Chongyang Festival (Double Ninth Festival)
The 9th day of the 9th lunar month โ a traditional festival for mountain climbing and honoring the elderly
๐ History & Origins
The Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival, Autumn Drying Festival, or "Stepping on Autumn" Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar and is a traditional Chinese festival. In the Book of Changes, the number nine is a yang (positive) number, and when two nines coincide, it is called "Chongyang" (Double Yang); because both the day and the month are nine, it is also called "Chongjiu" (Double Nine). The ancient Chinese believed that "nine-nine returns to truth and marks a new beginning," making Double Ninth an auspicious day. Traditional customs include climbing mountains to pray for blessings, enjoying autumn outings, admiring chrysanthemums, wearing zhuyu (dogwood) sprigs, worshipping gods and ancestors, and holding banquets to pray for longevity. These traditions have been passed down to the present day, with the added significance of honoring the elderly โ celebrating seniors with festive gatherings and expressing gratitude. Mountain climbing to enjoy autumn scenery and paying respect to the elderly are the two major themes of the modern Chongyang Festival. The festival originated from celestial worship in remote antiquity, became established during the Western Han Dynasty, and flourished from the Tang Dynasty onward. In 1989, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month was designated as "Seniors' Day," promoting a culture of respect, care, and assistance for the elderly throughout society. In 2006, the Chongyang Festival was inscribed on the first list of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
๐ Traditional Customs
What to do
- โฆClimbing heights and enjoying distant views
- โฆAdmiring chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine
- โฆWearing dogwood (zhuyu) sprigs
- โฆEating Chongyang cake
- โฆActivities honoring the elderly
- โฆFlying paper kites
What to eat
โ ๏ธ Things to note
- !Avoid saying 'Happy Holiday' (instead say 'Good health' โ as the day has memorial overtones)
- !Avoid giving chrysanthemums as gifts (often associated with funerals)
โ๏ธ Travel Impact
The Chongyang Festival is not a public holiday and has relatively little impact on tourism. However, the crisp autumn weather makes it an excellent time for mountain climbing and leaf-peeping. If Chongyang falls on a weekend, famous mountains and hilltop scenic spots see more visitors. Many scenic spots offer discounts or free admission for senior citizens, drawing more elderly tourists.
๐ก Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
Great for mountain climbing and autumn scenery โ take safety precautions
Many scenic spots offer senior citizen discounts or free entry
Autumn temperatures vary significantly between day and night โ dress in layers
Experience traditional customs such as admiring chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine
๐ Recommended Experiences
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Climb to the summit and admire the autumn panorama
Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan), Beijing
View the famous red autumn leaves
Kaifeng
Attend the Chrysanthemum Cultural Festival
Qixia Mountain, Nanjing
Enjoy maple leaves while hiking to the peak