'Dēng gāo' literally means 'to climb high'—'dēng' (to ascend, to climb) combined with 'gāo' (high, tall). While it can describe any act of climbing a mountain, hill, or tower, it carries strong cultural resonance as a traditional custom during the Double Ninth Festival (Chóngyáng Jié), when people—especially elders—climb mountains for health, longevity, and to ward off misfortune. The phrase evokes imagery of autumn scenery, family outings, chrysanthemum appreciation, and reverence for aging.

The term is deeply rooted in Chinese poetry and folklore; for example, the Tang poet Wang Wei’s famous line 'Dú zài yì xiāng wéi yì kè, měi féng jiā jié bèi sī qīn' ('Alone in a foreign land, I am a stranger; every festive day I miss my kin more') refers to this very practice. Though modern usage sometimes extends metaphorically (e.g., 'climbing to higher positions'), its core meaning remains physical ascent tied to tradition, seasonality, and intergenerational respect.