Chinese Valentine’s Day // How Many Are There and When Is Chinese Valentine’s Day?

For some of us, dealing with just one Valentine’s Day is enough.

If you’re in that camp, count yourself lucky you’re not celebrating Valentine’s Day in China.

Or rather, days…

Beyond the familiar scenes of red roses and chocolates on the 14th of February, China has a whole host of other days throughout the year to celebrate 爱情 (àiqíng): love.

In total, there are around 6 Chinese Valentine’s Days.

That’s a lot of chances to disappoint your significant other 👀

But fear not, we’re going to give you a need-to-know breakdown of each one and tell you exactly when each Chinese Valentine’s Day is.

Let’s dive into the complex world of Chinese Valentine’s Days!

Valentines Day #1 | 14/2: Valentine’s Day (情人节, qíngrén jié)

Valentines Day #2 | 14/3: White Valentine’s Day (白色情人节, báisè qíngrén jié)

Valentines Day #3 | 20/5: 520, wǔ’èr líng

Valentines Day #4 | 7th Day of the 7th lunar month: Qi Xi Festival (七夕节, qīxì jié)

Valentines Day #5 | 15th Day in Lunar Year: Lantern Festival (元宵节, yuánxiāo jié)

Valentines Day #6 | 11/11: Single’s Day (双十一, shuāng shíyī)

Chinese Valentines Day #1 – [14/2] Valentine’s Day

情人节 – qíngrén jié

The 14th February, like in the West, now marks one of China’s many Valentine’s Days.

A recent import from the West, it is very popular amongst younger generations.

Much like in the West on this day, you can expect couples to spend time together by going to the cinema or for romantic dinners.

It is also common to buy chocolate and roses for your loved ones – the pricier the better!

On this Chinese festival, make sure to spend it with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Chinese Valentines Day #2 – [14/3] White Valentine’s Day

白色情人节 – báisè qíngrén jié

White Day is a festival celebrated in many East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea.

👉 In these countries, it is often the women who buy gifts on Valentine’s Day and the men reciprocate the gifts on White Day.

In China, it’s celebrated more sporadically and participation varies city to city. Some people celebrate it every year, whilst in some areas you might only see a few supermarket promotions around or not hear about it at all.

This Chinese Valentine’s Day falls exactly one month after Valentine’s day on the 14th February.

Whilst on Valentine’s Day, any kind of romantic gift may be given (think roses, jewelry, teddy bears), White Day is all about one kind of gift: chocolate.

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Chinese Valentines Day #3 – [20/5] 520, I Love You Day

This interesting Chinese Valentine’s Day recently entered China through the growing culture of Chinese netizens’ slang.

DID YOU KNOW – It came about because 520 (pronounced as ‘wǔ èr líng’) sounds like the Chinese for “I love you” (wǒ ài nǐ).

To some of us, 520 sounds barely anything like “I love you”. But hey, any excuse to celebrate love (and for companies to make cash).

This day is spent similarly to that on the 14th February and is celebrated only amongst young millennials.

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Chinese Valentines Day #4 – Qi Xi Festival

七夕节 – qīxì jié

Qixi Festival comes from the romantic tale of two lovers who can only come together once a year, which is why it is celebrated on this day.

It is celebrated on July 7th (7/7) on the Lunar calendar, which usually comes in August.

Just like Western Valentine’s day, on this Chinese Valentine’s Day you can expect to get gifts or go for a meal with your companion.

Otherwise, you could spend it eating typical foods such as 油饭 (yóufàn), 麻油鸡久 (máyóujījiǔ) and 软果 (ruǎn guǒ.)

DATES

10th August 2024

29th August 2025

19th August 2026

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15th Day in Lunar Year: The Lantern Festival

元宵节 – yuánxiāo jié

The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day in the Lunar Calendar.

This ancient traditional festival is seen as a Chinese Valentine’s Day.

One of the reasons for this is because back in olden days when women were barely able to leave the house.

Going out to go and light the lanterns during this festival was a rare occasion when women could go on dates and find a partner. 

It is typical on this day to eat a kind of sweet dumpling – a kind of mochi filled with peanut or sesame paste.

DATES

24th February 2024

12th February 2025

3rd March 2026

Chinese Valentines Day #6 – [11/11] Single’s Day

双十一 – shuāng shíyī

With 5 Valentine’s Days in China, what’s a single girl to do?

Do not fear singles!

China has been celebrating Single’s Day for a few years now, originally there to celebrate being single – but now simply celebrates consumerism.

The story goes that this date was originally celebrated by students in Nanjing university who wanted to celebrate being single.

DID YOU KNOW – The dates 11/11 were chosen for having two double lines representing being single.

Giants Alibaba then took over the day to turn it into a Black Friday/Cyber Monday style day of crazy shopping.

Chinese people will save for months in order to buy their wanted items as soon as the date comes around.

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If you enjoyed getting to know about the Valentine’s Day in China why not check out Japanese Valentine’s culture here too!

Chinese Valentine’s Day || FAQs

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