Chinese Festival

Our operating destinations cover Mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. Boasting long histories and rich multicultural heritage, these regions feature a great variety of traditional festivals. Classified by origin, local festivals can be divided into agricultural, religious and social festivals. By theme, they include harvest celebrations, sacrificial ceremonies, commemorative events, recreational activities and national celebrations.

These time-honored traditions have been passed down through generations. Even as modern lifestyles evolve, festivals still hold a vital place in local people’s daily lives. Many traditions now blend modern elements while keeping classic customs, making celebrations more lively and diverse. Customs and activities also differ slightly across regions and ethnic groups, creating unique cultural charms everywhere. Besides widely celebrated national festivals, numerous distinctive ethnic festivals are held locally, which serve as important symbols of cultural identity and regional characteristics.

China is one of the world’s four great ancient civilizations, with a history of more than 5,000 years and a wealth of well-known traditional festivals.

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) It is the most significant festival in China, just like Christmas in Western countries. Families get together for big feasts, hang red lanterns and paste festive couplets. Lion dances, temple fairs and various performances can be seen across the country, filling everywhere with joy.

Lantern Festival Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, it marks the end of Spring Festival. People enjoy beautiful lantern shows, solve lantern riddles and eat glutinous rice balls, which stand for family reunion.

Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) This is a day to pay respect to ancestors. It is also a perfect time for spring outings, flying kites and enjoying the fresh scenery of early spring.

Dragon Boat Festival People hold exciting dragon boat races and eat rice dumplings on this day, in memory of the ancient patriotic poet Qu Yuan.

Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day) Regarded as China’s traditional lovers’ festival, it carries beautiful romantic legends and has become a popular celebration for couples.

Mid-Autumn Festival Comparable to Thanksgiving in the West, this festival centers on family reunion. People admire the full moon and share mooncakes with family members.

Double Ninth Festival It is a traditional festival to respect and care for the elderly. People also go hiking and enjoy chrysanthemums during this time.

There are plenty of colorful ethnic festivals across the country, such as the Double Third Festival of the Zhuang people in Guangxi and the Sho Dun Festival in Xizang. These unique events showcase distinctive local folk culture.

Major public holidays include Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.

Combining traditional Chinese culture and international styles, Hong Kong has a unique festive atmosphere.

Chinese New Year Victoria Harbour hosts spectacular New Year fireworks. Local people visit flower markets, watch lion dances and pray for good fortune in temples.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival A world-famous local folk festival on Cheung Chau Island. The bun tower climbing competition, traditional parades and Taoist rituals are the highlights of this grand event.

Mid-Autumn Festival & Lantern Festival Traditional celebrations are well preserved. Large-scale lantern carnivals are held in major parks, attracting crowds of locals and visitors.

Thai festivals are deeply influenced by Buddhism and local folk customs, full of joy and religious features.

Songkran (Thai New Year / Water Festival) Held in mid-April, it is Thailand’s most lively festival. People splash water on one another to wash away bad luck and send best wishes for the new year.

Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festival Taking place in November, locals float decorated baskets on rivers and release sky lanterns at night, praying for happiness and letting go of troubles.

Vietnamese festivals inherit East Asian traditions and form their own local characteristics.

Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) It is the biggest festival of the year. Families decorate homes with peach blossoms, worship ancestors and gather for reunion dinners. Children receive lucky money as well.

Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) Also known as the Children’s Festival. Kids parade with colorful lanterns, while families taste mooncakes and admire the bright moon together.

Most festivals in Myanmar are related to Theravada Buddhism, with strong religious and local features.

Thingyan (Myanmar Water Festival) The Myanmar New Year celebration in mid-April. Water splashing is the main activity, symbolizing purification and new beginnings.

Tazaungdaing Festival (Festival of Lights) Celebrated at the end of the rainy season. Locals launch paper hot-air balloons and light countless lanterns, creating a gorgeous night scene all over the country.