The high-profile Mid-Autumn Festival Gala finally lifted the curtain. Directors Li Shen and Jing Xin have described the gala as “deeper traditional culture, broader international perspectives, more affectionate emotion, and a more beautiful reunion.”

This year, the hometown of China's most renowned philosopher and scholar Confucius – Qufu, in east China's Shandong Province – was chosen as the main venue. The two overseas sub-venues are Kuala Lumpur and Sydney.

The party has been extended from 120 minutes to 150. The stage design has incorporated local characteristics such as slips of bamboo, traditional side towers, Lotus and cypress, providing audiences a visual feast.

Elements of traditional Chinese culture were highlighted this year. The whole party was divided into three chapters, each beginning with poem recitation of Confucius classics.

Song and dance and a martial arts performance were all embraced with rich Chinese culture.

Besides, 22 actors from the 1998 TV series “The Water Margin”, one of the four Chinese classics, were invited to sing a song, echoing its 20th anniversary.

The gala featured an all-star cast. In Qufu, the main venue, Chinese stars including Yang Kun, Shang Wenjie, Angie Chiu and Joey Yung staged various styles of songs, while Malaysian singer Shila Amzah, Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen and Lenka from Australia presented performances at two sub-venues.