Moon cake became part of the Mid-Autumn Festival because during the Yuan dynasty (1280 1368 A.D.) when China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (960-1280 A.D.) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set out to co-ordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Packed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels succesfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.).Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this event.
Moon cakes can be bought in Chinese grocery stores and bakeries. The small cakes are very rich, with fillings made of lotus seed paste with anywhere from one to four salted egg yolks in the centre, lotus seed paste with melon seeds, black bean paste with mincemeat，and all of the above with assorted nuts. Prices vary depending on the ingredients.

中秋节吃月饼的传统起源于元朝（公元1280-1368年）。当时，汉人备受蒙古的统治，大宋的后人们不甘屈服于外族的压迫，奋起反抗，密谋起义。起义领导人得知快中秋将至，于是特意定制月饼，在每个月饼里面夹塞了有关起义大致安排的纸条。在中秋节那天，起义者们成功地推翻了鞑子政府的统治，建立了明朝（1368-1644 A.D.）。今天，人们吃月饼就是为了纪念这次事件。
现在，在中国的商店和面包店都出售月饼。月饼的品种多样，馅料有莲蓉加咸蛋黄，或是莲蓉加瓜子，绿豆糕加肉沫，或是它们各自的组合。月饼的价格也因馅料而定。