Mid-Autumn Festival in Suzhou: Here's how to celebrate

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the four major traditional festivals in China. The festival, also known as the Festival of Reunion, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is called "Mid-Autumn" because it falls in the middle of autumn. Originating in the ancient worship of the moon, the festival has for thousands of years embodied people's hopes for family reunion, their longing for loved ones and their wishes for peace of their families and country.

Photo/WeChat ID: suzhouwlv

The Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with many legends. The best known one is the story of Chang'e Flying to the Moon. Other popular tales include Wu Gang Chopping Down the Osmanthus Tree and the Jade Rabbit Pounding Medicine. In 2006, the Mid-Autumn Festival was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list.

In Suzhou, there are assorted ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Walking under the Moon

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After the reunion dinner, families and friends go out together for an evening stroll. Couples may also share their feelings and make vows beneath the moon. At night, the areas around Tiger Hill虎丘山风景名胜区 and Shantang Street山塘街 in Suzhou bustle with visitors. Colorful lanterns illuminate the boats on the waterways, while markets offer an array of handicrafts and souvenirs.

A String of Moons on Shihu Lake

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Shihu Lake, or Stone Lake, is a natural lake in Suzhou. Watching the phenomenon known as "a string of moons" has become a distinctive local tradition. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors stand along the shore and look toward the lake. The reflection of the moon can be seen through all nine arches of Xingchun Bridge石湖-行春桥, making it appear as though a string of moons stretches across the water.

Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gathering

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The Tiger Hill Kunqu Opera Gathering dates back more than 400 years. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, residents, literati and opera aficionados gather at the Thousand-People Stone on Tiger Hill虎丘山风景区-千人石 to admire the moon and perform Kunqu Opera. The gathering provides a platform for Kunqu Opera enthusiasts to exchange skills and ideas and is also an important folk cultural gala in Suzhou.

Suzhou-style Mooncakes

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Mooncakes are a must-eat snack for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Their round shape resembles the full moon and symbolizes reunion. Differences in regional traditions, fillings and flavors have given rise to various styles of mooncakes, including Cantonese, Beijing-style, Chaoshan-style and Yunnan-style mooncakes. Suzhou-style mooncakes are made with flaky pastry and come with a wide range of fillings, including sweet varieties such as rose, red bean paste and mixed nuts, as well as savory varieties such as fresh pork.

Flavors of Autumn

Hairy crabs. Photo/WeChat ID: suzhouwlv

Gorgon nuts. Photo/WeChat ID: suzhouwlv

People in Suzhou follow the principle of "eating what is in season". In addition to mooncakes, family feasts feature numerous seasonal delicacies. Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, prized for their rich roe and abundant meat, are the centerpiece of the dining table; fresh gorgon nuts are fragrant, soft and slightly chewy; osmanthus taro and lotus roots filled with osmanthus and glutinous rice are classic sweet treats; water caltrops are crisp and sweet and can be eaten fresh like fruit. Other seasonal favorites include sugar-roasted chestnuts and ginkgo nuts.