520 Chinese Valentine's Day 520 Festival 我爱你 "I Love You" Roses

When is China's unofficial Valentine's Day, 520 Festival?

The 520 Festival is a kind of unofficial Valentine's Day in China and is celebrated on May 20th. 520 sounds a bit like 我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ, which means "I love you" in Chinese.

The day after, on May 21st many women will offer a a token of love to their partner as 521 which is wǔ'èryī in Chinese sounds a bit like 我愿意 wǒ yuànyì, which means "I do" or "I'm willing".

What is China's unofficial Valentine's Day, 520 Festival?

The 520 Chinese Valentine's Day, known as the 520 Festival, has become a significant date on the romantic calendars of many in China. Celebrated on May 20th, this unique occasion has gained popularity for its clever association with the number 520 which sounds phonetically similar to the phrase "I love you" in Mandarin Chinese.

Originating from internet culture and gradually gaining mainstream recognition, the 520 Festival offers a playful twist to expressing affection and love. While Valentine's Day on February 14th is also widely celebrated in China, the 520 Festival provides another opportunity for couples to cherish their relationships and for individuals to express their feelings to their loved ones.

The festival is marked by various gestures of love, such as exchanging gifts, sending romantic messages, and spending quality time together. Social media platforms and messaging apps often buzz with romantic sentiments, as couples share photos, videos, and heartfelt messages to commemorate the day.

When is the official Chinese Valentine's Day?

This year Chinese Valentine's Day is on August 10th. Also know as Qixi Festival, Chinese Valentine's Day is a romantic celebration of love.