You'll find many festivals and fun days out for all the family in this friendly city, many celebrating traditional local legends.
Also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, this Chinese national holiday occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, so usually early in June, close to the summer solstice. Festival goers can enjoy sporting events such as the dragon boat race. Traditional activities such as egg stand making on this day are believed to bring good luck. The wearing of perfumed bags on long walks is also popular because it is believed to promote good health.
The locals also call this Grave Sweeping Day. Occurring on 5th April, this is the day people pay respect to their ancestors by sweeping their graves and leaving tributes such as flowers. Some people even burn 'hell money', which they believe will be used to pay off their ancestors' debts in the afterlife.
The Moon Festival celebrates the day that Chang-O, a beautiful Chinese woman, first flew to the moon, thus becoming the Moon Goddess, according to legend. On this day, usually falling on 15th September, people give recognition to the Moon Goddess by eating moon cakes, drinking wine and playing games with their families. Some also make offerings of tea, fruit and hell money.
On the 15th day of the lunar calendar, pop down to the park to watch the display of colourful lanterns, and don't forget to buy one to let off yourself! This is also traditionally the day that single ladies look for a husband, so love may well be in the air...