Every 15th day of the 8th month of Chinese calendar is Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the two most important festivals in China (the other being the Spring Festival). In ancient China, people celebrated the summer harvest on that day. This festival has a history of over 3000 years. That day is also the Autumn Equinox of the solar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. So it is also called Moon Festival.

Alike Spring Festival, Chinese people reunite on that day to celebrate the summer harvest and also appreciate the moon. There are kinds of celebrating activities, such as:

  • All family members gather in the yard or balcony and enjoy moon cakes under the moon;
  • Burn incenses to worship Chang'e -- Chinese moon goddess;
  • Carry brightly-lit lanterns;
  • Put pomelo rinds on one's head;
  • Climb up tower and lighten lanterns;
  • Fire Dragon dances;

Among these activities, the most widely practice is eating moon cakes and watching the full moon. During the long history, many poets wrote numerous poems pertinent to Mid-Autumn Festival. And gradually people concluded some best places for enjoying the full moon view. And here ShanghaiFocus recommend you four of them. Pay a visit to one or two these places will get you better experience of Chinese culture.

Come to Huangshan during Mid-Autumn when the weather is cool and tree leaves turn red. It is also visitors’ fun to look for wild berries in autumn Huangshan. Meandering in moonlight and light fog, feel the gentle, pure and serene aspect of the grand Huangshan.

Huangshan 3 Day Tour from Shanghai
Hangzhou West Lake has been regarded as one of the best places to sightsee Mid-Autumn moon since long time ago. Among the famous Ten Scenes of West Lake, two of them are relevant to moon.
Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. And also many tourists chose to climb up to the Chenghuang Pavilion to view the moon on Mid-Autumn Day.

Hangzhou 2-Day Tour from Shanghai by Train
Known as China Moon City, lots of poems and songs are related with Yangzhou’s moon views. On Mid-Autumn Day, people take cruise on Slender West Lake. Passing by Five-Pavilion Bridge, get the amazing view of 15 moons (the moon in sky and moon reflection on the lake). Or you may climb up the Qiling Pagoda in Daming Temple and feel the moonlight.

Yangzhou 2-Day Tour from Shanghai
Winding rivers, featured residences, quaint bridges, serene atmosphere, and silver moonlight, people hardly still feel exhausted when they are in such as scenario. All these you may get in China water towns like Wuzhen, ZhouZhuang, Xitang and etc.

Wuzhen 2 Day Tour from Shanghai