China is the birthplace of the Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, and Beijing, its capital, is an unparalleled destination to experience the celebration. The festivities are characterized by traditional performances such as dragon and lion dances, and the renowned Temple Fairs. Festivities take a grand turn at Ditan Park, where the fair exhibits the city’s cultural richness. Spectacular fireworks that light up the sky are another hallmark, creating a magical spectacle. In the Hutongs, the old neighborhoods, red lanterns dangle from the houses, and the smell of dumplings fills the air. Beijing is an unforgettable place to immerse in Chinese tradition and welcome the New Year.
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong celebrates Chinese New Year with a unique blend of modernity and tradition. The highlights are the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade at Tsim Sha Tsui, featuring flamboyant floats, international and local performers, and the iconic dragon dance. The Victoria Harbor fireworks, considered one of the most impressive globally, is a must-see. On the second day, the city hosts a well-attended horse racing event at Sha Tin Racecourse, integrating sporting thrills into the cultural festivities. The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees in the New Territories, where you can write wishes on joss paper and throw them into the tree, adds a touch of spirituality to the celebrations.
Singapore
Singapore, a multicultural city-state, offers a dazzling blend of cultures for Chinese New Year. Chinatown comes alive with decorations, street performances, and bazaars selling traditional festive items. River Hongbao, held at The Float @ Marina Bay, hosts large-scale lantern displays, carnival games, and nightly fireworks. The Chingay Parade, Asia’s largest street performance and float parade, showcases local and international performances celebrating the year’s zodiac animal. A visit to the city’s temples, like Thian Hock Keng and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, provides a serene contrast to the vibrant celebrations outside.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, the Lunar New Year is a grand affair. The city’s vibrant Chinatown, Petaling Street, is beautifully adorned with red lanterns and offers a variety of festive goods. The Thean Hou Temple, one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and largest temples, holds grand celebrations featuring lion dances, dragon dances, and cultural performances. At the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, shoppers can enjoy festive sales and be entertained by lion dance performances. The rich and diverse street food scene offers a chance to try traditional New Year’s dishes such as yee sang (prosperity toss salad), a local New Year delicacy.
Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei’s Chinese New Year is steeped in tradition and folklore. The city is home to the iconic Taipei 101 fireworks display, synchronized to music and creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The Dihua Street Market is a must-visit for its festive atmosphere, traditional goods, and New Year delicacies. The Lantern Festival, held at the end of the New Year period, is a highlight where lanterns of all shapes and sizes illuminate the city. The temples, such as the Longshan Temple, are bustling with locals making offerings and praying for a prosperous year ahead.
Yokohama, Japan
Yokohama’s Chinatown, Japan’s largest, comes alive during Chinese New Year. The streets are filled with vibrant parades featuring lion and dragon dances, and traditional music fills the air. The Kanteibyo Temple becomes a hub of activity, with locals and visitors alike coming to offer prayers for the coming year. The lantern festival, held towards the end of the celebrations, adds a captivating charm to the streets. Firecrackers, an integral part of the festivities, add a burst of color and sound, warding off evil spirits. Yokohama’s Chinatown also offers a culinary feast, with special New Year foods like dumplings, spring rolls, and niangao (rice cakes) in abundance.
Seoul, South Korea
In Seoul, the Chinese New Year, also known as Seollal, is one of the most significant traditional Korean holidays. Celebrations often include ancestral rites, wearing hanbok (traditional Korean attire), playing folk games, and preparing festive foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup). In Myeongdong, the city’s shopping district, lion dance performances can be enjoyed, and vendors offer traditional Korean New Year foods. The Jogyesa Temple offers a chance to experience a Buddhist celebration, while the Namsangol Hanok Village offers traditional games and activities that provide a cultural immersion into Korean New Year traditions.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called Tet. Ho Chi Minh City becomes a riot of color, with streets lined with yellow apricot blossoms and peach blossoms. The city’s main Tet Flower Market at Tao Dan Park is a must-visit. The Nguyen Hue Flower Street, an annual event, showcases elaborate floral decorations and sculptures. Traditional Vietnamese customs, including ancestral honoring and family reunions, are an integral part of the celebration. The Lunar New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Saigon River adds a dazzling touch to the city’s Tet celebrations.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat, is the epicenter of Lunar New Year celebrations in Thailand. Streets are adorned with red lanterns and the atmosphere is charged with the excitement of lion dances, dragon parades, and Chinese opera performances. Festive markets sell a range of goods, including traditional foods like dumplings and mooncakes. The city’s temples, especially Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, are busy with Thais and Chinese-Thais alike offering incense, praying for good fortune in the upcoming year. The week-long celebration is concluded with a captivating fireworks display.
Manila, Philippines
The Chinese New Year in Manila is a colorful fusion of Filipino and Chinese cultures. The main celebration occurs in Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown. Here, dragon and lion dances, cultural shows, and fireworks displays can be seen on every corner. Traditional customs such as tikoy (sticky rice cake) giving and wearing red for luck are practiced. The midnight ceremony at the Seng Guan Temple is a sight to behold, with monks chanting blessings for the New Year. Throughout the city, malls join in the festivities with sales, shows, and traditional Chinese New Year decorations. It’s a testament to Manila’s vibrant multicultural spirit.
