Beijing consumers spend big on Moon festival

BEIJING - Beijing consumers forked out billions during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, which ran from Thursday to Saturday, retail figures show.

Retail sales of 60 major commercial companies, in foodstuff, dining and tourism sectors, exceeded 2 billion yuan (about $300 million), up 6.6 percent year on year, according to the Beijing municipal commission of commerce.

Mooncakes, the seasonal delicacy for the festival, were in less lavish packaging and came in more creative flavors this year.

Daoxiangcun, a Beijing bakery chain, sold more than 27 million mooncakes by Saturday. Mooncakes that are made from 3D printing machines sell particularly well, the company said.

Popular restaurants in Beijing were heavily booked during the three-day holiday. Turnover of several catering enterprises posted 10 percent growth from last year.

Mid-Autumn Festival, the 15th day of the eighth month on China's lunar calendar, falls on September 15 this year. The festival has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years to mark the harvest during the autumn full moon. It is also an occasion for family gatherings featuring lanterns, solving riddles and, of course, mooncakes.