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When preparing for the HSK, strictly memorizing flashcards can get boring. Immersing yourself in Chinese culture is often the best way to make vocabulary stick.

While everyone knows the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, there are many "tier-2" traditional festivals that appear in Chinese cultural reading comprehension passages.

Here are five traditional Chinese holidays that you might not have heard of, but are fascinating and can enrich your understanding of the language.

1. Laba Festival (腊八节, Làbā Jié)

The Laba Festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. It acts as the "pre-game" for the Chinese New Year. Traditionally, families cook Laba porridge (腊八粥), a hearty dish made with various grains, beans, and dried fruits.

This festival is deeply rooted in Buddhist culture, commemorating the day the Buddha achieved enlightenment.

HSK Vocabulary:

• 腊八节 (Làbā Jié) - Laba Festival
• 佛教 (Fójiào) - Buddhism (HSK 6)
• 纪念 (jìniàn) - To commemorate / souvenir (HSK 5)
• 粥 (zhōu) - Porridge / Congee

Grammar Point: Expressing Lunar Dates

In Chinese, dates go from big to small (Month -> Day).

• Structure: 第 [Number] 个月的第 [Number] 天
• Example: 第十二个月的第八天 (The 8th day of the 12th month).

2. Dragon Heads-raising Day (龙抬头, Lóng Táitóu)

Celebrated on the second day of the second lunar month, this festival symbolizes the awakening of the dragon (the bringer of rain) after winter.

Fun Fact: It is considered bad luck to cut your hair during the first lunar month (it is said to curse your uncle!). Therefore, on Dragon Heads-raising Day, barbershops are packed as everyone finally goes for a haircut to bring good luck.

HSK Vocabulary:

• 龙 (lóng) - Dragon
• 传说 (chuánshuō) - Legend / It is said that... (HSK 5)
• 理发 (lǐfà) - Haircut (HSK 4)
• 发财 (fā cái) - To get rich (HSK 5)

Grammar Point: Listing Customs

When describing what a holiday entails, use 包括 (bāokuò).

• Example: 这个节日的习俗包括吃面条和理发。(The customs of this festival include eating noodles and getting a haircut.)

3. Double Ninth Festival (重阳节, Chóngyáng Jié)

Observed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, this festival is dedicated to honoring the elderly. Why the 9th? In Chinese, Nine (九, jiǔ) sounds exactly like Long/Forever (久, jiǔ). Thus, double nine symbolizes long life.

Activities include climbing mountains (to get a better view/health) and drinking chrysanthemum wine.

HSK Vocabulary:

• 重阳节 (Chóngyáng Jié) - Double Ninth Festival
• 登山 (dēngshān) - To climb a mountain
• 尊敬 (zūnjìng) - To respect (someone of higher status) (HSK 5)
• 长寿 (chángshòu) - Longevity

Grammar Point: Purpose with "Wèile"

To explain why we celebrate, use 为了 (wèile).

• Example: 为了表达对老人的爱，我们庆祝重阳节。( In order to express love for the elderly, we celebrate the Double Ninth Festival.)

4. Minor New Year (小年, Xiǎo Nián)

Celebrated roughly a week before the actual Lunar New Year, Minor New Year is the day of deep cleaning. Families sweep away the dust (and bad luck) from the past year.

It is also the day the Kitchen God (灶神) ascends to heaven to report on the family's behavior to the Jade Emperor. People offer him sticky candy to seal his mouth so he can only say sweet things!

HSK Vocabulary:

• 小年 (Xiǎo Nián) - Minor New Year
• 大扫除 (dà sǎo chú) - General cleaning
• 报告 (bàogào) - Report / To report (HSK 4)
• 甜 (tián) - Sweet (HSK 3)

Grammar Point: Passive Voice (Bèi)

Cleaning is the perfect time to practice the Bei structure.

• Structure: Object + 被 (bèi) + Doer + Verb + Complement
• Example: 房子被一定要打扫干净。(The house must be cleaned thoroughly.)

5. Cold Food Festival (寒食节, Hánshí Jié)

The Cold Food Festival falls one day before the Tomb Sweeping Festival (Qingming). Historically, people refrained from lighting fires to cook, eating only cold food to commemorate a loyal ancient servant named Jie Zitui.

Today, this festival has largely merged with Qingming, but the tradition of eating cold green rice balls (Qingtuan) remains. You can read more about the history in our Tomb Sweeping and Cold Food Festival Guide.

HSK Vocabulary:

• 寒食节 (Hánshí Jié) - Cold Food Festival
• 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) - To prohibit / forbid (HSK 5)
• 忠诚 (zhōngchéng) - Loyalty / Devoted (HSK 6)
• 简朴 (jiǎnpǔ) - Simple / Plain

Grammar Point: Prohibitions

You will see this grammar on signs in China.

• Structure: 禁止 + Verb
• Example: 节日期间禁止使用火。(Using fire is prohibited during the festival period.)

Conclusion

Exploring these lesser-known Chinese holidays offers a unique perspective on the culture. By understanding the vocabulary and the stories behind them—like why we don't cut hair in month one, or why we eat cold food in April—you deepen your connection to the language.

Engage with the rich tapestry of Chinese festivals and traditions to elevate your HSK preparation. HSK preparation is more than just rote learning; it’s about embracing the context that makes the language come alive.