This Sunday (October 25) marks Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival, a traditional festival observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The day was established as a formal folk festival in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and included in the first batch of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage in May, 2006.
Mountain climbing and focuses on care for the elderly have been two important folk customs of the national festival, on top of other ritual activities like viewing chrysanthemums, drinking chrysanthemum wine and wearing cornel (dogwood) twigs.
As one of the most popular attractions in Guangzhou, Baiyun Mountain, with its pleasant surroundings, traditionally has been a favorite spot for family outing and hiking during the festival. The scenic spot, however, will suspend group climbing this year, in line with the city's latest rules on managing mountain climbing in holidays to avoid possible safety hazards. The ban will last for five years.
Monthly-, half-yearly- and yearly ticket pass will also be halted at the same time, the tourist site announced.
All hills and sights, except Moxing Peak (摩星岭) and Shanding Square (山顶广场) atop the mountain, will be closed to tourists during the festival, with vehicles banned uphill, except emergency and rescue ones.
Photo/Guangzhou Daily
Citizens are advised to avoid hiking up highlands during peak hours (nights of October 24 and 25) in case of accidents, especially the elderly, children and people in poor health. For people not fond of highland climbing, a flower photography exhibition featuring works of Israeli photographer Rotem Avrutsky in Yuntai Garden could be a good option to enjoy leisure time at the foot of the mountain.
Some other scenic spots in the city also have scheduled festive activities for the upcoming holiday, with restrictive measures in place.
Photos/Lotus Mountain scenic spot
The Lotus Mountain, or Lianhuashan, in Panyu district, will be enveloped by colorful lights as a way to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival. Light shows are to be staged on Saturday night (October 24), along with dance performances and photography exhibitions.
Transportation:
Shiqi station at Metro Line 4, then change to bus Pan 92 or Pan 93 and get off at Lotus Hill bus terminal
地铁4号线石碁站，转番92、番93公交车到莲花山车站总站
Photo/Tianhou Temple
As the largest Mazu (goddess of the sea) temple in Southeast Asia, the Tianhou Temple is unique in its architectural design, integrating both the styles of the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing.
The spot will greet tourists with a lighting celebration, from 6 p.m. on October 24 to 1 a.m. the next day, and creative markets this year.
Transportation:
Metro Line 4, Nansha Passenger Port Station 广州地铁四号线南沙客运港站
Photo/Guangzhou Daily
The only attraction allowing mountain climbing in the district, with group climbing banned.
Photos/WeChat account "广州增城发布"
It is the only highland open for mountain hiking activities this year in the district. Reservation prior to visit is required, with a cap on three persons allowed entry for each reservation. The park is open to tourists between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 24.
Scan the QR code to make a reservation before tomorrow midnight (October 23).
Author & editor: Becky