article + 7 others saved this article These traditional festivals will really introduce you to life in China. There are annual events like Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Qingming Tomb Sweeping Festival, Double Seven Festival, and the Winter Solstice. The festivals introduced here have been selected for their traditional Chinese nature. Often the dates will vary from year to year because they are celebrated according to the Chinese calendar. See below for the dates. You may need to inquire for dates in the following year. Traditional Festivals and Events List 1. Chinese New Year Dates, Traditions, Animal Signs 2022 February 1, 2022 2023 January 22, 2023 2024 February 10, 2024 Chinese New Year is also called Spring Festival. It is the most important festival to Chinese people. Many activities are held to celebrate the festival, such as dragon dances, setting off firecrackers, making dumplings, etc. Read more about Chinese New Year. 2. China's Lantern Festival Traditions, Activities, Places To Go 2022 February 15, 2022 Tuesday 2023 February 5, 2023 Sunday 2024 February 24, 2024 Saturday The Lantern Festival is traditionally the last day of the Chinese New Year period. It became a festival about 2,000 years ago. Billions of lanterns and giant lantern and drone displays makes the time festive. Read more about China's Lantern Festival Traditions, Activities, Places To Go 3. Qingming Festival 2022 April 5, 2022 Tuesday 2023 April 5, 2023 Wednesday 2024 April 4, 2024 Thursday Qingming Festival around April 4 is Chinese people's day for visiting graves and burial grounds to pray their respects to their ancestors. It's known as Tomb Sweeping Festival in English. Many Chinese also go for a picnic during Qingming Festival to enjoy the picturesque scenery of spring. Read more Qingming Festival 4. Dragon Boat Festival 2022 June 3, 2022 Friday 2023 June 22, 2023 Thursday 2024 June 10, 2024 Monday The most popular and representative activity of Dragon Boat Festival is dragon boat racing. Dragon Boat Festival falls on month 5 day 5 of the Chinese lunar calendar around mid-June. During this traditional festival in China, people customarily eat rice dumplings. Read more about Dragon Boat Festival 5. Double Seventh Day - How to Celebrate China's Valentine’s Day 2022 August 4, 2022 Thursday 2023 August 22, 2023 Tuesday 2024 August 10, 2024 Saturday Double Seventh Day falls on the 7th day of the 7th month of China's lunar calendar around mid-August; that's why it is called Double Seventh Day. Known as China's Valentine's Day, it is a festival that has legendary links with romance and love in China. Read more about Chinese Valentine’s Day 6. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival 2022 September 10, 2022 Saturday 2023 September 29, 2023 Friday 2024 September 17, 2024, Tuseday In 2023, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, will fall on September 29 Friday. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in many East Asian communities... People celebrate it by gathering for dinners, worshiping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, eating mooncakes, etc. Learn more about Mid-Autumn Festival. 7. Winter Solstice Dongzhi Festival 2022 December 22, 2022 Thursday 2023 December 22, 2023 Friday 2024 December 21, 2024 Saturday Some Chinese celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21st, 22nd or 23rd depending on the day it falls. It is a custom for people to eat dumplings and/or tangyuan with their family on the day of the Winter Solstice. Read more 8. Summer Solstice xià zhì夏至 — the Longest Day 2022 June 21, 2022 Tuesday 2023 June 21, 2023 Wednesday 2024 June 21, 2021 Friday Solar terms are a Chinese conception of the seasons and a product of the tireless exploration of the natural sciences by Chinese people's ancestors. "Summer solstice" is one of the most... Read more 9. The Double Ninth Festival 2022 October 4, 2022 Tuesday 2023 October 23, 2023 Monday 2024 October 11, 2024 Friday The Double Ninth Festival is also named Chongyang Festival. It is held on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese lunar calendar around mid-October. During the festival, enjoying chrysanthemums and climbing mountains are both popular activities in China. Read more 10. Hungry Ghost Festival 2022 August 12, 2022 Friday 2023 August 30, 2023 Wednesday 2024 August 18, 20214 Sunday In China, special customs for memorizing the dead are held on Qingming Festival and Hungry Ghost Festival. Hungry Ghost Festival is the most important festival in month seven of the lunar calendar for Chinese people. The date, lunar month 7 day 15, is around late August. Read more JIN DING/CHINA DAILY Editor's note As Valentine's Day is being celebrated on Monday and Lantern Festival will be celebrated on Tuesday, three scholars share their views on the festivals with China Daily. Do you prefer to celebrate Valentine's Day, which falls on Monday, or Lantern Festival which falls on Tuesday? Many young people may ask, "Why not both"? Festivals are social events people have enjoyed since ancient times, when people around the world held ritual activities in groups to worship their ancestors, pray for good fortune or celebrate the harvest. In olden days, festivals were events celebrated by a community. Festivals arise from our