By Rory Boland
Hong Kong/Macau Travel Expert, about.com
When is Chinese New Year?[post_ads_2]
The date for Chinese New Year
shifts each year based on the phases of the moon. In 2016 Chinese New
Year falls on February 8th, 9th and 10th. These are public holidays in
Hong Kong.
Traditions and customs at Chinese New Year
Just
like turkey and stockings at Christmas, Chinese New Year in Hong Kong
has a long list of traditions and customs. Many of the traditions have a
similar flavour to those during Christmas, such as visiting family and
exchanging Lai See gifts, but some are unique.
You'll find temples open around the clock, gifts
piled up at the feet of the gods and flower markets packed from floor to
ceiling with kumquat trees. Get familiar with the rituals of Chinese
New Year below.
- Traditions at Chinese New Year - the key traditions and how they are celebrated.
- Traditional Chinese Temple Photo Tour - what to expect when you step inside a Chinese temple.
- Giving the Gift of Lai See - we explain the rules that govern the giving of Lai See.
- How to say Happy Chinese New Year - what to say it and how to say it at Chinese New Year.
Superstitions at Chinese New Year
The Chinese are firm
believers in good and bad luck, and Chinese New Year is a veritable
Russian roulette of both. Although there is nothing you can do to change
the inherent luck in your star sign, Chinese New Year is the best
opportunity to bank yourself some luck for the coming year. From not
cleaning the house, to stowing away your scissors, there are plenty of
traditions and superstitions designed to bring success and prosperity
for the coming year.
- Top Ten Chinese New Year Superstitions - how to win some luck for the year ahead
- Chinese New Year Superstitions in China - all the do's and the don'ts
What To See[post_ads_2]
Chinese New Year
celebrations in local Chinatowns around the world are inspired by those
in Hong Kong. Thanks to streams of emigration from the city, much of
what is seen in Chinese celebrations from San Francisco to Sydney
originated in Hong Kong.
So while different parts of China all celebrate
in different ways and with different traditions, the Hong Kong
celebrations are those that most visitors are familiar with -
essentially fireworks, dragon dances and a parade of carnival floats.
Celebrations
in Hong Kong are spread over three days and include fireworks over
Victoria Harbour and an international cast of characters dancing and
singing their way through Tsim Sha Tsui. Find out more about events in
Hong Kong and around the world with the links below.
- Events in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong's Chinese New Year Parade
Elsewhere - Chinese New Year in Macau
- What's Happening in China
- What's Happening in New York
- What's Happening in the UK
Horoscopes[post_ads_2]
Each lunar year is dominated by one of the 12 Chinese animal signs,
which in turn decides whether your year will be serene or stormy. Most
of this depends on your own animal sign being on good terms with
whichever animal sign rules the year, as well as a host of stars that
decide everything from your career prospects to what color you should
paint your kitchen. This Chinese New Year (2016) is the year of the
monkey.
- Your 2016 Chinese Horoscopes - what to expect for your star sign over the next 12 months.
- Famous Stars Born in the Year of the Monkey - the celebrities born as Monkeys.
