Discover China

On 1 October each year China celebrates it’s National Day, this year marking the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Find out more in the CNTV Special Feature Happy National Day Holiday.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on 12 September this year, is a traditional Chinese holiday for family reunions. And it wouldn’t be a proper Mid-Autumn Day without moon cakes – this baked treat with its various fillings is an indispensable part of the holiday. Find out more in the CNTV News stories Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated across China and Explore China to find various Mid-Autumn traditions.

In recent years, an increasing number of small ancient towns in China have come to the public’s attention through the movies. If you have been enchanted by some of the scenery you have seen in a Chinese movie, see these Shenzhen Daily articles to for some places you may like to visit:

• Escape to a movie scene (I)
• Escape to a movie scene (II)

Read Wang Yuanyuan’s Shenzhen Daily article Some quiet and cool ancient towns to find out how to visit some ancient towns that are little known and quiet and offer cool relief from the summer heat – Heijing in Yunnan, Huangyao in Guangxi and Anchang in Zhejiang .

The first China International Ancient Town Exposition will be held in Beijing from 16-18 December. There are 5,000 ancient towns that are older than 1,000 years in China, and currently only 180 of them have been explored and developed and most of them need to be protected for their profound cultural heritage. Find out more in the People’s Daily Online articles First China International Ancient Town Expo will open and China says protection of ancient towns urgent task.