Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy New Year) to our Chinese readers. It’s out with the horse and in with the sheep, the lamb or the goat (depending on who you ask). Chinese New Year is a huge celebration that sees more than one billion people party with friends, feast with family, or perhaps just prepare for some new year shopping. So, let’s take a look at some of the top tradition and locations to celebrate.
The Food
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day dinners are easily one of the most important elements to the annual celebrations. The mealtimes are typically a family reunion dinner that sees far-flung family members return home for a traditional feast. Dinner will often feature fish and dumplings – the most staple ingredient of Northern China – as both dishes signify prosperity. But even for expats overseas, there’s never a shortage of options.
With sweeping views of the resort’s landscaped gardens, the newly refurbished Dubai's Palm Court is definitely a spot to see and be seen in. Inspired by the four elements of earth, air, fire and water, the venue offers guests a choice of spaces to enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea experiences. The venue also offers a selection of Chinese teas as well as authentic entertainment from Chinese Kung Fu "tea masters" and other artists performing throughout the afternoon.
Eat: Palm Court, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
The Shopping
Whether it’s the malls of Macau, Hong Kong’s chic boutiques or Shanghai’s vast shopping streets, there should definitely time for some shopping. Alongside luxury retail options there are always pop-up markets selling New Year-related goods, such as costumes, fireworks, decorations and culinary delights - all decked out with an array of traditional lanterns.
Hong Kong's T Galleria is offering an array of New Year shopping deals at its Hong Kong locations, which can be viewed in the microsite below. The mall even has a "Beauty Concierge" area (below), free for shoppers to take a break and experience wellness treatments, as well as some of the products that are for sale.
The Party
Experience the thronging crowds in Beijing's Ditan Park or Yuanmingyuan for folk performances, lion dances, local snacks and street vendors. Follow the crowds to visit the Drum and Bell towers amid the hutongs of the Dongcheng District for late-night firecracker displays.
Relax afterwards at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, which offers a special Chinese New Year menu. There's delicious and traditional dishes from braised prawn with black truffle to jiaozi (homemade dumplings filled with seafood)—at Cai Yi Xuan, where you’ll receive a complimentary serving of gold ingot–shaped dim sum symbolising good wishes for the year to come.
Party: Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, China
The Fireworks
It wouldn’t be New Year without fireworks. According to Chinese tradition, fireworks are used to drive away evil – so make sure of a pure start to the year. Fireworks are displayed all across China as soon as midnight strikes, and it’s believed that the person who launched the first firework of the New Year will receive good luck.
One of the best places to view a display is at Kerry Hotel, Pudong where, due to its location next to Century Park, you don't even need to leave your suite to enjoy the show. This year, the Shanghai hotel has invited guests to usher in the Year of the Goat with a distinctive experience thanks to its 2015 Chinese New Year Package for the entire family.
Get lucky: Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, China
The Legend
New Year celebrations are unsurprisingly steeped in myth and legend. Since the days of China’s ancient dynasties there’s been a long-held belief in a monster called Nian (meaning “year”) that would visit villagers and prey on livestock every New Year’s Eve. To avoid the attacks, people would flee to the mountains and still refer to this day as “Nian Guan (“the Pass of Nian”).
Stay safe from the monster with a visit to Tengchong Hot Spring Spa Resort, conveniently located next to the entrance of the National Geological Park where you can visit numerous hot pools and lakes. Or, take a trip to the old town of He Shun with the oldest library in China, a World War II Museum and a traditional teahouse. The region is also famous for containing 99 volcanoes.
Stay: Tengchong Hot Spring Spa Resort, Tengchong, China