Beijing museum honors seniors through Double Ninth traditions

Chrysanthemum tea, traditional festive cakes and silk handicrafts were among the attractions at a cultural event held by Beijing Folklore Museum on Oct 18 to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival, a traditional Chinese occasion honoring older people and wishing them health and longevity.

The festival, observed on the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese calendar, fell on Oct 18 this year. Customs associated with the occasion include climbing to high places, admiring chrysanthemums, drinking chrysanthemum wine or tea, and eating festive cakes. Today, the occasion is also widely celebrated as a day to show respect and care for senior citizens.

Under the theme "Chrysanthemum Fragrance for the Double Ninth Festival, Blessings for Health and Longevity", the museum organized a program blending folk traditions, cultural displays, calligraphy and painting, handicraft workshops and free traditional Chinese medicine consultations.

A re-creation of a traditional nine-tier chrysanthemum tower evoked old Beijing customs of admiring flowers and praying for good fortune. Visitors could also enjoy complimentary chrysanthemum tea and sample traditional Double Ninth flower cakes, reflecting the festive custom of eating cake and climbing to higher ground to invite good luck.

At a handicraft workshop, participants made auspicious wind chimes decorated with baoxiang floral patterns using Song brocade, a traditional Chinese silk-weaving technique. The activity turned intangible cultural heritage into a hands-on experience, with the finished crafts symbolizing wishes for happiness, health and longevity.

The museum also hosted a calligraphy and painting session featuring older artists, who created works inspired by chrysanthemums and festival-themed poetry. Visitors gathered to watch the artists at work, highlighting the value of lifelong learning and the active role older people continue to play in cultural life.

In partnership with Chaoyang District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the museum offered free health consultations and wellness advice for senior visitors.

The event also marked the conclusion of the museum's 2026 "Our Festivals" stamp-collecting program. Visitors who participated in cultural activities for five traditional Chinese festivals — Qingming, Dragon Boat, Qixi, Mid-Autumn and Double Ninth — could collect commemorative stamps. Those who completed the full set were eligible to exchange their stamp booklets for museum-designed gifts.

The museum said it would continue to explore traditional folk customs and develop new cultural experiences, offering visitors more opportunities to connect with Chinese heritage and keep festival traditions alive.