Chinese Valentine’s Day (七夕节 Qīxìjié) is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.  

Also called Qixi Festival (Evening of Sevens Festival), this unique celebration of love is deeply rooted in Chinese folklore and is based on the romantic legend of Zhinü (織女 Zhīnǚ) and Niulang (牛郎 Niúláng). 

The Chinese Valentine’s Day is a time for couples to express their love, which they usually do with gifts and gestures. Couples spend time together, enjoy a nice dinner, exchange gifts, go to the cinema.  

Qixi Festival brings an air of romanticism to the streets of China, with couples gazing into the night sky in search of the stars Vega and Altair. 

Feb 14:  Valentine’s Day is mainly popular amongst younger generations as it is an import from the West, and it is celebrated a bit differently in China.  

Usually, women gift chocolate to their partners to show their appreciation and love. 

 Men are then expected to return the favor one month later. 

March 14: White Valentine’s Day (白色情人节 Báisè Qíngrénjié) 

On this day, men are expected to reciprocate the gifts received on February 14th and present their partners with white chocolates. They are also expected to buy gifts that are greater in value than those received from their significant other the previous month. 

Here’s some Valentine’s Day Chinese Vocabulary 

爱情  Love                   女朋友 Girlfriend 

订婚 To get engaged          男朋友 Boyfriend 

鲜花 Fresh Flowers          情人节 Valentine’s Day 

China also has a ‘Singles day’ 光棍节 on November 11th, the anti-Valentine’s Day event has since become a big national shopping holiday, the day celebrates self-care and self-gifting for single people and letting go of the shame traditionally attached to the unmarried