The Double Ninth Festival is based on the theory of Yin and Yang, the two opposing principles in nature by which the ancient Chinese believed that every natural phenomenon could be explained. According to the I Ching, nine is the biggest Yang number. The Double Ninth Festival, the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is a date when the biggest Yang number is doubled. That is why it is also called Chongyang Festival, which means double Yang.

This year, the festival falls on October 26th and has brought throngs of people to Badachu Park. Climbing a high mountain during the Double Ninth Festival is supposed to protect individuals against danger and preserve longevity. Although it may not have the highest peaks around, the steep path up Badachu rewards visitors with a great view of the changing colors of the surrounding Lushi Hills.

Besides providing a good reason to go out and hike, the festival inspired many of China’s elderly to seek a longer life. Drinking chrysanthemum wine and wearing a zhuyu plant is said to have cleansing and protective qualities.

However, for those that don’t like wine or prefer not to lengthen their life span by climbing a mountain, there’s a sweet solution. The Chinese word for “cake,” gao, sounds the same as “high.” So if you don’t feel like exercising your legs but want to work your mouth, Chongyang Cake is the perfect solution.

Video: Huang Lan & Casey Chin

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