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Updated by Joanna James on Mar 16, 2024
Headline for Top 5 Festivals in Xian You Shouldn’t Miss – Enjoy the richness of Chinese celebrations
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Joanna James Joanna James
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Top 5 Festivals in Xian You Shouldn’t Miss – Enjoy the richness of Chinese celebrations

A nation as vast as China holds the distinct ability to hold celebrations that are jubilant and awe-inspiring in equal measure. The city of Xi’an is the home to many such celebrations and with some coordination, you can enjoy each festival to the fullest!

1

The Chinese New Year is not to be missed

A celebration like no other during the typical calendar year, the Chinese New Year is essentially the biggest celebration of all. With the specific date being gauged based upon the lunar calendar, there is plenty to be marvelled at for those who have never had the opportunity to experience what this event brings to Xi’an.
Considered one of the oldest new year festivals in the world, this brings forth celebrations that can last close to a fortnight and leads to many businesses closing down to enjoy the festivities. The city will typically begin preparations for this event up to a month in advance and it is a delight to watch the city glow over time.

2

Experience the Chinese Lantern Festival

While this is in many ways a part of the new year celebrations, it is typically considered its affair. Held roughly fifteen days after the Chinese New Year celebrations, people will gather from all across the country with their lanterns. A night of the lantern festival consists of many people gathering to light lanterns and let them float away into the sky like glowing embers while people enjoy traditional dumplings, dancing and theatrical performances.

3

The Sombre Tomb Sweeping Day

While it is not met with much fanfare, this tradition pays respect to those who have passed and is celebrated during April each year. During this period, many families will gather as they clean the tombs and pay their tributes to ancestors of the past.

4

The spectacular kite festival

This celebration may be one of the most vibrant of the festivals that take place in China. The folklore passed down through the generations speak of a dwarf by the name of Han Shin who created the first-ever kite to help him win a pivotal battle. In the present era, people hope to have the biggest and brightest kite around as they celebrate this special day!
If you are staying at any of the hotels in Xi’an China, such as the Grand Park Xian simply ask for assistance and someone will be able to assist you in securing your kite to participate in the festivities.

5

The Dragon Boat Festival

This event is held as a way of honouring the life of a 3rd-century scholar by the name of Qu Yuan. It is held on the 5th day of the 5th moon of the lunar calendar.
Why did this particular scholar gain such a unique distinction in Chinese culture you may rightly wonder? It is believed that this scholar realises something urgent and made efforts to inform his king of the concerns he feared would come to pass. However, the King was not interested in listening to the scholar and promptly banished him. After almost 7 years of banishment, the scholar came to learn that his predictions had come true and in despair chose to drown himself.
To this day, people will throw some rice balls into the rivers to feed the fish and dissuade them from consuming the body of the scholar.