Residents of Guangzhou's Baiyun district celebrated the Double Ninth Festival on Oct 18 with traditional mountain climbs, singing performances, and community gatherings honoring their ancestors.

The Double Ninth Festival, one of the oldest traditional Chinese festivals still widely observed today, falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese calendar. It has a long history in China and is associated with traditions such as mountain climbing and showing respect for the elderly.

At the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, crowds of people climbed the mountain. On the summit, a group of visitors sang songs as seniors hummed along.

A group of visitors sings songs as seniors hum along at the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area in celebration of the Double Ninth Festival. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Ahead of the festival, the 35th Double Ninth Honoring the Elderly Festival took place in Wuxi village, Zhongluotan township. The village welcomed back married women, known as "golden flowers", with vibrant parades and traditional performances, fostering a sense of community and nostalgia.

Meanwhile, villages in Longgui sub-district hosted grand feasts for the elderly, inviting around 1,600 people to join in. With traditional delicacies and cultural performances, the celebrations emphasized respect for the elderly and community bonds.

Yuansha village set up service areas offering free medical consultations, haircuts, as well as blood pressure and blood sugar measurements for the elderly, while Nanling village held a lion dance performance.

The 35th Double Ninth Honoring the Elderly Festival takes place in Wuxi village in Baiyun. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

 Villages of Longgui sub-district host grand feasts for the elderly. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]