Why Chinese Valentine’s Day Is For Long-Distance Couples

If you’re in a long-distance relationship with someone in China, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a special Valentine’s Day just for you.

It is called Qixi Festival. Also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day.

What’s unique about this holiday is that since the Han Dynasty, millions of Chinese couples will come together to celebrate an ancient love story, much like the Western version of Valentine’s Day.

Before we go into the details, let’s first look at China’s most romantic holiday.

What is Chinese Valentine’s Day?

Chinese Valentine’s Day (七夕节 Qī xì jié) is an ancient celebration of love inspired by the reunion of Niulang (牛郎 Niú láng) and Zhinu (织女 Zhī nǚ).

Many brides and grooms stand in front of a red drop to get married together on Chinese Valentines Day
Men and women standing outside in tradition red Chinese wedding robes

Love confessions, marriage proposals and romantic gestures are all part of China’s Qixi Festival.

Qixi Festival Story:
Reunion of Niulang and Zhinu

According to Chinese legend, Zhinu was one of the heavenly daughters of the Jade Emperor. Bored of her mundane life, she descended to earth and broke of heaven the rules by falling in love with a mortal named, Niulang.

Zhinu’s mother, the Goddess of Heaven, soon discovered that her daughter had married a mortal and sent an army of soldiers to retrieve her.

Niulang, now alone and in despair, carried their two children to search for his beloved wife.

However, things took a turn for the worst when Zhinu’s mother learned of his arrival that she used her divine powers to create a tremendous river of stars — the Milky Way itself — to separate the lovers at opposite ends of the universe.

On the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies (not like the ones in Australia!), after witnessing the tragic sight, decided to build a bridge across Great Milky Way so that Zhinu and Niulang could be reunited.

Moved by the couple’s love, the Goddess of Heaven decided to allow the couple to reunite, but only for one day each year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, also known as Qixi Festival. 

The End.

Now, I know this ending probably isn’t what most of us hoped for. That’s because this isn’t meant to be your average love story. Rather, it’s a story about true love and persevering through great difficulties (even if it means only seeing your partner once a year).

So for those in long-distance relationships, this story may be somewhat to your heart. That’s why Chinese Valentine’s Day is just for you.

When is Chinese Valentine’s Day?

Mark your calendars because Chinese Valentine’s Day falls on Thursday, 4 August! In 2023, Qixi Festival will fall on Tuesday, 22 August. In 2024, it will be celebrated on Saturday, 10 August.

What are some Qixi Festival traditions?

In the days gone by, Qixi Festival was an occasion for women to demonstrate the skills needed for marriage. Nowadays, the holiday follows Western Valentine’s Day traditions for couples to exchange gifts.

Here, we’ve put together some romantic gift ideas to help put a smile on your sweetheart’s face!

Chinese Valentine’s Day Gifts

  • Lucky In Love 108 Red Roses

    $ 251
  • Large bouquet of 99 premium red roses wrapped in quality matte paper

    Moulin Rouge 99 Red Roses

    $ 247
  • Orchid Rose Box Bouquet Large

    $ 227
  • Moët & Assorted Flower Box

    $ 161
  • Large bouquet of 52 premium pink roses arranged in a cylinder gift box

    Signature Pink Rose Box Bouquet

    $ 144
  • Chandon Assorted Fruit Flower Box

    $ 130
  • Moët & Ferrero Rose Box Bouquet

    $ 120
  • Radiant red flower bouquet, delivered across China with care.

    Red Royale Box Bouquet

    $ 120
  • Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Box

    $ 110
  • Orchid Red Rose Box Bouquet

    $ 110
  • Ferrero & Red Rose Box Bouquet

    $ 103
  • Golden Red Rose Bouquet

    $ 103
  • A multi-stem phalaenopsis orchid presented in an elegant ceramic pot

    Multi Stem Orchid Flower

    $ 103
  • A bouquet of 33 premium red roses wrapped in quality matte paper and presented in an elegant gift box, ready to be delivered to your loved one in China.A bouquet of 33 premium red roses wrapped in quality matte paper and presented in an elegant gift box, ready to be delivered to your loved one in China.

    Classic Red Rose Gift Box 33

    $ 99
  • Macaron & Flower Heart Gift Box

    $ 92

5 Romantic Ways to Say Happy Chinese Valentine’s Day

亲爱的七夕到了,愿你永远快乐,我爱你!

Sweetheart, Qixi Festival is here. I hope that you’ll always be happy — I love you!

亲爱的,今天是中国情人节。千里迢迢,送你一个情人节的吻!

Sweetheart, today is Chinese Valentine’s Day. So, from far away, I’ve sent you a Qixi Valentine’s kiss!

今天我在鹊桥的这边等你,另一边的你在想我吗?我俩不如就在鹊桥情定终生。

Today, I’ll wait for you on the Magpie Bridge. Will you think of me from the other side? Or perhaps let’s just stay on this bridge forever…

七夕节日快乐 bb!让我们在牛郎织女相见之日相亲相爱吧!

Baby, Happy Qixi Festival! Let’s love each other like Niulang and Zhinu when they reunited on this day. 

七夕这一天,你不在我身边,但所有记忆都感觉甜,想起你的笑脸,就忍不住思念,即使相隔那么遥远,也隔不断爱的语言,亲爱的,七夕情人节快乐!

Even though you’re not by my side on Chinese Valentine’s Day, all of the memories that I have of us are still as sweet. When I think of your smile, I can’t help but miss it. Even from afar, my words of love will continue to flow. Sweetheart, Happy Qixi Festival!