Mid Autumn Festival celebrations filled China with joy this October as the holiday coincided with the National Day break. The eight-day Mid Autumn Festival highlighted reunion, travel, and cultural tradition, turning cities and villages into centers of festive activity.
Passengers on a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an joined themed events, including workshops making moon-shaped fans. A traveler surnamed Li said the activity gave his daughter a chance to learn about heritage. His daughter proudly said she would gift her fan to her grandmother in Xi’an.
During the first four days of the Mid Autumn Festival, China recorded about 1.24 billion passenger trips. This surge underscored the popularity of combining family reunions with domestic travel. Trains, highways, and tourist destinations experienced record traffic throughout the festival period.
In northeastern Jilin Province, families celebrated the Mid Autumn Festival by embracing cultural traditions through Hanfu attire and storytelling. One mother from Heilongjiang explained that her daughter learned the meaning of reunion while joining moon appreciation activities.
Meanwhile, Tianjin’s historic Yangliuqing town showcased its rich culture during the Mid Autumn Festival. Streets glowed with lanterns and woodblock painting displays, attracting locals and tourists alike. Gao Jie, a cultural tourism manager, said combining art with the festival enhanced cultural appreciation. The evening concluded with drone fireworks, blending centuries-old customs with modern technology.
Culinary traditions also played a central role during the Mid Autumn Festival. Mooncakes remained the signature treat but gained regional twists this year. In Xinjiang, milk skin and yogurt mooncakes became popular on online platforms. In Guangxi, orange peel fillings offered refreshing flavor combinations, reflecting the evolving tastes of younger consumers.
The mooncake market is forecast to reach 32.5 billion yuan in 2025, showing strong year-on-year growth. Retailers launched hundreds of new mooncake products, while e-commerce platforms reported sustained sales momentum throughout the Mid Autumn Festival.
Cultural experts noted that the Mid Autumn Festival continues to balance heritage with innovation. Families embrace traditional values while also enjoying digital commerce, culinary creativity, and new forms of entertainment.
Looking ahead, China expects rising domestic tourism and stronger cultural industries to expand the festival’s influence. The Moon Festival remains a lasting symbol of reunion, innovation, and national identity.
