China Festival ToursYou could enjoy a pleasant Chinese New Year this winter!(February 13 - February 28 )
My Chinese New Year's are fantastic. My wife's hometown is near the small city of Binyang near Nanning in Guangxi Province. She was born in a small village of less than 100 people in the outskirts of Binyang. Because of this our Chinese New Year's are extremely traditional affairs, which are centered on family and friends.
New Year's Eve:
On New Year's Eve my wife, our daughter, my mother-in -law and I head to Binyang from Guilin, which requires taking a train, a bus, a motorcycle taxi, a mini bus, and another motorcycle taxi. Since we are the only family members who live so far from the area and since my mother-in law lives with us, the entire village turns out to greet us on the side of the road. We then hike the remaining distance to the village on foot because vehicles can't make it. I am quickly attacked by all of my nephews who are wondering what I have brought them. Since the long hike gives us all time to catch up on happenings, once we arrive at the house we get right to work. First we burn incense for the ancestors before setting about cleaning the house. The entire house must be completely cleaned and the entire family lends a hand. It is believed that no cleaning can be done on the first day of the near year because by cleaning, you will actually be cleaning away your good luck in the New Year.
In the evening a huge meal is prepared by the women and I usually make one dish myself because they all think it is fun to eat a Chinese dish prepared by an expat. After dinner the entire family sits down and chats and drinks together it is a wonderful evening. Of course, everybody spoils my daughter because they don't get to see her too often. Just before midnight everybody gets out their fireworks. A lot of money is spent on fireworks which are considered an indispensable part of the New Year's festival. It is one of my nephews' favorite parts. At midnight everybody begins with long strings of fireworks, and then anything goes and fireworks are going off for hours. It lights up the village is dazzling lights. Of course while this is going on my wife and daughter are hiding in the farthest part of the village to keep from scaring my daughter. After the fireworks everybody heads to bed.
New Year's Day:
In the morning the entire family gets up early and light off more fireworks. Then everybody pitches in to cook a huge variety of dishes. The food is then taken to the graves of the ancestor's one at a time. At each grave the food is laid out and then incense is lit by each person and placed in front of the tomb. Alcohol is poured on the ground for the deceased and cigarettes are lit for them. Fireworks are then lit to scare away any evil spirits. After, everyone heads home and breakfast is prepared by the women. It consists of sweet dumplings in a soup. It is a very delicious meal which is only made once a year, so everyone really looks forward to it. The rest of the day is pretty relaxed. Family members just sit and chat. Traditionally you only stay with your family and do not visit with others, but since the village is so small, and every house is located just feet away from their neighbors, the tradition has pretty much been abandoned. Another part of Chinese New Year's that children particularly look forward to are hongbao, which translates as Red Envelope. Each red envelope contains money which is given to children in the family. They can use this money as they see fit. In the late afternoon, the food that was presented to the ancestors is eaten for dinner.
New Year's Day 2:
Traditionally New Year's Day is spent at the husband's family, and the second day is spent at the wife's, but since my family lives in the States, this tradition isn't adhered to. We spend the day visiting with the neighbors and a huge feast is prepared during the day and in the afternoon the feast begins and everyone gorges themselves on fantastic traditional cuisine, during which many breaks are taken and much tea and alcohol is consumed.
New Year's Days 3-10:
The rest of the days of the Chinese New Year are spent with family and friends. I grew up on a farm and take great joy in helping the family on the farm. They lived as they have for centuries and it is a lot of fun for me to practice farming the Chinese way. I feed the hogs and help out in the fields.
New Year's Day 11:
This day is very special in Binyang because of the Fireworks Dragon Festival. This festival can be found nowhere else in the world and the locals are extremely proud of it. Only the bravest and boldest men in each village are allowed to participate because it can be a little dangerous and very few participants finish without being burned a little. Each village crafts a dragon out of paper and bamboo with a very long tail made from fireworks. All of the dragons are taken to a central location and the bravest men of the village take hold of the dragon and make him dance while the fireworks explode all around them. Spectators light fireworks and throw them at the dragon. Traditionally the men handling the dragons are bare backed and have to withstand the fireworks and sparks. Each team wears a special helmet made of bamboo which resembles a traditional Chinese conical hat. Each village's helmet is unique and are taken are a symbol of pride and bravery. My cousin gave me his last year which is a very huge honor because they are not parted with lightly and are usually saved year after year. The Fireworks Dragon Festival was included on Guangxi's first intangible cultural heritage list.
Chinese New Year's is most people's favorite time of the year. It is a time for family and friends. My family and I look forward to it every year. One of the unique aspects of Chinese New Year is that each part of China has its own unique customs. Even neighboring villages have different customs from each other, making each person's hometown's traditions all the most special to them.
If you are interested in this tour program and if you want to modify the itinerary in any way, please feel free to contact us.
