Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate Chinese New Year, one of the most important and colorful holidays in Asian culture. It's an event that not only marks the beginning of a new year but also serves as an opportunity to renew hopes, reunite with loved ones, and celebrate the richness of Chinese culture.
Where Does Chinese New Year Come From?
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), has very ancient roots, dating back over 4,000 years. The date of Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar, so it varies every year, although it generally falls between January 21 and February 20.
The most famous legend behind this holiday is the story of "Nian," a monster that, according to tradition, terrorized villages every year. It's said that the creature feared the color red, the sound of firecrackers, and bright lights. For this reason, Chinese people decorate their homes with red lanterns and engage in loud celebrations, with fireworks and firecrackers.
What Are the Traditions?
Chinese New Year traditions are numerous and vary by region, but some are universally recognized, such as:
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Cleaning the House: Before Chinese New Year, Chinese families thoroughly clean their homes to drive away bad luck and make space for good fortune. It's believed that cleaning brings prosperity and blessings for the new year.
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Family Reunions: Chinese New Year is a time for family gatherings. Families come together for a special meal, with the "reunion dinner" on New Year’s Eve being especially important.
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Hongbao (Red Envelopes): One of the most eagerly anticipated traditions is giving and receiving red envelopes containing money. These gifts symbolize good luck and prosperity.
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Dragon and Lion Dances: In many Chinese cities, parades feature spectacular traditional dances with dragons and lions, accompanied by festive music and drums.
How is Chinese New Year Celebrated?
Chinese New Year is celebrated over several days, with the highlight being the "New Year's Eve," when families gather for a large dinner. The 15th day marks the end of the celebrations, known for the famous Lantern Festival, when cities light up with colorful lanterns and large floats parade through the streets.
In many cities, fireworks displays and grand parades are held. People wear red clothing, a color believed to bring good fortune, and exchange wishes for happiness, health, and prosperity.
And now, let's sit down and enjoy the traditional dishes!
Food plays a central role in the Lunar New Year celebrations, with symbolic dishes that wish for prosperity, long life, and good luck:
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Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings): These dumplings shaped like gold ingots symbolize wealth and prosperity.
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Fish: Fish is a traditional dish because in Chinese, the word "fish" (yú) sounds similar to the word for "abundance." It's eaten to wish for wealth in the coming year.
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Nian Gao (Glutinous Rice Cake): This dessert symbolizes growth and improvement, as the word "nian" sounds like "annual" and "high."
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Oranges and Tangerines: These symbolize good luck and happiness due to their round shape and golden color.
Choose with Us Your Destination to Celebrate Lunar New Year
Everyone should wish at least once in their life to witness the legendary celebrations of Chinese New Year and experience its excitement.
We invite you to join us in some of the most beautiful cities to witness spectacular celebrations:
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Beijing (China): In addition to a wide range of traditional activities, including dragon dances, fireworks, and the grand Spring Markets, the Forbidden City is a symbolic place to visit during these festivities.
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Hong Kong (China): The streets of Hong Kong come alive with colorful parades, dances, fireworks, and typical food stalls. The city is also famous for its perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
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Taipei (Taiwan): Every year, Taipei hosts one of the most spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations, with an incredible light and fireworks show near the famous Taipei 101.
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Singapore: Here, Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays, with parades through Chinatown, lion dances, and numerous food events.
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Chinatown (San Francisco, USA): If you're in the United States, San Francisco’s Chinatown is famous for its celebrations, including one of the largest and most famous parades in the world.
In 2025, Chinese New Year will mark the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake, a sign rich in symbolism. The snake is often associated with wisdom, mystery, and transformation, while wood represents growth, prosperity, and harmony with nature. This year invites us to reflect on our past actions in order to embrace change with caution and wisdom, but also to cultivate new opportunities with patience.
It’s an ideal time to renew your energy, make mindful choices, and invest in personal and professional growth. If you’re planning a trip or a new adventure, the Year of the Wood Snake could be the perfect opportunity to take a step forward with an open mind and a heart ready to embrace new opportunities.