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Why Not Celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong?

By: Donna Chaffins | Date: January 16, 2013 | Categories: Guest Posts, Holidays and Observances, Travel
 
“Looking for a winter holiday that is original, vibrant, and unforgettable? Fly to Hong Kong to celebrate the Chinese New Year.”

While most people are perfectly happy with a traditional British Christmas and New Year – mainly full of cold weather and too much food – not everyone is so easily satisfied. Some people find themselves seeking something completely different. If you are amongst them, then a holiday to Hong Kong to celebrate the Chinese New Year may offer just the kind of unique and unforgettable experience that you are looking for.


Thankfully, it is quite possible to celebrate both New Years! The next Chinese New Year will be celebrated in February, in accordance with the lunar calendar. With 2013 being the year of the snake and preparations already well underway, the upcoming celebrations promise to be more stunning than ever before.

The traditions behind Chinese New Year

The New Year festival is the biggest event in the Chinese calendar, and is known as the ‘spring festival’. It is a centuries-old tradition that incorporates every aspect of Chinese culture. It is a time for families to reunite, rejoice and make way for another year of good fortune. Most importantly, it is a time to celebrate happiness with the people you love.

Despite the actual date being 10th February 2013, preparations for the festival will begin well in advance. Families will traditionally clean and tidy their homes, whilst preparing food and drink for a true feast. Plants and flowers will be purchased in advance to be planted on the day, a ritual said to bring good luck and fortune. Red envelopes are given to one another, filled with ‘lucky’ money as a gift to unmarried couples or elderly members of the family. These traditions make for a truly memorable celebration of Chinese culture.


In terms of celebration, the Chinese do not like to do things by halves, and the New Year celebrations are no exception. Both locals and tourists will be in for a treat, taking part in a dazzling and unforgettable celebration of the New Year.

A festival filled with fireworks, parades, acrobatics, costumes and music creates a truly magical experience to be enjoyed by all. You will struggle to find a more vibrant, exciting and mesmerizing place to spend this time of year. At midnight, many Chinese families congregate at the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon to plant their flowers in hope of good fortune.

If you do plan to visit this temple – a place which holds a very deep importance in Chinese culture – you may want to learn the phrase “kung hei fat choi”, which translates as “may you prosper in the New Year” – it will definitely be something you will hear from all of the locals!

For an unforgettable holiday that will take you to the beating heart of the Chinese New Year celebrations, why not visit HotelClub.com and book a room at the Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel.


Tags: 2013, chinese new year, chinese new year celebrations, february, hong kong, traditions, traveling, vacation, when is it, winter

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