Colors of Hangzhou - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Many important dates for the Chinese are celebrated on a large scale in Hangzhou. For example, one of the largest and most colorful Dragon Boat Festival across the country is held here. No one knows exactly how this holiday came about. Legends say that a story that happened more than two thousand years ago was the beginning. The official and poet Qu Yuan knew of the success of the siege of the capital of his state. He wrote the last poem and threw himself into the river. The peasants, who respected the dignitary, wanted to save him. They started throwing rice balls into the water to do this. They wanted to distract the fish from Qu Yuan. It is believed that this is the origin of the tradition of eating Zongzi at the Dragon Boat Festival. These are rice balls wrapped in leaves. Some of the peasants tried to get to the poet by boat. This was what gave rise to the modern race on the water surface. No one knows whether this legend is true or not. Today, the Dragon Boat Festival includes not only the actual competition but also a parade of beautifully decorated boats, costumed processions, traditional dances, and theatrical performances. So if you go to Hangzhou in June, you should try to get to this holiday.

Travelers who plan to come to the city in the second half of September or early October should pay attention to the opportunity to visit the Mid-Autumn Festival. The scale of festivities on this day is only slightly inferior to the scale of solemn processions during the lunar New Year. All give each other round gingerbread mooncakes this day. They symbolize the moon and fertility. The Chinese prefer to spend the evening of Mid-Autumn Day with their families. They're admiring the moon. But they don't mind having fun before then.

The main theme of the holiday is the harvest. Fairs open all over the city. Modern and traditional dishes are sold on the streets. Symbols of the moon and images of an archer are seen everywhere. The legend is related to the archer. It gave rise to festivities. 10 suns at once rose above the earth once. They almost ruined all life with their heat. An archer named Hou shot down nine of them with his arrows. He received the elixir of immortality for this from the gods. The shooter's wife Chang'e drank the drink. She moved to the moon. She's been living there alone since. It is to her that incense is burned in temples and dances and songs are dedicated on Mid-Autumn Day. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The most important Chinese holiday is celebrated grandly here. It's the Lunar New Year. The date of its celebration depends on the lunar calendar. This is usually the end of January or February. If you get to Hangzhou at this time, you can see how the city is literally buried in red flowers, costumed processions go through the streets, and incense is burned everywhere. No one sleeps on New Year’s Eve. Mass celebrations begin the next day. They end only on the Day of Sky Lanterns. Thousands of flashlights soar up. They show the way to the spirits of the ancestors who return to their world after the celebrations with their descendants.

Fans of geek culture should visit the International Comics and Animation Festival. It is considered the largest event in China. The festival has been held in Hangzhou since 2004. A cosplay contest, private anime screenings, meetings with manga and comics artists, sessions dedicated to various aspects of animation development, and masterclasses from famous writers and screenwriters are only part of the festival's program. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase the latest editions of their favorite comic book, as well as many fan products based on their favorite stories. The festival takes place in early May.

Fans of sports events should visit the Qianjiang International Festival. It takes place from August 17 to August 19 in the town of Yanguan located nearby the city of Haining. The festival takes place during the tides of the Qianjiang River. A bright performance of musicians awaits the participants of the event at the opening of the festival. Skydiving, water skiing tricks, Jet Ski rides, and diving are included in the program of competitions and demonstrations.

You can see performances of singing and dancing groups from all over the world during the International Festival in Hangzhou. Not only concerts but also meetings, fairs, colorful award ceremonies for winners in a particular industry are held as part of the festival.

Fans of ancient Chinese instruments should visit the Festival of the Zhejiang Guqin School. It takes place in October. The beautiful Osmanthus Flower Festival also takes place in the fall. Its history goes back more than 16 centuries. A large-scale Chrysanthemum Festival is also held here. Hundreds of beautiful flower arrangements appear in all major city parks at this time.