Climbing Heights for Chongyang: A 2,000-Year-Old Custom, and the National Park Service's Hike Smart Safety Points
October 18 is the Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang), observed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. With roots in ancient harvest celebrations and ancestor worship, the festival dates back more than 2,000 years and became widely celebrated during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Because the pronunciation of 'double nine' sounds like the Chinese word for 'long-lasting,' the day symbolizes longevity and health, and in modern China it is also a day dedicated to respecting and caring for older adults, often called Senior Citizens' Day. Traditional customs include climbing mountains, admiring chrysanthemums, drinking chrysanthemum tea or wine, eating Chongyang cake, wearing zhuyu — a fragrant medicinal plant once believed to ward off illness — and honoring elders.
In the United States, the climbing custom overlaps with the autumn hiking season in the national parks. On its 'Hike Smart' safety page, the National Park Service (NPS) lists a series of points for hikers: know your limits and check the park's website to learn about its wildlife; carry essentials including a map, water, sun protection and a light — a phone flashlight is not reliable, so carry a headlamp; stick to dry paths and solid rock areas with good footing, and stay away from rapid waters and slippery slopes, as climbing on rocks near waterfalls is extremely dangerous; consult local tide tables and pay attention to tidal behavior where relevant; use repellent and check clothing and body for ticks during and after the hike; be aware of wildlife, store food properly and do not wear strong scents.
This year's festival day falls on a Sunday.
Source: Festival customs compiled from public festival references; safety points from the National Park Service's official 'Hike Smart' page.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Glacier National Park 的 Balu Pass 山径（资料图）。图片来源：维基共享资源（Wikimedia Commons）。Photo: The Balu Pass trail in Glacier National Park (file photo). Image: Wikimedia Commons.
