As the Chinese poem goes,"As the bright moon shines over the sea, from far away you share this moment with me." The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a celebration of the harvest but also a symbol of family reunion and longing for loved ones. As the full moon rises, people gaze at the night sky, and their thoughts drift with the moonlight, crossing mountains and seas, connecting them with distant family and friends.

At this time in Kunming, a group of foreigners are studying and working here, closely tied to Kunming's landscapes and culture. They immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in their own ways, experiencing the warmth and unity of the Mid-Autumn Festival and engraving these memories in their hearts. Let's get to know them, listen to their unique and touching stories about the Mid-Autumn Festival, exploring how this traditional holiday helps foreign friends in a distant land find a sense of "home."

The moonlight shines on friendship: Myanmar student Wang Sen celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with friends

In the golden autumn season of Kunming, the moon shines brightly, casting a clear glow. Wang Sen, an international student from Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar, is eagerly preparing for a Mid-Autumn dinner with friends and embracing this warm Chinese traditional holiday.

Wang Sen's connection with China began in 2016 when she started studying Chinese at Dehong Teacher's College. At first, the Mid-Autumn Festival was just an unfamiliar term to her. But every year, the school organized gatherings for international students to celebrate the holiday together. She recalled, "We tasted mooncakes together and listened to the legend of Chang'e flying to the moon. These cultural experiences took root in my heart like seeds." The festival's theme of reunion deepened her longing for her family back home.

Wang Sen celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with her classmates at Dehong Teacher's College. (Photo provided)

In 2019, after completing her studies in Dehong, Wang Sen returned to Myanmar with a deep love and understanding of Chinese culture and became a Chinese teacher. During her three years of teaching, she not only taught language knowledge but also conveyed the cultural essence of the Mid-Autumn Festival to her students in Myanmar in lively and engaging ways. At the annual Mid-Autumn Festival performances organizes by the school, under Wang Sen's careful planning, students dressed up as Chang'e, reenacting the classic story of Chang'e flying to the moon.  By integrating education with entertainment, this method allowed Myanmar children to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture amid laughter and joy while deepening Wang Sen's memories and emotions about the festival.

Recent photo of Wang Sen. (Photo provided)

As time passed by, in October 2023, with a love for Chinese culture and a strong desire to improve her Chinese language skills, Wang Sen returned to China and came to Yunnan University for further studies. After nearly a year in Kunming, Wang Sen is about to celebrate her seventh Mid-Autumn Festival. For her, the festival has transcended geographical boundaries and become an emotional bond, connecting her past and present, China with Myanmar, and the people united together by culture.

As the bright moon hangs high, illuminating people's thoughts, it also bears witness to Wang Sen's unbreakable connection with China. Speaking of her plans for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, Wang Sen excitedly shared that she and her Myanmar friends in Kunming would cook a sumptuous dinner, enjoy mooncakes, admire the moon, and celebrate this festival that symbolizes reunion together. "I'm really looking forward to my first Mid-Autumn night in Kunming. It will be a night full of warmth and laughter, blending the cultures of China and Myanmar in a memorable way," she expressed.

Mooncakes convey blessings: Sri Lankan teacher shares the story of “Chang'e flying to the Moon” with his children

As mooncakes of various flavors are displayed in stores across the streets and alleys of Kunming, Sugath, a Sri Lankan currently teaching Sinhalese at Yunnan University, knows that the holiday is just around the corner. After living in China for eight years, four of which have been spent in Kunming, he fondly describes China as his "second hometown."

Recent photo of Sugath. (Photo provided)

In Sugath's eyes, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a holiday of gratitude for the harvest, celebrating the full moon and family reunions. The festival symbolizes unity, harmony, and prosperity; the full moon in the night sky seems to gather all good wishes. "Even when separated from family, gazing at the same full moon makes it feel like you can transcend distances, sending thoughts and blessings to each other."

Recalling the past few years of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in Kunming, Sugath felt a warm sense of nostalgia: "In Kunming, many windows were adorned with folk paper cuttings of the moon and jade rabbit. The bustling streets were filled with dragon and lion dances, with the soothing sounds of traditional music echoing in the air." What especially captivates Sugath is the blend of local ethnic arts in Yunnan's Mid-Autumn decorations, showcasing the region's cultural diversity.