ancestors' marking of seasonal changes and astronomical phenomena associated with religious beliefs. In earlier times festival activities would always be regarded as having great significance. Later, festivals often became characterized by carnivals in which some of the original significance was lost as people gathered together to enjoy a good time. Since industrialization ushered much of the world into the modern era, festivals have gradually served to fulfill more secular, social and recreational purposes, and are less closely linked with the forces that our ancestors believed shaped people's daily lives and fortunes. Nowadays, among the festivals celebrated in China are specific days that honor particular social groups or professions, such as the National Day, Teachers' Day and Women's Day, and the time-honored festivals, such as Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, whose origins can be traced back thousands of years ago and which are now celebrated as national holidays. There are other festivals that people celebrate to varying degrees such as Qixi, which is the Chinese Valentine's Day, and the Chongyang or Double Ninth Festival, the longevity festival, as well as many regional ethnic group festivals. All these festivals break up the daily routine and inject vitality into people's lives. In modern times, some Western festivals, such as Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Mother's Day and Father's Day, although not public holidays, are enjoyed by young people and have become "new celebrations" in Chinese society. Actually, Christmas in China is more of a day for fun, friendship and fondness than a religious celebration. Shopping malls and entertainment facilities in the big cities are filled with Christmas elements, such as fir trees, Santa Claus and carols, while Halloween is celebrated by youthful party-goers who like to wear fancy costumes for the occasion. But in general, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day are the most popular Western festivals in China. Valentine's Day, which is closely linked with fashion and consumerism, is widely celebrated by young people in urban areas. They have adopted the traditional Western ways of celebrating the day, with couples enjoying a romantic dinner and exchanging gifts, such as flowers, chocolates and jewelry. Valentine's Day always gives a boost to such consumption. Besides, Mother's Day and Father's Day are accepted by the whole society because of China's culture of filial piety. Many Chinese people take this opportunity to show their gratitude to their parents by sending gifts or having a meal together. The cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world help many Chinese accept foreign festivals, which in turn enrich their daily lives. Meanwhile, the introduction and acceptance of foreign festivals reveal the inclusiveness and vitality of Chinese civilization. However, while recognizing the positive contributions these adopted foreign festivals make to cultural exchanges between China and other countries, it should be recognized that the values of these foreign festivals may be different from those embodied in traditional Chinese culture. Against this backdrop, the authorities can play a role by strengthening the preservation and promotion of China's traditional festivals and preventing the commercial opportunities presented by Western festivals from giving them undue importance. Chinese traditional festivals are reflections of the traditional culture and values in the modern era. The country should not let young people forget the traditional values they celebrate. Compared with foreign festivals, Chinese festivals focus more on the family and are characterized by the different generations of a family celebrating them together. Take Spring Festival, the most important festival in China, which fell on Feb 1 this year. The festival is associated with several customs. During the seven-day holiday, people gather for an annual family reunion dinner, thoroughly clean their houses, and decorate windows and doors with red paper-cuts and couplets that display the charm of traditional culture. According to official data, more than 90 million passenger trips were made on China's railways from Jan 17 to Feb 2, the first 17 days of the Spring Festival travel rush this year. Actually, the festival led to billions of passenger journeys every year before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Traditional culture is a key element that can help finally realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. It is quite important for the country to boost its traditional festivals and culture, enhance international cultural communication and improve cultural attractiveness. