Every year, people in <st1:country-region w:st="on">China will gather with their families to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, they will place food on altars in old yards, among which moon cake is specially prepared for this festival. When the night falls down, they will look at the full moon in the sky and send regards to relatives and friends far away from home.

Here is greetings from China World Connection.

The custom of Mid-Autumn Festival can be traced back as far as the Xia and Shang dynasties. In ancient <st1:country-region w:st="on">China, the day was considered a harvest festival since fruits, vegetables and grain had been collected from the fields. The round shape of moon and moon cakes also shows that it is a time for family reunion.

Delicious moon cakes

Today, festivities centered about the Mid-Autumn Festival are more varied. After a family reunion dinner, many people like to go out to attend special persormances in parks or on public squares. For example, in Guangzhou in South China, a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens. Thousands of lanterns are lit, most of them in different shape, forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight.

Lanterns