[Video/ntfabu.com]

Snack shops in Nantong have experienced a surge in the sales of Chongyang cake ahead of the Chinese Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival, which falls on Oct 14 this year.

The Double Ninth Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, and is a day to show respect to one's elders.

It is a tradition to gift Chongyang cakes on this day to wish senior citizens good health and longevity.

The cake is usually made of glutinous rice, brown sugar, red dates, osmanthus flowers, walnuts, and sesame, among other ingredients.

These days, healthier options featuring less sugar and oil have been made available.

Other traditions observed on this day include admiring the beauty of chrysanthemums, drinking chrysanthemum wine and climbing mountains.