An aerial view of the dragon dance during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, September 10, 2022. /CFP
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is usually marked by family reunions, enjoying the sights of the full moon and eating mooncakes.
A slew of cultural activities to celebrate the occasion took place around China.
Colorful folklore for Mid-Autumn Festival
Colorful, festive activities were carried out to experience traditional folk culture and share happy reunions all across the country.
Villagers celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a dragon dance in Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, September 10, 2022. /CFP
In Shexian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, people performed a dragon dance using a 10-meter-long dragon made of tens of thousands of grass straws. The grass dragon dance is said to have originated during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). It was derived from previous religious folk activities and gradually became a necessity for traditional festivals.
Residents paint during the "Moon Lantern" folk culture experience activity in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, September 10, 2022. /CFP
It is customary to light lanterns on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, held a Mid-Autumn Festival-themed folk culture experience, where visitors could paint fruit and animals, and create colorful lanterns.
In Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province, the Tujia (an ethnic group in China) people made "Tujia mooncakes" of glutinous rice wrapped with various fillings.
After eating the "Tujia mooncakes," people went down to the fields, selected fruits and melons for their neighbors, and shared the joy of the harvest.
Mid-Autumn Festival travel around China
As a legal holiday in China, the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival provides an opportunity for many people to travel short distances with their families.
Despite the anti-epidemic travel requirements in Chinese cities, following recent COVID-19 outbreaks, people still found many ways to relax and enjoy the holiday.
Residents and tourists visit the Confucius Temple Scenic Area in Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, September 11, 2022. /CFP
The Confucius Temple in the Qinhuai District of Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, welcomed tourists with performances, shopping and food to celebrate the holiday.
The Tang Paradise Scenic Area holds a light and water show themed "Chasing Tang Dynasty Dreams" in Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, September 10, 2022. /CFP
At the Tang Paradise Scenic Area in Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a grand light and water show is being staged. The lanterns are festive, bright and beautiful.
Amusement parks have become a great alternative to traditional scenic spots during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
People have fun at an amusement park during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in Sihong County of Suqian, east China's Jiangsu Province, September 11, 2022. /CFP
In Sihong County of Suqian City, east China's Jiangsu Province, tourists enjoyed their time off at an amusement park with their families and walked on the colorful glass bridge.