"When visiting friends during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese friends always give me a beautifully crafted box of mooncakes as a gift." Having lived in Kunming for many years, Sugath has developed a deeper understanding of mooncakes. The variety, flavors, and fillings of mooncakes differ from region to region, reflecting the local culinary culture. For example, traditional Cantonese-style mooncakes, Teochew mooncakes, and Yunnan's unique Dian-style mooncakes all offer a taste of local specialties. In recent years, Sugath has also tried many modern mooncake innovations, such as snow skin mooncakes, ice cream mooncakes, and even truffle mooncakes.

However, the most unforgettable mooncake Sugath finds is the Dian-style one, particularly the Yunnan ham mooncake. He described it as: "This mooncake uses Yunnan's locally cured ham as its filling, sometimes with a hint of sugar added, creating a unique blend of salty and sweet flavors." To him, the Dian-style mooncake is not only a delicious treat but also an important way to convey blessings and emotions during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Photo of Sugath with his family. (Photo provided)

This year, Sugath plans to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with his wife, daughter, and son by making paper-cut art together to experience the fun of this traditional holiday. "I also intend to tell my children the legend of Chang’e ascent to the moon, helping them understand the cultural background of the Mid-Autumn Festival." In addition, his family will attend a Mid-Autumn-themed concert in Kunming, where his daughter will sing a few Chinese songs. They will also enjoy a feast of traditional Chinese dishes, including steamed fish, dumplings, taro, and pomelos, a seasonal fruit symbolizing reunion.

For Sugath, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in Kunming is not just about feeling the lively atmosphere of a traditional Chinese holiday but also an immersive cultural journey into Yunnan's ethnic customs. Gazing at the moon and savoring Yunnan ham mooncakes offer both a visual and culinary delight and a beautiful moment of family reunion and sharing blessings. This year, Sugath looks forward to continuing to experience the warmth and joy that the Mid-Autumn Festival brings to his "second hometown."

Crossing mountains and rivers: Laotian student Nina anticipates the "sweet world" of mooncakes

With the operation of the China-Laos Railway, the connection between Laos and China has grown stronger, attracting more young Lao students to cross mountains and rivers to China. They come to pursue their studies and immerse themselves in the profound Chinese culture. As a Lao student at Yunnan University, Nina is one of these Lao students.

Recent photo of Nina. (Photo provided)

This year marks Nina's second Mid-Autumn Festival in China. Reflecting on her first celebration in China, her eyes lighted up with fond memories: "At that time, I was still a foreigner unfamiliar with this holiday. But thanks to the warm introductions from my Chinese friends and teachers, I gradually came to understand the deep feelings of reunion and longing behind the Mid-Autumn Festival.  

When talking about her plans for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, Nina could hardly contain her excitement. "We started preparing early, planning to step into the 'sweet world' of mooncakes together." Although mooncakes are not common in Laos, she has developed a fondness for the unique flavor of lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk. "Every time I taste it, it feels like I’m exploring a new taste miracle," Nina shared. In addition, she and her fellow Lao students are going to shop for ingredients and carefully prepare a Mid-Autumn feast together. She described, "It feels like we are building a warm little home in a foreign land, and our sense of reliance and understanding of each other has deepened."

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Nina and her fellow students plan to admire the moon and savor mooncakes together on the Yunnan University campus, while also sharing Lao snacks with their Chinese friends. "To me, the Mid-Autumn Festival is no longer just a holiday; it’s more like a bridge connecting my heart to my Chinese friends. Through this festival, we’ve deepened our understanding of each other and further appreciated the unique charm of our cultures," Nina said emotionally.

As the festival approaches, Nina did not forget to call her family back in Laos, sending them her love and reassurance. "Even though I'm in a foreign country, my heart is always closely connected to my family. I'll tell them I'm doing well here, and they don’t need to worry."

The operation of the China-Laos Railway has undoubtedly opened a new chapter for students like Nina, offering them a new path to China. It has not only shortened the physical distance between the two countries but also developed emotional ties between the people of China and Laos. Nowadays, the journey from Vientiane, Laos, to Kunming, China, has become much more convenient, taking only nine and a half hours by high-speed train to cross the border. This ease of travel has allowed an increasing number of young people from Laos to come to China for study and tourism, deepening their interest in Chinese culture.

For Nina, the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival goes beyond enjoying mooncakes and appreciating the moon. It resonates with her emotions and represents a cultural inheritance. During this festival of warmth and reunion, she feels a deep longing for her family back home and experiences a different form of togetherness and happiness with her Chinese friends. This dual sense of belonging makes her cherish every moment of staying in China even more.

Click here to view Chinese report

(Editors: Ines, Rachel)