The Milky Way and the Altair and Vega stars on both sides are pictured in Tangyuan County, Jiamusi City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 24, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year.

The festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar, originated from an ancient Chinese love story.

The stars Altair and Vega, regarded as Niu Lang (a humble cowherd) and Zhi Nyu (the seventh daughter of the Goddess of Heaven) , were beloved couple in the legend who found their love forbidden and were separated to opposite sides of the Milky Way.

Moved by their plight, magpies intervened, creating the bridge with their wings on the seventh night of the seventh month of China's lunar calendar, allowing the couple to reunite for just one day each year. Photo: Xinhua

The Milky Way is pictured in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, in the early morning of Aug. 29, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

The Milky Way is pictured in Fujin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 27, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

A couple looks up at the starry sky by the Heilongjiang River in Jiayin County of Yichun City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 14, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

A couple views the Milky Way and the Altair and Vega stars on both sides in Jinshan Town, Fujin City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 24, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

The Milky Way is pictured in Fujin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 26, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

An art installation is pictured under the Milky Way in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 26, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

People view the Milky Way and the Altair and Vega stars on opposite sides in Huachuan County of Jiamusi City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 21, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

An art installation is pictured under the Milky Way in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 26, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua

The Milky Way and the Altair and Vega stars on opposite sides are pictured in Fujin City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 27, 2025. Known as the Chinese version of the Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival fell on Friday this year. Photo: Xinhua