Biggest Festivals In China

China is known for its rich culture and history, and one way to experience it is through its festivals. From traditional celebrations to modern events, there’s always a festival happening in China throughout the year. Here are the biggest festivals in China that you shouldn’t miss:

1. Chinese New Year 🧧

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China. It’s a time for family reunions, feasting, and fireworks. The festival usually falls between late January to mid-February and lasts for 15 days. During this time, streets are decorated with red lanterns and people wear traditional clothes to welcome the new year.

2. Lantern Festival 🏮

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It falls on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, usually in February or March. The festival is famous for its colorful lantern displays, dragon dances, and eating yuanxiao (sweet glutinous rice dumplings).

3. Qingming Festival 🍃

The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a time to honor ancestors and remember the deceased. It falls on April 4th or 5th and is a public holiday in China. People visit cemeteries to clean and offer sacrifices to their ancestors, as well as enjoy spring outings and kite flying.

4. Dragon Boat Festival 🐲

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional holiday that commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. It’s celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, usually in June. The festival is famous for dragon boat races, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), and hanging calamus and iris leaves to ward off evil.

5. Mid-Autumn Festival 🌕

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival, is a traditional holiday that celebrates the harvest and family reunion. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in September or October. The festival is famous for mooncakes (sweet pastries with various fillings), lantern displays, and admiring the full moon.

6. National Day 🇨🇳

The National Day, also known as the Chinese Independence Day, marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1st. It’s a public holiday and a time for national pride and celebration. People decorate streets with national flags and enjoy various cultural performances and fireworks displays.

7. Spring Festival Travel Rush 🚂

The Spring Festival Travel Rush, also known as Chunyun, is the busiest travel season in China. It begins 15 days before Chinese New Year and lasts for 40 days. Millions of people travel across the country to reunite with their families and enjoy the festive atmosphere. It’s a challenging time for transportation and accommodation, but also a unique experience to witness the massive migration of people.

8. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival ❄️

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is a modern event that showcases the artistry of ice and snow sculptures. It’s held annually in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, from late December to early February. The festival features massive ice and snow sculptures, ice and snow sports, and various cultural performances. It’s a winter wonderland that attracts millions of visitors from around the world.

9. Canton Fair 🛍️

The Canton Fair, also known as China Import and Export Fair, is the largest trade fair in China and one of the largest in the world. It’s held twice a year in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, in April and October. The fair showcases various products and services from Chinese and international companies, and attracts buyers and exhibitors from all over the world.

10. Shanghai International Film Festival 🎥

The Shanghai International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in Asia. It’s held annually in June and features various film screenings, forums, and awards. The festival aims to promote film culture and exchange between China and the world, and attracts famous filmmakers and actors from both East and West.

11. Double Ninth Festival 🍁

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as Chongyang Festival, is a traditional holiday that celebrates longevity and respect for the elderly. It falls on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, usually in October. People climb mountains, drink chrysanthemum wine, and enjoy autumn scenery to ward off bad luck and pray for health and longevity.

12. Water Splashing Festival 💦

The Water Splashing Festival, also known as Songkran Festival, is a traditional holiday that marks the beginning of the New Year in some ethnic groups in China, such as the Dai people in Yunnan Province. It falls between April 13th to 15th and is famous for water fights, parades, and traditional dances. The festival symbolizes cleansing and renewal, and is a time for joy and blessings.

13. Lantern Floating Festival 🛶

The Lantern Floating Festival is a modern event that originated in Hawaii and was introduced to China in recent years. It’s held annually in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, and features floating lanterns on a lake, along with cultural performances and blessings. The festival aims to promote peace and harmony and attract tourists from around the world.

Complete Information About Biggest Festivals In China

China is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, and its festivals reflect this diversity. From traditional celebrations to modern events, there’s always something happening in China throughout the year. The biggest festivals in China are Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day, Spring Festival Travel Rush, Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Canton Fair, Shanghai International Film Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Water Splashing Festival, and Lantern Floating Festival. Each festival has its unique traditions, customs, and significance, and offers a glimpse into the rich culture and history of China.

FAQ About Biggest Festivals In China

1. What is the most important festival in China?

The most important festival in China is Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival. It’s a time for family reunions, feasting, and fireworks, and marks the beginning of the lunar new year.

2. What is the purpose of the Lantern Festival?

The purpose of the Lantern Festival is to mark the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and welcome the coming of spring. It’s famous for its colorful lantern displays, dragon dances, and eating yuanxiao (sweet glutinous rice dumplings).

3. What is the significance of the Qingming Festival?

The significance of the Qingming Festival is to honor ancestors and remember the deceased. It’s a time to visit cemeteries, clean and offer sacrifices to ancestors, and enjoy spring outings and kite flying.

4. What is the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday that commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. It’s famous for dragon boat races, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), and hanging calamus and iris leaves to ward off evil.

5. What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional holiday that celebrates the harvest and family reunion. It’s famous for mooncakes (sweet pastries with various fillings), lantern displays, and admiring the full moon.

6. What is the National Day?

The National Day marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1st. It’s a time for national pride and celebration, and features various cultural performances and fireworks displays.

7. What is the Spring Festival Travel Rush?

The Spring Festival Travel Rush is the busiest travel season in China. It begins 15 days before Chinese New Year and lasts for 40 days. Millions of people travel across the country to reunite with their families and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

8. What is the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival?

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is a modern event that showcases the artistry of ice and snow sculptures. It’s held annually in Harbin, from late December to early February, and attracts millions of visitors from around the world.

9. What is the Canton Fair?

The Canton Fair is the largest trade fair in China and one of the largest in the world. It’s held twice a year in Guangzhou, and showcases various products and services from Chinese and international companies.

10. What is the Shanghai International Film Festival?

The Shanghai International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in Asia. It’s held annually in June and features various film screenings, forums, and awards.

11. What is the Double Ninth Festival?

The Double Ninth