Chinese Festivals and Customs
There are many traditional festivals in China, so there are many customs and celebrations. Among these festivals, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival are called the four traditional festivals in China.
Qingming Festival falls between April 4 and April 6 each year. During the Qingming Festival, people visit tombs to commemorate their deceased relatives and friends. At the same time, people can also go hiking and enjoy the beauty of spring. Both tomb-visit and hiking convey the Chinese people's emphasis on life. Therefore, for the Chinese, Qingming Festival is both a solemn and happy festival.
Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people eat zongzi (sticky rice dumpling) and watch dragon boat races. Legend has it that a long time ago, there was a patriotic poet named Qu Yuan, who committed suicide by drowning himself in the river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. After people knew this, some rowed to search for his body; some dropped rice balls, eggs and other food into the river, hoping that fish and shrimps would be too full to eat Qu Yuan's body. This is the origin of Dragon Boat Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th of August in the lunar calendar. It is called the Mid-Autumn Festival because it falls in the middle of autumn. On Mid-Autumn Festival, people eat moon cakes, watch the moon, guess riddles and celebrate reunion with their families. There are many interesting legends about Mid-Autumn Festival, among which the story of "Chang’e flying to the moon" is widely known.
Spring Festival is the most important festival in China. Many people call the celebration of the Spring Festival "Guonian". The period from December 23 to January 15 of the second month in the lunar calendar can be called "Guonian". During this period, people sweep the dust, which means cleaning the room, post spring couplets, set off firecrackers, etc. The younger generation give the elders new year greetings, while the elders give the younger generation a red envelope, that is, gift money for the new year.
Chinese festivals are important days in Chinese people’s life. Understanding Chinese festivals and customs can not only help foreigners to better understand Chinese history and culture, but also help them integrate into Chinese life faster.
中国节日与风俗
中国的传统节日很多，因此节日的风俗习惯和庆祝活动也多种多样。在这些节日中，清明节、端午节、中秋节和春节被称为中国四大传统节日。
清明节在每年的4月4日至4月6日之间。清明节的时候，人们要去扫墓，纪念死去的亲人朋友。同时，人们也可以去踏青，欣赏春天的美景。扫墓也好，踏青也好，都传递出中国人对生命的重视。因此对中国人来说，清明节既是个庄重的节日，也是个快乐的节日。
端午节在农历五月初五。端午节的时候，人们会吃粽子，看龙舟竞赛。传说很久以前，有一位爱国诗人叫屈原，屈原在五月初五那一天投江身死。人们知道后，有的划船寻找他的尸身；有的拿出饭团、鸡蛋等食物投入江中，希望鱼虾吃饱后不要去咬屈原的身体。这就是端午节的由来。
中秋节在农历八月十五，因为正好在秋季中间，所以叫中秋节。中秋节这天，人们会和家人一起吃月饼、赏月、猜灯谜，庆祝团圆时光。中秋节有许多有趣的传说，其中“嫦娥奔月”的故事家喻户晓。
春节是中国最重要的节日。很多人把过春节叫做“过年”，从腊月二十三到第二年的正月十五，这段时间都可以叫做“过年”。过年期间，人们要扫尘，也就是打扫房间、贴春联、放爆竹等等。晚辈要给长辈拜年，长辈则会给晚辈红包，也就是给压岁钱。
中国的节日是中国人生活中的重要日子。了解中国的节日及风俗习惯，不但能让外国人更好地了解中国历史及文化，也能帮助他们更快地融入中国人的生活。