LOCAL EXPERIENCE

Traditional Festivals in China

Follow the drumbeats, wander through lantern-lit streets and discover celebrations shaped by local traditions.

On this page

Chinese New Year in Chaoshan

In Chaoshan, a region of eastern Guangdong that includes Shantou, Chaozhou and Jieyang, Chinese New Year spills into the streets. Yingge dancers move to pounding drums, with painted faces, wooden sticks and coordinated steps. Families and visitors gather along the route, drawn by the sound and energy of the procession.

Between performances, leave time for something to eat and a wander through the surrounding lanes. Watching neighbours greet one another is part of the pleasure: the celebration belongs to the people who live here. Events take place on different days across the region, so check a local programme to find a procession that fits your visit.

Yingge dancers holding wooden batons beside white and red lion costumes and a large drum in front of an ancestral hall — User-supplied editorial illustration · Not a photograph documenting a specific festival programme.

Festival Traditions Across China

China’s festivals are rooted in family life, the changing seasons and the traditions of different communities. Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival bring festive streets and glowing displays; the Dragon Boat Festival draws crowds to the water. Mid-Autumn centres on reunion and mooncakes, with some places also offering lantern walks and evening events.

Regional celebrations add their own character. In Xishuangbanna, water splashing welcomes the Dai New Year; on Inner Mongolia’s grasslands, Naadam brings horse racing, wrestling and archery into focus. Torchlit gatherings, Zhuang folk songs and Miao festive dress offer other glimpses of local life. Start with a celebration that interests you, then choose where to experience it.

Timing Your Visit

Many festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change each year. Public events may run before or after the festival day, and some celebrations have no single fixed date. Check the local programme before booking, and allow extra time for popular events.