Mid Century

Enjoy Mooncakes in Hong Kong During the Mid-autumn Festival

As the longest lingering bastion of the British Empire, Hong Kong has often attracted attention from historians, media stalwarts and ordinary travellers alike. However, anyone keen to escape the hustle and bustle of Kowloon and the crowded streets of Central should make sure to visit Hong Kong when it's in its least commercial time of year - during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in a range of East Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. Originally, the festival commemorated the 14th century Chinese uprising against the Mongols, in which the rebels spread the word of revolution on pieces of paper that were hidden in cakes. Today, however, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a pan-Asian celebration of togetherness and harmony, and generally falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar (often mid-to-late September or early October).

Anyone visiting Hong Kong during the Mid-Autumn Festival will be treated to a colourful showcase, where families make up and light bright lanterns throughout the city. Traditionally, lanterns are made in the shape of animals but more recently, modern technological icons, like space ships and aeroplanes, have also been a popular choice.

Moreover, the Mid-Autumn Festival is often called the 'mooncake' festival, since mooncakes are traditionally eaten during this time. Mooncakes (or yuek beng) are widely considered a delicacy, and are sweet, baked cakes that consist of a thin, soft skin with a sugary, oily filling. Often, mooncakes will contain one or more whole salted duck egg yolks in the centre to symbolise the full moon, while the actual filling can vary according to regional culture.

The original mooncake filling is popularly believed to be lotus seed paste, which (due to its high price) is often substituted by white kidney bean paste instead. Other seed pastes that are used to fill mooncakes include red bean paste (made from adzuki beans), mung bean and black bean paste; but jujube paste and five kernel paste are also popular. As well as indulging in special mooncakes, many Chinese families will also eat pomeloes (a large type of grapefruit) while having barbeques outside under the moon.

Flights to Hong Kong leave London so regularly that it's relatively simple these days to make a quick trip to the city over a period of a few days. And, if you've got friends or family in Hong Kong, or you simply want to explore one of Asia's most fascinating cities, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the perfect time to visit.

About the Author

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer from Scotland. His interests include travelling and hiking.

