Festival Journeys

Festivals in China are more than holidays—they’re living expressions of history, family, and belief. From the firecrackers of Lunar New Year to the moonlit gatherings of Mid-Autumn Festival, each celebration offers a unique window into the soul of Chinese culture. Festival journeys invite travelers to experience these moments firsthand: to join the crowds, taste the seasonal flavors, and feel the heartbeat of tradition. To travel during a festival is to see China at its most joyful, colorful, and connected.

Major Traditional Festivals to Explore

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

  • When: Late January or early February
  • Where: Nationwide, especially Beijing, Xi’an, and rural villages
  • Experience: Family reunion dinners, red lanterns, dragon dances, fireworks, and temple fairs
  • Meaning: Renewal, prosperity, and honoring ancestors

Lantern Festival

  • When: 15th day of the Lunar New Year
  • Where: Pingxi (Taiwan), Nanjing, Xi’an
  • Experience: Lantern displays, riddle games, glutinous rice balls (tangyuan)
  • Meaning: Light, unity, and the end of New Year celebrations

Dragon Boat Festival

  • When: 5th day of the 5th lunar month (May–June)
  • Where: Hangzhou, Suzhou, Qu Yuan’s hometown in Hubei
  • Experience: Dragon boat races, zongzi (rice dumplings), herbal traditions
  • Meaning: Loyalty, health, and remembrance

Mid-Autumn Festival

  • When: 15th day of the 8th lunar month (September–October)
  • Where: Suzhou gardens, Guilin riverside, family homes
  • Experience: Mooncakes, lanterns, moon gazing, poetry readings
  • Meaning: Reunion, reflection, and gratitude

Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day)

  • When: April 4–5
  • Where: Ancestral villages, countryside, cemeteries
  • Experience: Grave visits, kite flying, spring outings
  • Meaning: Honoring ancestors, renewal, and remembrance

Ethnic & Regional Festivals

Torch Festival (Yi People – Yunnan & Sichuan)

  • Experience: Bonfires, wrestling, singing, and dancing
  • Meaning: Prayers for harvest and protection

Lusheng Festival (Miao People – Guizhou)

  • Experience: Traditional reed-pipe music, silver costumes, courtship rituals
  • Meaning: Celebration of identity and community

Water-Splashing Festival (Dai People – Xishuangbanna)

  • Experience: Water fights, parades, elephant dances
  • Meaning: Blessings, purification, and joy

Why Travel During Festivals?

  • Cultural Immersion: Festivals reveal values, beliefs, and social bonds
  • Local Connection: Meet families, join village rituals, and share meals
  • Seasonal Beauty: Many festivals align with spring blossoms, autumn moons, or summer rivers
  • Unique Experiences: From floating lanterns to racing boats, each festival offers something unforgettable

Festivals are not just events—they’re invitations to participate.

Festival journeys are among the most meaningful ways to experience China. They bring together food, music, family, and faith in moments that are both timeless and alive. Whether you’re watching fireworks light up a winter sky or sharing mooncakes under a full moon, you’re not just observing—you’re becoming part of the story.