Thursday, January 26, 2012

10 things I know about Chinese New Year

*What I have been told, observed and read about Chinese New Year (CNY).* 


1.  It's on the first day of the first month of the Lunar year. Which means the date changes each year since the full moon occurs on different dates every year. But it's usually between January-February. This year's CNY (Chinese New Year) is on January 23rd.

2. It's the longest and the most important Chinese Celebration. The 15 day celebration is concluded with a Lantern festival on the last day. Although it is celebrated over the course of 15days, national holiday is only 7days.

3. The biggest human migration occurs around this time of year when Chinese both home and abroad make their way back home to celebrate the holiday. This means Beijing, as well as other large cities with a large migrant (out of towners) population is emptier.

4. It is loud. Though I would expect the city to be quieter due to scanty streets, the city is however bombarded with firecrackers all day long, everyday, through out the entire holiday. 


5. Theft around Spring festival (also known as CNY) is very high, because holidays are very expensive as we all know.  It is also expected that working adults give younger children in the family money in a red envelope (hong bao) in addition to gifts that are exchanged among friends and family.



6. The Reunion Dinner is a feast with many dishes which differs with every region. Dishes may include dumplings, fish, duck, e.t.c, with each dish having a traditional significance. This feast happens on CNY eve where every or most of the family member is present, including their "deceased " ancestors. 


7. It is RED everywhere
people would decorate their home and place of work with red decors. They will also wear red on New Years. 


8. Adults in the "marrying age" will sometimes "rent" a boyfriend or girlfriend to take home to their parents. 
Looking to rent a Boyfriend for 5 days, Pay-$1600CAD! 


9. Taxi's are hard to find. I had to wait on a queue for about 20minutes when I returned to the city on New Year's eve. This was obviously because a significant number of the cab drivers were having a delicious feast at home with their living and deceased family. 


10. Everywhere is closed! Because Beijing has a high population of migrants with small shops and kiosks, their presence and importance is only felt when most shops on streets are closed. This means, I will have to drink boiled tap water for the next few days, though I hear there isn't much of a difference.

3 comments:

t-lope said...

lol to the boyfriend rental! useful info

Ifybaby said...

Lol nice write-up..

dupsy said...

hahaha in terestingg stuff