Eastern Traditions

While the Gregorian calendar is followed for all practical purposes in China, it is the lunar calendar that governs the cultural, festive, religious and spiritual life of Chinese people. Most of the important celebrations, such as Lunar New Year and the Moon Cake Festival, have evolved over thousands of years and are intrinsic to life throughout China. However, there are some less well-known festivals, such as the Cold Food Festival described below, that are closely tied to local history and traditions.