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Mid Autumn Festival in China: Lanterns, Mooncakes & Good Cheer

Global Team

27 Jun 2025 - 7 min read

I absolutely loved discovering the mid autumn day—it felt like stepping into a magical evening full of light and meaning. I first heard people call it the Chinese New Year lanterns in China, and once I saw the glowing lanterns floating across the sky, I understood why! For me, the heart of it all was when families gathered under the moon, enjoying delicious mooncakes and sharing stories. I chose to celebrate Mooncake Festival with locals, and the warmth and joy they shared made the experience unforgettable. I found the symbolism of the full moon, representing reunion and togetherness, especially touching. The atmosphere was cheerful, with kids laughing, elders chatting, and everyone just soaking up the moment. If you're ever in China during this time, I highly recommend joining in—you’ll feel like part of something truly special.

One of the most memorable times I visited Beijing was during mid autumn day celebrates with so much warmth and meaning. The China mid autumn holiday is a proper national celebration, and I was lucky enough to experience it firsthand. I noticed people sharing mooncakes everywhere—little round pastries filled with things like lotus seed paste or red bean, which I actually grew to enjoy after a few tries! The whole city felt a bit more festive, with lanterns hanging in shopfronts and families heading out to admire the full moon. During the China mooncake festival holiday, locals make time for family, traditions, and food, which I found really heartwarming, especially being so far from home.

If you’re curious and want to celebrate the Mooncake Festival yourself or learn more about what makes the Mid Autumn Festival in China so special (especially that magical lantern festival in China), then keep reading—I’ve got loads more to share!

When is the Mid Autumn Festival in China?

I usually check the lunar calendar for this because the date changes every year. The Mid Autumn Festival in China typically falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month—which usually means sometime in September or early October. In 2025, for example, it's on October 6th. I always mark my calendar so I don’t miss out on the mooncakes and lantern magic!

Where I Love to Celebrate Mid Autumn in China

If you're thinking about where to celebrate the Mooncake Festival in China, these places have given me the best memories:

Beijing – I joined a moon-watching event at the Summer Palace and it felt so calm and beautiful. The full moon looked unreal above the lake.

Shanghai – I enjoyed an evening cruise on the Huangpu River, watching colourful lanterns glow along the Bund. So dreamy.

Hangzhou – I once walked around West Lake during Mid Autumn Festival lanterns, lanterns reflecting off the water and mooncakes everywhere—such a chilled, joyful vibe.

Hong Kong – Victoria Park gets packed for the lantern festival in China, and I saw the coolest giant lantern sculptures there. Perfect mix of tradition and creativity.

Xian – I joined a cultural fair near the ancient city wall where I got to try handmade mooncakes and watch live performances.

Mid-Autumn Festival Traditions and What I Do to Celebrate

Enjoying a Big Dinner with Family – Sharing a hot meal under the moonlight always feels extra special. I look forward to this every year.

Eating Mooncakes – Whether sweet or savoury, I can never stop at just one. I usually buy every Chinese festival moon cake way too many but have no regrets.

When I was in Beijing during the mid moon festival, someone shared the story behind it with me, and I found it quite lovely. It’s all about Chang’e, the moon goddess, who ended up living on the moon after drinking a potion meant for her husband. People say she still watches over us from up there, which made the full moon feel a bit more magical that night. During the moon festival moon cake traditions, families gather, give thanks, and eat mooncakes as a way to honour the legend and celebrate reunion. I thought the story added such a nice layer of meaning to the whole experience—especially when nibbling on a mooncake under the glowing moon.

Appreciating the Moon – I make a little ritual out of sitting outside with a warm drink, gazing at the moon—it feels peaceful and grounding.

Worshipping the Moon – I once joined a traditional ceremony in a small village and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the roots of the festival.

Lantern Making and Carrying – I’ve made my own lantern before and carried it through a local park—it’s a lovely thing to do with kids or friends.

Modern Celebrations – These days, I also send digital red envelopes on WeChat and sometimes take a short trip during the 3-day public holiday to relax and recharge.

Where I’ve Watched Lantern Festivals in China

Autumn lantern festival in China during Mid Autumn is absolutely magical and I’ve found some amazing spots for it:

Jiufen Ancient Town in Foshan – It’s not too touristy, and I had a great time wandering through narrow alleys lit by soft red lanterns.

Qianmen Street in Beijing – So many people, so much colour, and such a buzz! I even joined a lantern riddles game.

