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Traveling to China offers the opportunity to experience not only stunning scenic spots but also a deep dive into its cultural heritage through traditional festivals. This is one of the key attractions for tourists visiting the "land of over a billion people."
1. Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is the most important and largest traditional celebration in China. Lasting about 15 days, it is filled with fireworks, dragon dances, and family reunions. People clean and prepare their homes, exchange red envelopes for luck in the coming year, and enjoy traditional dishes. If you visit China during this time, you'll witness stunning fireworks displays, savor delicious local foods, and see streets beautifully decorated.
2. Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar each year. During this festival, families gather to admire the full moon and enjoy mooncakes. The celebration is filled with lively activities such as dragon dances and lion dances on the streets. Additionally, beautiful red lanterns in various creative shapes are displayed in homes and public spaces.
3. Chinese Lantern Festival
Many may confuse the Lantern Festival with the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. In reality, these are two distinct celebrations, both involving the use of decorative lanterns. The Lantern Festival occurs approximately two weeks after Chinese New Year, on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This festival marks the conclusion of the New Year's festivities. On this day, people release sky lanterns and water lanterns. They also enjoy Tangyuan, sweet dumplings symbolizing unity and prosperity. Additionally, fireworks are set off to ward off evil spirits and illuminate lanterns, symbolizing hope for a bright future. If you visit China during this festival, you'll witness the breathtaking sight of thousands of lanterns glowing and floating in the air.
4. Qingming Festival
The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is celebrated on the 4th or 5th of April in the lunar calendar. This is an important traditional holiday in China, reflecting the cultural value of honoring one's ancestors. Families gather together to visit and clean the graves of their ancestors, offering food, burning paper money, and performing rituals to ensure the spirits are well taken care of. In some regions, Qingming is also accompanied by the custom of 'Treading on Green,' which involves outings to enjoy nature.
5. Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, held annually on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, features various activities, with dragon boat races being the highlight. This festival is a time for people to pray for good health, avoid sickness, and ensure bountiful harvests. A traditional food of the festival is Zongzi, rice wrapped in bamboo leaves with fillings such as beans, eggs, and pork. If you're a fan of community-oriented cultural events, this is a must-experience festival during your visit to China.
The Vu Lan Festival in China takes place from the 15th to the end of the 7th lunar month. According to popular belief, this is when the gates of the underworld open, granting mercy to the souls without a place to return. People hold ceremonies to honor these spirits and wish them peace, offering prayers for those with no family to worship them. The day also marks an opportunity for all prisoners in hell to be pardoned, freed from their torment, and to return to the peaceful world.
On the day of the Vu Lan Festival, Chinese Buddhists visit the graves of their ancestors, cleaning and offering them food and flowers. They pray for peace and prosperity for the departed souls.
7. Laba Porridge Festival
The Laba Porridge Festival is a distinctive celebration filled with cultural significance in China, and it’s an experience tourists should not miss. It takes place on the 8th day of the 12th month in the lunar calendar, celebrated at a temple in Beijing. In Chinese, ‘La’ means ‘the last lunar month’ and ‘Ba’ means ‘eight’. Laba porridge, a traditional dish prepared with over 30 ingredients, including medicinal herbs, is a key feature of the festival.
On the morning of Laba Festival, the monks at the temple in Beijing begin serving Laba porridge for free to visitors participating in the celebration. It is believed that consuming Laba porridge will bring health, wealth, and abundance in the coming year.
According to Mytour.vn
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Source: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnApril 19, 2024
