People have flocked to reserve tables for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in Guangzhou City, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, as the mid-autumn festival approaches, the Guangzhou Daily reports.

A cook gives the press a glimpse at the most expensive "Imperial Banquet", which costs 26,888 yuan (US$ 4210.7), in Guangzhou City, capital of south China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. [Photo: Guangzhou Daily]

The special festival banquet menus, provided by some hotels and restaurants in Guangzhou, vary in nature and come with different price tags, ranging from 200 yuan to 8000 yuan.

The "Imperial Banquet", costing 26,888 yuan (US$ 4210.7), is the most expensive menu on offer in the city. Those who order this menu will not only enjoy an array of luxurious foods, including Fo Tiao Qiang (steamed abalone with shark fin and fish maw), Perigord truffle, Alaska crab roe, wild pheasant and swan meat, they will also enjoy two days of accommodation at the Chimelong Hotel, and a free two-day visit including all meals at the Chimelong Amusement Park.

An employee working at Chimelong Hotel, said that only 10 tables will be prepared for the "Imperial Banquet", 8 of which have already been reserved, with 70% of the orders placed by visitors from other cities.

However, local residents of Guangzhou have instead opted for the ordinary banquet menu. About 100 Mid-autumn Festival banquet tables have been reserved at the International Conference and Exhibition Center inside the Chimelong Hotel, the employee said.

"Zhong Qiu Jie", also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which falls on Monday, September 12, this year. On this day, family members come together and celebrate under the full moon, an auspicious symbol of abundance and harmony.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 9, 2011)