Beijing, China - Sept 24, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of ancient observatory
2. Time-lapse shot of crowd in observatory
3. Residents observing moon
4. Various of moon
5. Various of residents observing moon from observatory
6. Various of moon, traditional music being played in colorful lights
7. Moon shining over street

Huangshan, Anhui Province, east China - Sept 24, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
8. Various of moon shining over street near water

Anshan, Liaoning Province, northeast China - Sept 24, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
9. Various of moon shining over temple on mountain

Haining, Zhejiang Province, east China - Sept 24, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
10. Moon shining over shore
11. Traditional music being played under moonlight
12. Full moon

Wuhan, Hubei Province, central China - Sept 24, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
13. Various of Yellow Crane Tower decorated with lights

Pingxiang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China - Sept 24, 2018 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
14. Ancient gate by border with Vietnam
15. Various of border guards on duty under full moon

Across China people celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with an ancient tradition on Monday night -- observing what is believed to be the roundest and brightest moon of the year.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the eighth month every year in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a day of family get-together.

Observing the moon is perhaps the most important rituals of the holiday as the round shape of the full moon embodies family reunion, and even those who are far away from home can take solace knowing that their folks are looking at the same full moon.

In Beijing, a 500-plus-year-old observatory opens to the public at night. It's a rare opportunity to see the full moon up close, via the observatory's modern telescope.

Many residents came with their entire family to appreciate the full moon together. Parents who were bringing their small children to the ancient observatory said it's a good opportunity for kids to discover more about Chinese traditions, the calendar and astronomical observations.

Most Chinese however still observe the mid-autumn moon like their ancestors, using bare eyes to appreciate the bright full moon with their family. The joyful occasion is often accompanied with music played in traditional instruments, lanterns that together with the moon lit up the night sky, and mooncakes, a special treat people saved for the festival.