Better known by its more imaginative moniker of the Mooncake Festival, for millions of Chinese across Asia the Mid-Autumn Festival is a big deal, second only to Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
中秋節(jié)綽號“月餅節(jié)”，在亞洲各地的華人眼中，中秋節(jié)是一個很盛大的節(jié)日，其重要性僅次于春節(jié)。

Throughout the continent, households celebrate in style in a variety of ways, with the releasing of sky lanterns, dragon dancing and the age old tradition of eating mountains of moon cakes. These ubiquitous bite-sized chunks of pastry are filled with everything from red bean paste, lotus seeds, almonds, egg yolk, minced meat, candied fruits or chocolate.
在亞洲，每個家庭慶祝中秋的方式各有千秋，有放孔明燈的，有舞龍的，還有流傳已久的吃月餅的傳統(tǒng)。在中秋佳節(jié)，這種小巧的點心隨處可見，其餡料從紅豆沙、蓮子、杏仁、蛋黃、肉末、果脯到巧克力，無所不包。

There are literally hundreds of varieties found throughout the region and in cosmopolitan areas such as Hong Kong and Shanghai, well-to-do folk can even munch on moon cakes of black truffle, caviar and foie gras.
亞洲各地的月餅多達數(shù)百種，而類似香港和上海這種國際大都市，有錢人家甚至能享用黑松露、魚子醬和鵝肝醬月餅。

Throughout continental Asia, Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to reunite and spend time together. Celebrations kick off with a special meal at home, akin to a western Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner before everyone steps out together, often in traditional dress, to enjoy local festivities such as dancing, music and bright lantern displays. Each nation and region has its own peculiar customs for moon worship with many quaint customs still going strong.
在亞洲大陸的各個地方，中秋節(jié)都是一個家人團聚及相互陪伴的節(jié)日。慶祝活動往往從一桌特別的家宴開始，類似于西方的圣誕節(jié)或感恩節(jié)晚餐，之后全家人一起外出活動，通常都會身著傳統(tǒng)服飾，讓自己置身于當?shù)氐墓?jié)日氛圍中，觀賞舞蹈、音樂以及漂亮的燈會。每個國家和地區(qū)都有各自獨特的拜月風俗，許多稀奇古怪的習俗在當?shù)厝杂绊懮钸h。

Zhongqiu: the Chinese mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival
中國大陸的中秋節(jié)

In Chinese mainland the strong scent of incense wafts through the air and twinkling lanterns can be seen for miles around. Unsurprisingly it is in the rural heartland where the most colorful traditions still hold true.
在中國大陸，中秋那天，空氣中飄散著濃烈的熏香味道，隔著幾公里遠也可以看到空中閃爍的燈籠。不用意外，在農村中心地區(qū)，那些豐富多樣的傳統(tǒng)習俗仍被尊崇。

In parts of Southern China the full moon is time for a little romance. Masquerades are held at Festival time to pair up single guys and girls from neighboring villages with the quaint yet symbolic dropping of a handkerchief.
在中國南方的部分地區(qū)，月圓之夜被認為是一個浪漫的時刻。節(jié)日當天會舉辦假面舞會，用丟手絹的方式撮合鄰村的單身男女，這看似不可思議卻極具象征意味。

One of the most spectacular aspects of Mid-Autumn Festival is the building of huge bamboo and stone towers, often rising over 50 feet high, which are then set ablaze after dark in order to ensure a good harvest.
最壯觀的一種中秋慶祝活動是用竹子和石頭壘成巨塔，高度通常超過50英尺，等到天黑后再將巨塔點燃，以求來年的好收成。