Fab MID CENTURY MODERN Iron Hairpin MAGAZINE RACK STAND Retro Project Piece
Fab MID CENTURY MODERN Iron Hairpin MAGAZINE RACK STAND Retro Project Piece
US $19.99
 Pair Drapes Mid Century Blue Turquoise Retro Mod Floral 2 Silky Panels 82 Long
Pair Drapes Mid Century Blue Turquoise Retro Mod Floral 2 Silky Panels 82 Long
US $49.99
Pair Mid Century Blue Turquoise Retro Mod Floral Silky Throw Pillow Covers Shams
Pair Mid Century Blue Turquoise Retro Mod Floral Silky Throw Pillow Covers Shams
US $29.99
 Vintage Mid Century Danish Modern Wood Tricolator Coffee 32 Cup Percolator w Box
Vintage Mid Century Danish Modern Wood Tricolator Coffee 32 Cup Percolator w Box
US $39.99
Vintage Danish Modern J L Moller Teak Rosewood Rope Dining Chair Mid Century
Vintage Danish Modern J L Moller Teak Rosewood Rope Dining Chair Mid Century
US $39.99
 VINTAGE ALESSI RICHARD SAPPER MELODIC TEA KETTLE TEAPOT MID CENTURY EAMES ERA
VINTAGE ALESSI RICHARD SAPPER MELODIC TEA KETTLE TEAPOT MID CENTURY EAMES ERA
US $99.99
VTG CHICKEN DEVILED EGG SERVING PLATTER TRAY HAND PAINTED MID CENTURY CERAMIC
VTG CHICKEN DEVILED EGG SERVING PLATTER TRAY HAND PAINTED MID CENTURY CERAMIC
US $14.98
 4 Vintage Mid Century Floral Curtain Drapery Panels
4 Vintage Mid Century Floral Curtain Drapery Panels
US $45.00
Vtg Eames Modern Mid Century Floral Leaf Platinum Rim Creamer Sugar Bowl Brass
Vtg Eames Modern Mid Century Floral Leaf Platinum Rim Creamer Sugar Bowl Brass
US $24.99
 EAMES ERA ATOMIC Wood BALL CLOCK Retro MID CENTURY MOD FREE USA SHIPPING
EAMES ERA ATOMIC Wood BALL CLOCK Retro MID CENTURY MOD FREE USA SHIPPING
US $49.99
Vintage Lot 7x Mid Century Polished Chrom Metal Cabinet Knobs
Vintage Lot 7x Mid Century Polished Chrom Metal Cabinet Knobs
US $29.00
 Vintage German Mid Century PorcelainMetal Pie Cake PlateTray50s
Vintage German Mid Century PorcelainMetal Pie Cake PlateTray50s
US $69.00
Vintage Retro Mid Century 50s Green Glass White Gold Striped Vase Jug Jar
Vintage Retro Mid Century 50s Green Glass White Gold Striped Vase Jug Jar
US $19.23
 Vintage Lot 5x Mid Century Polished Chrom Metal Cabinet Knobs
Vintage Lot 5x Mid Century Polished Chrom Metal Cabinet Knobs
US $29.00
NEW Replica Mid Century Bertoia Childrens Side Chair by Little Nest
NEW Replica Mid Century Bertoia Childrens Side Chair by Little Nest
US $60.00
 2 VINTAGE ELDAN Mid century Modern brown E6OSI ELD2 6 5 8 Teaspoon
2 VINTAGE ELDAN Mid century Modern brown E6OSI ELD2 6 5 8 Teaspoon
US $3.97
VINTAGE OXFORD HALL Fashion wear brown Mid century Modern pie serving knife fork
VINTAGE OXFORD HALL Fashion wear brown Mid century Modern pie serving knife fork
US $7.97
 VINTAGE OXFORD HALL Fashion wear brown Mid century Modern butter knifesugar spo
VINTAGE OXFORD HALL Fashion wear brown Mid century Modern butter knifesugar spo
US $6.37
VINTAGE OXFORD HALL Fashion wear yellow Mid century Modern 7 1 4 teaspoon
VINTAGE OXFORD HALL Fashion wear yellow Mid century Modern 7 1 4 teaspoon
US $2.97
 Danish Mid Century Retro Vintage RAAK 50s 60s 70s Light
Danish Mid Century Retro Vintage RAAK 50s 60s 70s Light
US $79.58
Vintage Mid Century Pink Chrome Borg Bathroom Scale
Vintage Mid Century Pink Chrome Borg Bathroom Scale
US $14.99
 3 Vintage Mid Century Oliv Art Olive Wood Relish Sugar Bowls Spice Boxes
3 Vintage Mid Century Oliv Art Olive Wood Relish Sugar Bowls Spice Boxes
US $9.00
Kroehler mid century Queen Bedroom set
Kroehler mid century Queen Bedroom set
US $275.00
 Mid Century modern or Art Deco chrome and glass side occasional table
Mid Century modern or Art Deco chrome and glass side occasional table
US $99.00
VINTAGE 50S CIRCA MID CENTURY MODERN MALLARD DUCK IN FLIGHT TABLE LAMP LIGHT
VINTAGE 50S CIRCA MID CENTURY MODERN MALLARD DUCK IN FLIGHT TABLE LAMP LIGHT
US $69.99
 3 Stainless Mid Century Modern Wood Handle Trays 2 Denmark
3 Stainless Mid Century Modern Wood Handle Trays 2 Denmark
US $9.99
Mid Century Danish Modern Salad Serving Set in box w rose wood handle
Mid Century Danish Modern Salad Serving Set in box w rose wood handle
US $9.99
 Wide Mid century Rustic County 6 Dining Chairs Danish American Cottage SIX Fl
Wide Mid century Rustic County 6 Dining Chairs Danish American Cottage SIX Fl
US $299.00
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Solid Cherry Wood Chair Wooden Armchair
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Solid Cherry Wood Chair Wooden Armchair
US $29.95
 Retro Mid Century orange plastic egg yolk separator USA
Retro Mid Century orange plastic egg yolk separator USA
US $4.00
Preway Fireplace Orange Cone w Screen Pipes Mid Century Modern
Preway Fireplace Orange Cone w Screen Pipes Mid Century Modern
US $799.00
 Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Wood Copper Enamel Desk Top Letter Holder Stand
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Wood Copper Enamel Desk Top Letter Holder Stand
US $29.99
8 Mid Century Gold Rim Pedestal Shot Glasses 1940 50 60s
8 Mid Century Gold Rim Pedestal Shot Glasses 1940 50 60s
US $12.99
 MAD MEN MID CENTURY MOD EAMES ERA TABLE TOP FLYING GEESE CATTAILS WOOD METALS
MAD MEN MID CENTURY MOD EAMES ERA TABLE TOP FLYING GEESE CATTAILS WOOD METALS
US $9.99
Mid Century Danish Modern Dresser Mint Condition
Mid Century Danish Modern Dresser Mint Condition
US $275.00
 GRETA VON NESSEN ANYWHERE LAMP MID CENTURY MODERN METAL TABLE WALL CEILING
GRETA VON NESSEN ANYWHERE LAMP MID CENTURY MODERN METAL TABLE WALL CEILING
US $550.00
Vintage Modernist Mid Century WMF Ikora Silver Plate Candelabra Candle Sticks
Vintage Modernist Mid Century WMF Ikora Silver Plate Candelabra Candle Sticks
US $11.80
 Wood Carafe Pietro Manzoni Vietri c1970 Mid Century Modern Eames Era
Wood Carafe Pietro Manzoni Vietri c1970 Mid Century Modern Eames Era
US $125.00
RARE MID CENTURY Antique Eames Era SPHERICAL CAPIZ SHELL PENDANT ceiling light
RARE MID CENTURY Antique Eames Era SPHERICAL CAPIZ SHELL PENDANT ceiling light
US $3,738.70
 For Sale Two matching mid century modern style leather lounge chairs
For Sale Two matching mid century modern style leather lounge chairs
US $450.00

Montco History 101: Early to mid-19th century
In the early to mid-19th century Montgomery County went through some big changes. Towns and villages gradually increased in population and certain towns started breaking away from the county’s 28 townships, eventually becoming self-governing boroughs. Other changes were more tangible, as new types of transportation, combined with the arrival of industrialization, resulted in population shifts ...

Mid Century

Tagged with: • • •