Tang Paradise in Xian – The Tang-style lanterns are next-level stunning and I couldn’t stop taking photos.

Chengdu Jinli Ancient Street – I stumbled on a local lantern fair with music and storytelling—it felt like stepping back in time.

So if you’re planning to celebrate the Mooncake Festival or just want to experience the autumn lantern festival in China in all its charm, I’d totally recommend visiting during this season. It’s full of heart, light, and those unforgettable little moments.

Mid-Autumn Festival Greetings I Love to Use

When I celebrate Chinese mooncake day in China, one of my favourite parts is sharing kind wishes with family and friends. I’ve found that a thoughtful greeting goes a long way, especially during a festival that’s all about reunion, warmth, and appreciating the moon.

The most popular one I hear and use all the time is: "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!", or in Chinese, 中秋节快乐 (Zhōngqiū Jié kuàilè!). It’s simple, friendly, and always puts a smile on someone’s face. I usually send this to everyone—friends, colleagues, even my favourite fruit vendor!

When I want to add a bit more feeling, I love this line:
“Wishing us a long life to share the graceful moonlight, though hundreds of miles apart.”
In Chinese: 但愿人长久，千里共婵娟 (Dàn yuàn rén chángjiǔ, qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān).
I once sent this to a friend overseas, and she told me it made her feel like we were sharing the same moon even from different corners of the world. That really stuck with me.

And when I want to wish someone a little extra luck and happiness, I use this one:
“Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May the round moon bring you a happy family and a successful future.”
In Chinese: 祝福中秋佳节快乐，月圆人圆事事圆满 (Zhùfú Zhōngqiū jiā jié kuàilè, yuè yuán rén yuán shìshì yuánmǎn).
I once wrote this inside a mooncake box for my boss, and he really appreciated the gesture. It felt warm and sincere without being overly formal.

Tips I’ve Found Handy When Travelling During the Mid Autumn Festival in China

I’ve travelled during the mid autumn festival in China a few times now, and each trip has taught me something new. If you're planning to celebrate the mooncake festival on the go, here are a few tips that have made my experience smoother:

I always book my transport and accommodation early—seriously, spots fill up fast with it being a public holiday.

I keep a few mooncakes in my bag, especially for long train rides or bus journeys. It feels festive and keeps me fuelled.

I double-check train station and airport timings, because I’ve seen crowds cause small delays.

I try to stay flexible with my plans—some of my best moments came from just wandering local parks or night markets.

I carry a small lantern or buy one locally, just for fun—it makes me feel part of the celebration, even when I’m far from home.

How I Avoid the Crowds (Without Missing the Fun)

The mid autumn festival in China is beautiful, but I’ve definitely found myself stuck in crowds before. Here’s how I’ve learned to dodge the worst of it while still enjoying the lantern festival in China:

I visit the big attractions early in the morning—by 10am, it’s usually buzzing already.

I look for lesser-known spots to watch the full moon, like small lakes or quiet rooftops.

I avoid public transport at peak hours and take strolls through local neighbourhoods instead.

I book a stay just outside the city centre, where it’s a bit quieter and still well connected.

I often choose the day before or after the public holiday to travel in or out—much easier and way less chaotic.

Where I’ve Stayed (And Would Gladly Stay Again!) During the Festival

These are some places I’ve stayed—or have on my wishlist—for celebrating the mooncake festival that offer a lovely mix of comfort, charm, and great views for moon gazing:

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu – I stayed here once and the view of the city at night during the lantern festival in China was just breathtaking.

Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel, Xian – The location near the ancient wall made moon-viewing feel extra magical.

Park Hyatt, Hangzhou – I loved how close it was to West Lake and the lantern reflections on the water were unreal.

Waldorf Astoria, Beijing – The rooftop bar gave me the perfect spot to appreciate the moon with a tea in hand.

The Upper House, Hong Kong – I had a peaceful, stylish stay and enjoyed the lantern displays in Victoria Park nearby.

Banyan Tree, Lijiang – If you want to celebrate mooncake festival somewhere calm with mountain views, this is my dream pick.

If you're planning to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival in China like I did—lanterns, mooncakes, and magical moonlit nights—I'd totally recommend checking out the Traveloka app. I found it super handy for booking everything in one go—flights, hotels, even attraction tickets. It saved me loads of time and I could compare options without hopping between websites. I also picked up some extra info about local events and celebrations while scrolling through, which helped me plan better. So if you're sorting your festival getaway, I’d say Traveloka makes it all feel a lot easier and way more exciting.

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