On the night of the eighth day of October, a jogging race with a name of “joggers bathed in the moonlight of Jinji Lake”kicked off at City Square as one of the activities promoted by the government policy “half past eight o’clock in Suzhou·moon lights up city” which was formulated to promote the night economy. Also called “junior ‘gold horse’” race due to the similarity between this competition and “gold horse” long-distance race and smaller scale of the former, this competition had attracted about one thousand participants and they ran along Jinji Lake-encircling walk in a long line. With this long race, the series of activities organized during Mid-autumn Day plus National Day holiday came to an end.

The two festivals together make the holiday last as long as eight days. People gathered around Jinji Lake to admire the moon and participated in the activities marking the anniversary of the founding of PRC. A great number of visitors came to lakeside to spend holiday, some approaching the lake, some visiting cultural spots, some others going shopping. Jinji Lake scenic area received 1,298,900 entries/visits accumulatively paid by visitors during the eight days.

Special day with special activities

1.“Moon Lights up City” activities carried out at Jinji Lakeside

Mid-autumn Day happening to fall on National Day means reunion of more families. A lot of families visited lakeside with all family members getting together. The families who failed to get reunited for a whole family outing during the spring festival due to pandemic of COVID-19 realized their dreams in this Mid-autumn Day National Day holiday. A series of activities thematically called “moon lights up city” to mark the two festivals were organized to demonstrate the close ties between a family and a nation.

The activities were in varied styles including many traditional folk games like throwing an arrow into a pot, guessing lantern riddles, painting on a moon-shaped fan with the shared themes of family reunion and China rejuvenation. The activities have well implemented the government policy“half past eight o’clock in Suzhou”by boosting the night economy.

2.To experience adiversifiedculture of SIP

Nights are more vibrant than daytime in Jinji Lake. 

Performances of classic arts, modern dance and “encounter a YOUNG Suzhou” Jinji Lake quick artshow were put on the stage of Suzhou Center. Street dancing byboys, ancient Kun Opera and popular songs performed in the open air to represent different cultures from different times brought contrasting experiences to the audiences bathed in moonlight.

3.Creativity bazaar and theme exhibitions

Jinji Lakeside is rich in creativity bazaars and theme exhibitions which attracted a great many citizens and visitors to come to explore during the holiday.

 Citizens and visitors witnessed the prime of cultural tourism at the scenic spots around Jinji Lake.

4.Theme activities organized at business districts sprang up

The discounts and promotions activities offered by the businesses around Jinji Lake sprang up during the two festivals which added to the festive atmosphere. Shoppers flocked to these businesses creating a spending spree of the holiday.