The Chongyang Festival (重阳节 – Chóngyáng jié), also known as the Double Nine Festival or Festival of the Elders, is a very beautiful celebration that is part of Chinese culture, to celebrate the elders and ancestors. It is held on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar; Therefore, its date varies every year, usually in the month of October. On this day, sons and daughters take the opportunity to meet their parents and grandparents and keep them company.
During this festival, it is very common to eat Chongyang cakes, also called “double nine” cakes. This is a traditional cake made from rice flour and sugar, decorated with almonds and chestnuts. Eating it is considered to bring good luck and is often accompanied by chrysanthemum wine.
In addition to eating cakes, they often do various activities to pay their respects to the elderly, for example, they celebrate the day by hiking in the mountains carrying a bag of zhuyu, a fragrant flower, which represents hope in life. Also, they hold various events for the elderly, including theatrical, literary, and musical performances in places such as nursing homes and hospitals. Another gesture of respect from the young to the elderly is to serve tea and give massages.
According to the regions of China, the celebration of Chongyang may be a little different. In southern China, the main activity on this day is kite flying. In Hong Kong, the festival is called Chung Yeung, and it is a day to worship ancestors. On this day, people clean the graves of their ancestors, burn incense, and offer food at the cemeteries. In Beijing, it is customary to place branches and leaves of chrysanthemums on the doors and windows of houses in the belief that this will bring luck. Whereas Shanghai hosts the Chrysanthemum Fair in the Yuyuan Garden during the Chongyang Festival.