Have you noticed how mooncakes are starting to pop up, like, EVERYWHERE again? But aside from giving and receiving mooncakes, how much do you really know about the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival? This holiday is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This year, it happens to fall on Oct 6. It is a time for family reunions when people gather to admire the full moon, which is believed to be at its brightest and roundest on this day.

But where do mooncakes fit in all of this?

The tradition of eating mooncakes dates back to ancient times. Legend has it that during the Yuan Dynasty, the Han people were oppressed by the Mongolian rulers. In order to revolt against the regime, revolutionaries hid messages in mooncakes and distributed them among the people which later led to the tradition of gifting friends and families with mooncakes. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when people cut open the mooncakes and found the messages, they rose up in rebellion. After the success of the revolution, eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival became a way to commemorate the event.

Over time, mooncakes have evolved into various flavors and styles. They are typically round, symbolizing reunion and completeness. Mooncakes are filled with different ingredients such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, nuts, salted egg yolks, and chocolates. They are not only a delicious treat but also an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival tradition.

This is a time for family gatherings and moon-gazing, and the tradition of eating mooncakes has a rich history and cultural significance. Whether your family is here in Beijing with you or back home in another country, take this long holiday to appreciate the people who’ve made your life that much richer.

Images: Pexels, Freepik

It may not quite feel like it yet, but autumn is already upon us, and this means that Mid Autumn Festival is right around the corner – on Sep 21 to be exact. To know more about the legends of the Mid Autumn Festival, read our previous article here. But on a more practical note, the festival gives us a great opportunity to bring the whole family out on a walk outdoors to appreciate the beautiful full moon, while relating the tragic tale for some cultural immersion.

My own memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival are of crafting lanterns with my sister, and then lighting them up with a candle inside (a highly precarious undertaking considering the lanterns were paper back then!). Lit lantern in hand, we proceeded to a nearby park at sunset to walk around, ending the evening at a pavilion where we shared mooncakes and tea under the shining orb in the sky. This is what we hope to achieve at the Jingkids Mid-Autumn Festival event, which will take place later this month.

In honor of the festivities, we are inviting all kids under 18 to submit a poem about mid-autumn, the moon, or the Mid-Autumn Festival mythology! They are welcome to submit their poem through the following methods – 1) a video recording where you recite the poem 2) a written submission of the poem. Either way, kindly send your works to wechat@beijing-kids.com. Winners will be invited to our live Mid-Autumn Festival event, and take home some lovely prizes.

More details of the event will follow, so stay tuned! In the mean time, get those creative juices flowing to start penning down your poems and send them over to us at wechat@beijing-kids.com before Sep 15!

KEEP READING: Chinese Folklore Special: Mid-Autumn Festival Stories

Images: Pexels

Mooncake eating time is officially here, there’re so many options it’s  hard to narrow down what you should try. We received a mooncake box from the Sheraton Dongcheng and it had numerous flavors both traditional and a gourmet. We tried all flavors of course but my favorite was the coffee, which was really good but this was gourmet as coffee isn’t a traditional filling. Most mooncakes won’t have an English name written for easier differentiation therefore you have to rely on a Chinese friend to help, learned Chinese and can easily tell, or taste to know what you’re eating. It’s good to try at least one of these traditional flavors before the gourmet ones to get your favorite. 

Lotus Seed Paste
This is one of the most traditional flavors out there, the lotus seed paste. The dense paste will leave you dry so washing it down will be necessary but it’s very filling as only one will be enough. This isn’t for everybody.

Sweet Bean Paste
To be totally honest the whole bean paste tastes doesn’t bode well for me. I first tasted in a pastry then a moon cake and didn’t even want to try the ice creams. Of course there are various pastes such as the mung bean, red bean, and black bean. Red bean is a popular choice and might be worth a try to see if you like it or not.

Five Kernels
Nuts and seeds such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, peanuts, sesame seeds, and almonds are another common filling that depends on the regional preference. For Beijing, sweet nuts and seeds are used such as almonds and watermelon. 

Egg yolk
This is one of the popular options that’s readily available as the symbolism of the moon is through the salted egg yolk in the middle.

Green Tea
The healthier option is for cheaters like me who want to be in denial that the candy coated mooncakes are okay to have. The taste is definitely acquired and might have a tea aftertaste left depending on the way it was made.

This was sourced from China Highlights

Photo: miniharm.com

Time flies, and the Mid-Autumn Break is almost here. For those of you who are staying in town, you’ll find plenty of camps that will help keep the kids fit, busy, and having fun.

Atelier Art School Shunyi will be hosting two workshop camps, both of which run from Monday September 28 – Friday October 2. To sign up, email contact@atelier.cn.com

Technology + Art: Life on Mars
Time: 10am-4pm (with a lunch break)
Age: 8-12
Price: RMB 3,200 (lunch included)
Atelier and TKè are offering a unique all day workshop. Over the five days, students will discover 3D printing, electronics, code, and engineering with TKè team. With Atelier’s teacher, students will then learn how to use these new skills to create a whole new city on a distant planet. The workshop will give an exciting, hands-on introduction to many of the key technologies that are changing the world we live in.

Welcome to the Wild Wild West
Time: 10am-12 noon
Age: 5-7
Price: RMB 1,500
Come and conquer the far west! Either being a cowboy or an Indian: we will build an old town with a saloon, a barbershop in the middle of the desert surrounded by tons of gigantic cactus! You will arrive in it with horse! Make your own cowboy hat or a feather headdress and let’s join the Gold rush! You will have to create your pan and search for golden flakes or bigger.

Imagine. Knight School
Wield a sword, fire a bow and arrow, ride a horse, build a trebuchet, make chainmail, and slay a dragon. Sign up at www.imagine-china.com/knight-school

Saturday September 26 – Tuesday 29
Thursday October 1 – Sunday October 4
Age: 7-13
Price: RMB 3,000 (includes transportation, equipment, and training fees)
Venue: Various locations. Transport is provided, with pick-up and drop-off from Beijing Riviera or BSB Sanlitun.

Imagine. Survival Camp
Become prepared for any situation with this fun camp where kids get to learn how to survive in the wilderness. They’ll learn to build shelter and raft, cook on a fire, make tools from nature, and navigate the wilderness. Sign up at www.imagine-china.com/survival-camp

Saturday September 26 – Tuesday September 29
Thursday October 1 – Sunday October 4
Age: 8 – 17
Price: RMB 2,800
Venue: Huairou. Transport is provided, with pick-up and drop-off from Beijing Riviera or BSB Sanlitun.

Sports Beijing Barcelona Pro-Clinic
Sports Beijing will be flying in professional coaches from Barcelona, to run a four day football camp. The camp will be held at the International School of Beijing (ISB) and offers players of 6 years and over some of the best training experience around. The sessions will include on-the-field action and in-the-classroom theory. This clinic is a must for any youngster serious about football training. For more information, email info@sportsbj.com.

Thursday October 1 – Sunday October 4
Time: 9.30am-3pm
Age: 10 and over

Time: 4.15-5.30pm
Age: 6-9

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: courtesy of Atelier, Imagine, Sports Beijing

Mid-autumn festival is coming up, bringing cooler weather – let’s hope – and, of course, mooncakes. The staple gift/ personal treat for the festival can be found in any Chinese shop or supermarket, but there are plenty of other options if you’re looking for something less traditional. Just grab those vouchers before they all sell out.

For info on where to buy mooncakes, see Lauren McCarthy’s full post here on thebeijinger.com.