Christmas is over. Santa Clauses and reindeer that have been occupying shop windows since November are being replaced by red lanterns. Streets become more and more bright and colorful with little lights and decorations. It’s unmistakable sign that lunar New Year is coming near. You’re pretty excited. This year you were invited to spend this holiday with a Chinese family…
Red lanterns Probably each Westerner associates Chinese New Year with fireworks, dragon dance, festival full of people and music. That’s the image that was created in our minds by the news we saw in TV. The thing is those loud and colorful celebrations are in truth rather exception than norm (you can see those only in big cities). For the average Chinese citizen New Year looks entirely different.
At this time of the year whole China is in motion. People travel (sometimes very long distance) to be able to sit with a whole family during the New Year’s Eve dinner. That is why it’s so difficult to get train or bus tickets at that time. For a long distance train you have to book tickets 3 weeks ahead to be sure that you’ll get a seat. That is also why it’s very bad time for sightseeing.
At this time of the year whole China is in motion. People travel (sometimes very long distance) to be able to sit with a whole family during the New Year’s Eve dinner. That is why it’s so difficult to get train or bus tickets at that time. For a long distance train you have to book tickets 3 weeks ahead to be sure that you’ll get a seat. That is also why it’s very bad time for sightseeing.
Family playing mahjong During the New Year’s Eve whole family meets for a dinner. All children are given hóngbāo (红包 – red envelope with some amount of money). Depending on the number of relatives and their wealth kids might begin New Year with considerable sum of money. Getting around 10000RMB (more than 1600$) is not uncommon.
After the dinner long evening begins filled with… well nothing special. People play cards, mahjong and catch up with family stories. At 20:00 everyone watch special New Year program in TV (the funny thing is the same program is transmitted on literally every channel). At midnight there is a special supper with mandatory dumplings. That is also the time when fireworks start being fired (noise and flashes are believed to scare off evil spirits). Unlike Western countries fireworks doesn’t end on New Year’s Day. They are being fired until the Lantern Festival (15 days after the New Year's Day) on any random time during day or night. Don’t be surprised if you’ll be woken up at 5am by a sudden explosion just outside your window.
Finally having spent whole day (and half of the night) with a Chinese family you can go back to your place strolling down the streets currently resembling a war zone (due to constant explosions). Next day will be another day filled with food, cards, mahjong and TV…
Xīnnián kuàilè! (Happy New Year!)
After the dinner long evening begins filled with… well nothing special. People play cards, mahjong and catch up with family stories. At 20:00 everyone watch special New Year program in TV (the funny thing is the same program is transmitted on literally every channel). At midnight there is a special supper with mandatory dumplings. That is also the time when fireworks start being fired (noise and flashes are believed to scare off evil spirits). Unlike Western countries fireworks doesn’t end on New Year’s Day. They are being fired until the Lantern Festival (15 days after the New Year's Day) on any random time during day or night. Don’t be surprised if you’ll be woken up at 5am by a sudden explosion just outside your window.
Finally having spent whole day (and half of the night) with a Chinese family you can go back to your place strolling down the streets currently resembling a war zone (due to constant explosions). Next day will be another day filled with food, cards, mahjong and TV…
Xīnnián kuàilè! (Happy New Year!)
Chinese New Year - street in Jingnin
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