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily. The author is a researcher at the China National Center for Cultural Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. These big Asian festivals may vary from place to place, but all share something in common they're often big, chaotic, and extremely memorable! With so many different cultures, religions, and reasons to celebrate spread across Asia, you'll probably be close to an interesting festival no matter where you travel. That's a mixed blessing. Arriving in time to enjoy the festivities will make a great memory. But arriving in the middle of a massive festival when hotels are full and transportation is shut down will be something you'd rather forget. Note Many Asian festivals are based on lunisolar calendars, so the dates change from year to year. 03 of 10 Chinese New Year Pascal Deloche/Getty Images Chinese New Year is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. The first few days of the 15-day festival will certainly have an impact on all destinations in Asia. Many Chinese families travel to tourist destinations in Southeast Asia during this time. Expect accommodation to be pricier than usual; transportation often fills up. The reward is worth the effort! When Dates change; usually in January or February Where All major destinations in Asia, but especially Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, and other places with large ethnic-Chinese communities. 04 of 10 Ramadan Kevin Frayer/Stringer/Getty Images There is no reason to avoid travel during the Islamic holy month. In fact, you'll get to enjoy special foods, markets, and festivals in the evenings. Eid al-Fitr — Hari Raya Puasa in Bahasa-speaking countries — is particularly festive as Muslims break their fast. When Dates change yearly based on the sighting of the crescent moon in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Where Any country with a large Muslim population. Ramadan is widely observed in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and others. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Chinese Moon Festival Addy Ho/EyeEm/Getty Images Also known as the Mooncake Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese Moon Festival is a happy time when friends, family, and lovers share reunions, spend time together, and exchange mooncakes. Chinese mooncakes are small, round cakes with different fillings; some can be surprisingly heavy, and the ones made from exotic ingredients are expensive! When Dates change; usually September or OctoberWhere Anyplace with a large Chinese population including Singapore and other major Asian cities. 06 of 10 Rainforest World Music Festival Robertus Pudyanto/Contributor/Getty Images One of Southeast Asia's largest music festivals, the Rainforest World Music Festival, is held each summer just outside of Kuching, the capital of Sarawak in Borneo. As if a large, international lineup of bands wasn't enough, the setting includes coastline and rainforest; plus, the three-day festival is filled with cultural demonstrations and workshops from the indigenous Dayak groups. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching are very affordable, but only if you book in advance of the festival! When Every year in June or JulyWhere The Sarawak Cultural Village, located outside of Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo 07 of 10 Hari Merdeka Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images Hari Merdeka translates to "Independence Day" and can refer to the independence celebrations in either Malaysia or Indonesia. Both countries celebrate independence from colonial rule with parades, fireworks, and demonstrations. Public transportation is greatly affected during the festivals. When August 31 in Malaysia; August 17 for Indonesia Independence Day Where Throughout Malaysia and Indonesia 08 of 10 Setsubun in Japan masahiro Makino/Getty Images Setsubun is celebrated during Japan's Haru Matsuri Spring Festival to welcome the beginning of spring. Participants throw soybeans to frighten away evil spirits that could threaten health in the new lunar year. Shrines are particularly busy during this time. Although Setsubun is not an official national holiday, the event has evolved to include sumo wrestlers, celebrities, and gatherings where candy and envelopes with money are thrown into frenzied crowds! Setsubun is certainly one of the more peculiar, and fun, Japanese festivals. When February 3 or 4Where In gatherings, both public and private, throughout Japan Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Hungry Ghosts Festival NurPhoto/Getty Images The Hungry Ghosts Festival is a Taoist holiday celebrated by Chinese communities throughout Asia. Offerings of food are given to ancestors along with "gifts" represented by paper notes and fake money. Each note can represent new TVs, cars, household items, or other gifts that the ancestors may enjoy in the afterlife. The notes are thrown in the air and burned. Starting new undertakings and traveling during the Hungry Ghosts period is considered unlucky. When Dates change; always on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month Where Any place with a significant Taoist population including Singapore, Penang in Malaysia, and other destinations 10 of 10 National Day in China VCG/Stringer/Getty Images National Day in China began as a patriotic holiday in 1949. Tens of thousands of people from all parts of China cram into Beijing to enjoy Tiananmen Square and other national landmarks. National Day is definitely the busiest time to be in Beijing; the subway system and public transportation get filled beyond capacity. Popular sites and attractions such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City will have lengthy waits — plan accordingly! When October 1Where Beijing is the epicenter

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