Asian countries have rich traditions, festivities, mythology and great reverence towards the spirits. The Chinese are no exception in this regard and all year round there would be some kind of occasion to celebrate, reminisce or commemorate. The Chinese follow the lunar calendar; a calendar that is based on the movements of the moon. Hence have their own day for celebrating the New Year and the changes between seasons.
The Chongyang festival or the Double Ninth Festival falls on the ninth day of the nine month of the lunar calendar.. For the last several years this has been in the month of October and is projected to be so in 2011 and 2012 as well. The exact date may vary depending on the lunar calendar. This particular day is acknowledged as potentially hazardous to the well being of people; hence it was customary for the Chinese to take up different tricks to ward off any possible evils. Due to these activities undertaken by the Chinese hundreds of years ago, this national holiday has derived different names.
It is known as the Height Ascending Festival as olden day natives used to mount high cliffs or peaks in order to avoid catching any diseases that may spread around on the day. The practice of climbing to the summit of a hill still remains and has evolved to a hiking competition in some parts of China.
As another protective measure chrysanthemum wine is drunk and the zhuyu plant is worn as they are believed to have sanitization properties that cure people from illnesses. Chrysanthemum exhibitions are held in towns for countrymen to appreciate their beauty and national importance. Bakeries sell rice cakes, which sometimes go on to have nine layers and little flags of zhuyu plants. For some, the day is complete only after they pay their respects at the graves of their ancestors.
Traditions protect the identity of a nation and its inhabitants, to appreciate the feeling of being a true Chinaman; perhaps this is one festivity a tourist should be part of. A bit of pampering from a
Tianjin hotel while you are in China can only help you appreciate their culture more. Raffles Tianjin is a remarkable
luxury hotel in Tianjin that one may keep in mind for accommodation.
