Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: In the country’s far northeast, the freezing winter weather provides the ice for the ice-carving competition that brings people from all over the world to see the unique and often exquisite sculptures – and to enjoy the festive atmosphere in Harbin, in spite of the freezing cold weather. A special feature of the ice sculptures is that they are illuminated from the interior.

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year): Depending on the lunar calendar, the fanciful New Year festival occurs in late January or early February. Although officially scheduled for just a few days, celebrations tend to last for almost a month. Preparations are made during the month preceding the lunar New Year, including cleaning the house, settling debts and cooking all the food to be eaten during the 5 main days of festivities. Special sweets are offered to the kitchen god, Tsao-Chun; and his picture that was hanging in the kitchen is burned so that he returns to heaven and makes a favourable report on the household. On the eve of the festival, a new picture of Tsao-Chun is placed in the kitchen, signalling his return. Noise-makers and firecrackers welcome him back, while scaring off evil spirits from the year gone by.

Lantern Festival: On the first full moon of the New Year, which occurs around 10 days after Chinese New Year day, the Lantern Festival is celebrated. This festival dates to the Han dynasty, when lanterns were used symbolically to promote Buddhist teachings. Celebrations today include the display of lanterns of all sorts, and also include fireworks displays, folk dancing and stilt-walking demonstrations. A special treat that’s offered during the festival is a sweet dumpling, which symbolises the reuniting of family and friends.

Qing Ming Festival: Celebrated annually in April, the festival is held to honour ancestors. Chinese visit the graves of their loved ones, to clean the area and pay respect. Ancestors are held in great respect, and young family members join in this grave-cleaning ritual. This is also a time that branches of the willow tree are hung in doorways in the hopes of warding off evil spirits.

Water Splashing Festival: This is an annual rite that’s celebrated by the Dai ethnic minority living in Jinghong. A market is set up to launch the festivities – which also include beanbag throwing, dragon-boat racing and swimming competitions. The highlight is the day of water splashing, when everyone is doused with water by friends and passers-by. That evening, traditional elephant and peacock dances are held to bring good fortune.

Dragon Boat Festival: Held on the 5^th day of the 5^th lunar month, this celebration is held to honour a scholar and royal official of the 3rd century BC - Ch'u Yuan. Legend has it that Ch'u Yuan advised the king of events that he foresaw; and as the predictions displeased the king, Ch’u Yuan was banished to an isolated place. On the 5^th day of the 5^th month his predictions came true, and he drowned himself in despair. Local fishermen tried but failed to save him with their boats; and their wives tossed rice balls into the river so that the fish wouldn’t feed on Ch'u Yuan's body. Today, celebrants eat special rice balls known as ‘tsung’, throwing some into the river as an offering to Ch’u Yuan’s spirit. Dragon-boat races are held to the beat of drums, in re-enactment of the search for his body.

Children's Day: The 1^st of June is the most memorable day for Chinese children, as they are showered with gifts by their parents. Entertainment venues, such as children’s museums, cinemas and parks offer special programs free to children and schools hold special parties.

Double Ninth Festival: In August or September, the ninth lunar month occurs, and the Double Ninth Festival is held. In Chinese tradition, the numeral 6 is considered an inauspicious number; and the numeral 9 is thought to be the opposite – a positive or auspicious number. Centuries-old traditions on this date include drinking chrysanthemum wine and walking and climbing in the hills.

Confucius’ Birthday: In 551BC, Kung Chiu was born in northern China, and became known by the Chinese as Kung Fu Tzu, or the Grand Master Kung. The name was Westernised to Confucius. Not only was he a scholar, but he was the first recognised teacher in the country, devoting his life to social and political philosophy. Confucius believed in strong family order, with respect for elders and everyone having a place in the hierarchy and particular duties to perform. His teachings had a profound influence not only in China, but also in much of the rest of Asia. His birthday is celebrated annually in September.

Moon Festival: during the full moon in September, this harvest festival held. It is one of the largest Chinese festivals. Its origins are in the ancient tradition of paying homage to the sun at the time of the full moon in the spring; and to the moon in the fall. Families get together for this festival, travelling long distances if necessary. Moon cakes are a special treat, prepared as a tribute to the moon and given as gifts to friends. The cake is also a reminder of wars, when messages hidden inside the cakes were smuggled past enemy troops.

Rebellion of October 1911: The revolution marked the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty by followers of Sun Yat-sen, in a largely bloodless coup. The goal was the formation of a democratic government, which was not successful, and the country ultimately turned to Marxism.

Shanghai International Arts Festival: is a month-long celebration of the performing arts. The series of events in the festival include symphony concerts, dance recitals, opera performances, live theatre, magic and acrobatics.