With a large ethnic Chinese population, Singapore also observes the Mid-Autumn festival, and is taking the celebrations to a whole new level.  A month-long extravaganza opened with a grand ceremony, and lighting up of an elaborate lantern display in Chinatown. CGTN's Miro Lu takes us there.

A spectacular show of lights, dynamic performances, traditional dragon dances and splendid fireworks, the Mid-Autumn Festivities at Singapore's Chinatown truly began with a bang.

One of the two most important festivals for Chinese in Singapore, the Mid-Autumn Festival marks the end of the autumn harvest.

And this year is particularly special for Singapore as it commemorates the nation's bicentennial. Two kilometers of Chinatown streets are covered with more than 100 handcrafted lanterns tracing 200 years of Singapore's history.

DR LILY NEO MEMEBER OF PARLIAMENT, JALAN BESAR GRC "For the first time, we have beautiful lanterns showing the history of Singapore. We have structured lanterns such as fishing villages and Sir Stamford Raffles to depict the past. We also have lanterns showing the progression of Singapore from the present to the future, with lanterns such as Changi airport, and Gardens by the Bay, as well as the futuristic Singapore."

One of the best-preserved customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival is sharing mooncakes, a traditional Chinese pastry which symbolises prosperity and family reunion.

And for most Singaporeans, family get-togethers are the most crucial aspect of this traditional Chinese holiday.

JEN PRICEPERFORMER, DANCIN' CHEEK TO CHEEK "This festival is particularly important especially we are all working adults, we haven't got enough time for the family. So, having a chance to get together, just having our mooncakes, having our tea, carrying lanterns together as a family. That's very precious to me."

The traditions and customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival are followed in several countries across Asia, but it is Singapore's multicultural identity that gives the celebrations a flavour that is unique to the island nation. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore.