China Festival ToursYou could enjoy a pleasant Chinese New Year this winter!(February 13 - February 28 )
The Chinese New Year is the most anticipated festival in the Chinese year. Beginning on the first day of the lunar calendar, China's New Year lasts for fifteen days. The festival is beloved by both the young and old alike. The entire country celebrates this ancient festival together. Although many of its traditions' origins have been lost in the mists of times, they are loved by all. On each day of the Chinese New Year different traditions are followed making it unique in the world.
10 days before New Year's Day:
On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, every household in China begins to prepare for the Chinese New Year. The day is known as the Sweeping of the Grounds and on it the entire house must be cleaned from top to bottom. New Year's couplets are hung on either side of the doors, while Door Gods are hung on the doors. Papercuts and New Year's prints are hung on the windows and walls, and the Chinese Character Fu is hung throughout the house. Flowers and fruits are placed throughout the house.
7 days before New Year's Day:
On the twenty third day of the twelfth lunar month, families pay homage to the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God is a Taoist deity who is sent down from heaven to watch over each family and report back to the Jade Emperor what the family had been up to for the year. Traditionally every family had a paper woodblock print of the Kitchen God near their hearth, which was considered the center of the home and every year on this day offerings were made to him before the paper print was burned to help send him on his way to heaven. The offerings consisted of sticky and sweet things in the hope that they would stick his teeth together making it difficult for him to report bad things back to heaven.
New Year's Eve:
On the last day of the twelfth lunar month is Chinese New Year's Eve. The day is a busy one because it is on this day that people return to their hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families. New Year's Eve and day are spent at the Husband's family. On this day is the huge Family Reunion Dinner. The day is spent cooking food and preparing for the dinner. The meal always consists of at least one fish dish because the Chinese word for fish sounds the same as the word for abundance. In the north of China Jiaozi (dumplings) are made and in the south Niangao is made. Both of these dishes symbolize luck and wealth in the upcoming year. After dinner many families go to the local temple to pray for a prosperous new year. In the evening most families tune into the CCTV New Year's Gala on the television. Before midnight every family takes their collection of fireworks outside. At midnight long strings of firecrackers, sometimes consisting of thousands of firecrackers are lit. After they burn out other types of fireworks are lit. This goes on for hours until the early morning. Very few people sleep during the first night of the new year.
The Chinese New Year's Day is spent with the family. In the morning family members gather together and give Hongbao (Red Envelopes to the young members of the family. Many dishes with auspicious meanings are prepared in the morning and taken to the ancestral graves where homage is paid to the family's deceased. The food is offered, incense is burned, and firecrackers are lit at each gravesite. The family then returns home to eat the food that was offered to the ancestors. The rest of the day is spent with family. （If you want to experience the real New year atmosphere, Beijing and Xian are your ideal choice, come to enjoy your own special Chinese New Year experiences here）
Day2:
On the second day of the Chinese New Year family members visit the wife's family. Traditionally in China married women were very rarely able to visit their family. People go out to visit friends and many feasts ensue. Many gifts are given to their friends and their families. The children are given more Hongbao (Red Envelopes), and the visitors are given fruits, and snacks with auspicious meanings. On this day many people are especially nice to dogs because it is believed that the second day of the new year is the birthday of all dogs.
Day3:
On the third and fourth days of the Chinese New Year's it is considered inappropriate to visit friends and relatives because on these two days it is extremely easy to get into arguments.
Day4:
On the third and fourth days of the Chinese New Year's it is considered inappropriate to visit friends and relatives because on these two days it is extremely easy to get into arguments.
Day5:
The fifth day of the Chinese New Year is considered to be the birthday of the God of Wealth. Businessmen in all parts of China pray to him in the hopes of having a good financial year. In parts of China many businesses reopen on this day in the hopes of large profits in the year ahead. It is also believed that Chinese people should not leave the house for very long, in case the God of Wealth comes for a visit. Sweeping the floor is not considered bad luck anymore.
Day6:
On the sixth day of the Chinese New Year, people visit family, friends, and go to the temple. It is another day to spend time with the people most important to each family.
Day7:
The seventh day of the Chinese New Year is considered Renri, which translates as "Human Day". It is considered to be the birthday of all people and on this day they are considered to be a year older. On This day special foods are eaten which have symbolic meanings or can enhance people's health. Many people eat only vegetarian dishes on this day.
Day8:
On the eighth day of the Chinese New Year many families have a second family reunion feast when all family members must attend. At midnight many people pray to the Jade Emperor who is the ruler of heaven.
Day9:
On the ninth day of the Chinese New Year many people offer prayers and offerings to the Jade Emperor. He is the ruler of heaven in the Taoist religion. The ninth day is traditionally considered to be his birthday.
Day10:
On the tenth through the twelfth day of the Chinese New Year people spend time feasting with family and friends.
Day11:
On the tenth through the twelfth day of the Chinese New Year people spend time feasting with family and friends.
Day12:
On the tenth through the twelfth day of the Chinese New Year people spend time feasting with family and friends.
Day13:
On the thirteenth day of the Chinese New Year people generally eat vegetarian or healthy meals to make up for the previous three days of feasting. Vegetarian foods like rice and mustard greens are eaten to cleanse the digestive tract.
Day14:
The fourteenth day of the Chinese New Year is spent preparing for the Lantern Festival which arrives on the following day.
Day15:
The fifteenth and final day of the Chinese New Year is known as Lantern Festival. Families, villages, and entire cities prepare for the event. Many city parks are filled with stunning lantern displays. Many lanterns now, contain computer controlled lighting and movement. Traditionally, homes would be decorated with beautiful lanterns and each person would make their own lantern and carry them into the street for a large parade. Many of the lanterns hung outside of homes, or in town or city squares featured riddles that people tried to solve. The lantern parades would end with a dragon dance. The dragon, made of bamboo, silk, and paper, would be manipulated by young men of the village or city. On this day Tangyuan, its English translation is "candy soup", is eaten. It consists of a sweet ball made of glutinous rice which is cooked in soup. Candles are lit outside of homes to guide spirits on their way home.
China's New Year is the most festive time of the Chinese calendar. It is anticipated by both young and old alike, and is steeped in traditions which have been followed for thousands of years. It is as important to the Chinese people as Christmas is in the West. It is a time of giving, family, and a celebration of what it is to be Chinese. Most Chinese people's fondest memories of their childhood center on the Chinese New Year
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.
