The festival was once a big day in Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Republic of China (1912-1949). Hundreds of boats were available for free lotus appreciation. Thousands of lotus lanterns floated on Nanhu Lake at night and lakeside restaurants served drinks and meals, accompanied by performances of local opera.

On the festival lotus dishes include lotus seed congee, steamed rice wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed cakes made of lotus petals and flour.