CHANGCHUN, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- As the harvest season approaches at the foot of Changbai Mountains in northeast China, fields of golden rice undulate over black soil.

This time of year coincides with China's Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, and it is a time when the country's diverse ethnic groups unite in celebration. Under the soft light of the moon, they come together to dance, sing and revel in the festivities, practicing lively folk customs to embrace the spirit of family reunion.

The Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in northeast China's Jilin Province is home to the largest Korean population in China, with 742,000 ethnic Koreans calling it home. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell on Sept. 29 this year, Shanghai-based Cui Shubin flew back to his hometown early in the morning and visited a cemetery with his family.

Traditionally, Korean families honor their ancestors and tend to their graves on this day, trimming grass, tidying tombstones, and offering fresh dates, chestnuts and other sacrifices. In addition to being a celebration of the harvest, the custom also allows Koreans to convey their hopes for future generations and serves as a tribute to the memory of their ancestors.

"No matter how far we may be from home, returning for the annual Mid-Autumn Festival is a deeply ingrained practice. It's not just a cultural custom but also a beautiful way to nurture family bonds," Cui said.

Tong Min, a young girl from the Manchu ethnic group, made preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival with her family under the moonlight near the bank of the Songhuajiang River, which is located in the city of Jilin.

They hung lanterns in the corners of their courtyard and arranged mooncakes, fruits and other treats on a table. Tong said that the Mid-Autumn Festival holds special significance for the Manchu ethnic group, embodying their time-honored custom of paying tribute to the moon.

Cao Baoming, chairman of the provincial folk literature and art association, emphasized the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival. He said the occasion has a rich tradition of families coming together to celebrate the harvest.

There is a collective hope for good weather and harmonious family relationships in the year ahead, often expressed through moon worship and other activities related to the moon, Cao said.

"While these customs originated from an ancient reverence for the moon, they also reflect the deep-seated family values and aspirations for better lives that are ingrained in the Chinese culture," Cao noted. Enditem

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