Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in US capital, other regions

WASHINGTON -- Chinese-Americans and people of other ethnic groups in US capital Washington DC gathered at the Chinese American Museum on Saturday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

They tasted mooncakes, a traditional pastry dedicated to the festival, as well as other Chinese cuisines, and sipped tea.

Young children enjoyed making craft lanterns, having their faces painted, and a story corner reading.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang tweeted on Saturday that the Mid-Autumn Festival is "a day for reunion."

"Let's celebrate it by admiring the moon and enjoying the mooncakes," Qin wrote. "Keep each other in our hearts, sharing joy though far apart."

The Mid-Autumn Festival was also celebrated by residents of many other places across the United States.

The festival, which falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is one of the most important traditional holidays in China.