THE most romantic time of the summer season is the Qixi festival, when the Chinese celebrate the annual meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl in mythology. Once a year, legend says, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge across the Milky Way to reunite the lovers for just one day. The Qixi festival also inspired the Tanabata Festival in Japan and Chilseok Festival in Korea.

Good news for those in love: This year’s Qixi festival falls on Aug. 17, a Friday. If you haven’t made up your mind about where to eat dinner, Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen has an offer. Its Seasons Restaurant has prepared a sumptuous buffet for lovebirds, who can enjoy fresh seafoods, choice steaks, seasonal vegetables and delicate desserts at an elegant candle-lit dinner. To sweeten the pot, the restaurant has prepared free gifts including room vouchers, dinner vouchers and bottles of red wine for randomly picked lucky couples.

The price is 799 yuan (US$115) for two persons, inclusive of service charge and taxes.

Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m., Aug. 17

Tel: 8888-8888 ext. 8318

Add: Haide Street 3, Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station

(Li Dan)