The Mid-autumn Festival is approaching. As one of the traditional festivals in China, to appreciate the glorious full moon on the Mid-autumn Festival has been the choice of many. In ancient times, the clear and bright moon was a symbol of reunion. Today, the Mid-autumn Festival not only means to have a reunion, but also to enjoy the moonlight in the historical places.

Zhucheng, Shandong

Zhucheng city in the southeast of Shandong Province is the birthplace of the poem The Moon Festival which has enjoyed great fame for a long time. It was written by Su Shi, a famous lyric poet in the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). He built a high terrace and created the poem on top of it. To memorize him, the intellectuals and poets from the following dynasties climbed the terrace and left a lot of masterpieces on it. Therefore, climbing the terrace and enjoying the moon generally became a must on Mid-autumn Day.

Besides, there are many other wonderful places to enjoy moonlight in Shandong. For example, the Thousand-Buddha Cave located in Mt. Liuchang in Yidu county is a recommended place. There is a natural skylight in the cave. On the night of the Mid-autumn Day, through the skylight, visitors can see the moon rise high, shining as brightly as a silver plate.

Emei Mountain, Sichuan

Li Bai, the God of poetry, recommended a tour route of admiring the moon in his poem Moon Song on Emei Mountain. The tour started from Mt.Emei and ended in Chongqing by the Pingqiang River, Qingyi River, and the Three Gorges.

Visitors might as well follow Li Bai`s route to enjoy the moon. Mt. Emei enjoys widespread reputation for its charming scenery. If stop at half way up the peak, visitors can see the moon beam break through rifted clouds.

If going downstream from Mt. Emei to Qingyi River on the festival, visitors can probably see the reflection of the moon appearing fitfully on the ripple waters, creating a mystifying effect to the eye. Crossed over the river, visitors arrive in the Three Gorges. The majestic and beautiful scenery make visitors feel quite agitated in mind.

Chongqing is the final station. The scenery of Chongqing at night is brilliantly colored. It is a great idea to enjoy the moonlight at the Yangtze River side. Besides, taking the cruise ship and travelling on Yangtze and Jialing rivers are also many visitors` choice.

Hainan Island

As the moon rises above the sea, we share the same time though we are far apart. Many Chinese people will think of this poem line when the Mid-autumn Day comes. The poem Looking At The Moon And Thinking Of One Far Away by Zhang Jiuling originated in the country`s eastern coast. Hainan is the best to admire the moonlight at sea in China.

When the night falls, the island becomes very cool and peaceful. The sea looks yellow in the moon light. Visitors can encamp on the beach, eat the fresh coconuts, buy sea food from the local fishmen and pick up some unique handicraft. Lit a campfire and have the buffet meals. Harmonizing with the wash of the waves, the moon comes up slowly. What a pleasure it is!

Tianshui, Gansu

The lines Tonight we start the season of white dew; The moon is just as bright as in my homeland in the poem Thinking of My Brothers on a Moonlight Night written by Du Fu expressed the hope of travelers on their way back to their hometowns. The poem was composed in Tianshui, Gansu.

Maiji Mountain, located in Tianshui city, is a typical Danxia Geomorphologic Landscape. The Maiji Grotto is listed as one of the four large grotto groups in China. The landscape around Maiji Mountain is very beautiful, with green cypresses and pines, wild flowers and flourishing grass on the chain of mountains. There are over 7,200 clay sculptures found in 194 grottoes. One of the remarkable characteristics lies in that the locations of the grottoes are very breath-taking, as most of them are chiseled on cliffs and people can only access the grottoes through the overhanging plank roads among the grottoes.

Yangzhou, Jiangsu

The poem Thoughts in a Tranquil Night written by the famous poet Li Bai appeals to most people. It expressed the homesickness of the poet when he was very far away from home. Yangzhou, the birthplace of this poem, is another recommended place to admire the moon.

The delicate gardens, bridges and poetic cottages in Yangzhou city form a simple and tranquil nature. On Mid-autumn Day, when the moon rises, visitors can have a cup of tea and taste the local snacks in the classical courtyards or pavilions while enjoying the moonlight.

Besides moon-admiration, to try the local delicacies is also a must when in Yangzhou. The famous local snacks include the Sanding Buns, Che`ao Shaomai (steamed dumplings with meat fillings) and sticky candy.