ัYuanxiao, also called tangyuan, is a dumpling ball made of sticky rice flour stuffed with different fillings. Eating yuanxiao has become an essential part of the festival. The methods for making Yuanxiao differ by region and fillings include sugar, rose petals,sesame, sweetened bean paste, and jujube paste. Some do not have fillings. Because tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed, and each has a unique taste, it is very popular. yuanxiao is round in shape so it endowed with the meaning of reunion, harmony and happiness. During the night of the festival,family members sit together to taste yuanxiao and appreciate the full moon.
Beside these activities, there is Welcoming Zigu (a kind and poor girl in folklore), in which women make straw and cloth images of Zigu and say consoling words to her expressing people is goodness and their pity for the poor. Because appreciating the lantern offers a good chance for young boys and girls yo communicate with each other, the lantern festival is also regarded as chinese valenyine's day.