Discover how China celebrates Qixi Festival, from ancient traditions and the Cowherd and Weaver Girl legend to modern romantic outings.
August 19th marks Qixi Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar. Today, the festival is often known as China’s traditional Valentine’s Day.
Qixi began with ancient Chinese observations of the stars. Over time, the festival became linked to the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. It also gave rise to traditions such as qiqiao, or “pleading for skill”. In the past, women would thread needles under the moon, pray for dexterity, make delicate pastries known as qiaoguo, and honour the Weaver Girl. Some of these customs are still practised in parts of China today.
Meanwhile, the way people celebrate Qixi continues to evolve. According to a report by Chinese travel platform Tongcheng Travel, bookings for night-time scenic attractions rose by more than 50 per cent on August 19th compared with ordinary days. Boat tour bookings also increased by more than 47 per cent, with couples accounting for 76 per cent of customers.
From traditional rituals to evening cruises and light shows, Qixi brings together ancient customs and modern ways of celebrating love. Here is a glimpse of how people across China mark the festival in 2026.
If you liked this article, why not read: China’s Qixi Festival: A Day of Love, Tradition, and Spectacle
