The Chongyang Festival (重阳节), also known as the Double Ninth Festival (重九), is a traditional festival celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. In 2022, the Chongyang Festival will be observed on October 4th.

The legacy of the Chongyang Festival can be traced back to thousands of years ago, when it was tied to ceremonial practices and ancestor worship. As double-ninth is pronounced the same as longevity (久) in Chinese, the festival has overtime evolved to become a special day for expressing respect towards the elderly.

What are the traditions of the Chongyang Festival?

In modern times, the Chongyang Festival brings an ideal opportunity for many families and friends to embrace the beauty of nature together through mountain climbing. In fact, this mountain climbing tradition has earned Chongyang yet another name – the Height Ascending Festival. 

As the festival often coincides with the full blossom of chrysanthemums, Chongyang has become a great occasion for appreciating chrysanthemum flowers and consuming wine and tea made from chrysanthemum. Chongyang cake (重阳糕), a nine-layered dessert typically made of chrysanthemum, jujubes, and pecans, is also enjoyed during this special occasion.