Mid-Autumn Festival at West Lake, Hangzhou

Background

The Mid-Autumn Festival grew out of the ancient custom of worshipping and admiring the moon on autumn nights, and the legend of Chang'e flying to the moon is still told today. At Mid-Autumn, Hangzhou families often set out mooncakes and fruit to honour and admire the moon and enjoy osmanthus-flavoured treats. Two of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, are both famous for moon viewing. The stone pagodas of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon stand in the lake, and boating among them on Mid-Autumn night is especially evocative. Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake lies at the western end of the Bai Causeway, and its stone tablet bears the scene's name in the calligraphy of the Qing emperor Kangxi. Strolling along the Su and Bai causeways on Mid-Autumn night and watching children carry lanterns is a popular way to enjoy the moon at West Lake.

Local customs

• Take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon on Mid-Autumn night
• view the moon at Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake
• stroll along the Su and Bai causeways
• carry a lantern while moon viewing
• enjoy mooncakes and osmanthus treats

Travel tips

• The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, so its Gregorian date changes every year
• the year's Mid-Autumn events at West Lake are subject to official announcement. The lakeside is very crowded on Mid-Autumn night, so take the metro or a bus rather than driving
• boats involve queues, and schedules and fares are subject to official announcement.

2027 schedule

• The 2027 Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 15 (a Wednesday)
• the evening's events at West Lake are pending official announcement.