Visitors climb mountain at the Sheshan National Forest Park on Double Ninth Festival. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyoutopnews]
A group of older visitors took part in a climbing activity at Sheshan National Forest Park to mark Chongyang Festival Oct 25.
Guided by volunteers, the visitors climbed a popular mountain at the national 4A-level scenic area that features a mountain range and forests.
Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival to pay respect to seniors. It falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. In Chinese folklore, the number nine is the largest number and a homonym of the Chinese word jiu, which contains the auspicious meaning of "a long and healthy life".
Climbing heights (mountains) is a traditional custom on this festival. It is really refreshing to climb mountains and enjoy the beauty of nature during bright and clear weather in autumn. A reason that climbing mountains is valued by people, especially by the elderly, is that it means "climbing to a long life".
