What to do in Hong Kong for Chinese New Years
Chinese New Year is a massive event on the calendar. Now that Hong Kong is back under the umbrella of China (being a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), celebrating the occasion here promises a super-fun time for all.
The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first moon of the lunar calendar. This tends to either be in January or February, depending on the cycle. It is also known as the Lunar New Year.
The celebrations last for a full 15 days, and it’s basically a two-week party and time for the local people to spend some time with their nearest and dearest.
But the festive events aren’t just random, they follow a pattern with certain traditions happening on specific days of the celebratory period.
New Year’s Eve
This is where families come together for a huge reunion meal. After eating, it’s traditional to visit one of the brightly decorated flower markets that will be open until the early hours.
In the previous couple of weeks the markets will begin to prepare for the celebrations. Beautiful sprays of blooms and highly decorated trees are important symbols of this time of year.
It’s a riot of colour, decorations and happiness – and these flower markets are a huge attraction for both locals and visitors alike throughout the two weeks of celebrations.
Wishing trees also abound. Be sure to write your wish on a piece of paper, attach it to a piece of string with an orange on the end, and throw it up into the branches. If the string catches on a branch, then it’s said that your wish will be granted.
Be sure to visit the Won Tai Sin Temple in the wee hours for another ages old tradition, where you can light incense along with the locals.
New Year’s Day
Visiting the many temples will be sure to have you mingling with locals and tourists alike. Do as the Chinese do and bring offerings of food and incense.
This is a day of spending time with relatives and loved ones and paying respects to family members who are no longer around today. In the evening, it’s time for the fantastic International Chinese New Year’s Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui.
From today and onwards throughout the festive period, dragon and lion dances take place all over the city.
Day 2
This is the day that married daughters return home to spend time with their parents and enjoy a family meal. In the evening, it’s time for the world renowned firework display that takes place over Victoria Harbour.
Day 3
Known as ‘Chec Hao’, this is traditionally the day that locals go to watch horse racing. If that’s something you’d like to do, then it’s advisable to book tickets way, way in advance.
A little word of advice, Chec Hao is known as the day of the celebrations most likely for people to get a little over-raucous and get into a bit of an argument. So make sure you steer clear of any troublesome groups.
Day 4
Time for some retail therapy, as today the shops re-open their doors.
Day 7
Yen Yat – or ‘the common man’s birthday.’ So, as is only right on such a day, eat, drink and be merry.
Day 15
The last day of the celebrations is the time for the amazing Spring Lantern Festival. Many events take place throughout the city – expect to see the sky festooned as the sun goes down as lanterns fly high into the sky.
During the day there’s a plethora of lantern related fun, including lantern riddle contests, lantern displays and traditional performances.
The colours of Chinese New Year
Red and gold rule when it comes to the celebrations. These colours are signs of both happiness and wealth. Homes, shops, offices – in fact, practically everywhere will be festooned with decorations in these colours.
Although the celebrations last for ‘only’ 15 days, preparations will start as soon as Christmas is over.
Traditional culinary delights
Hong Kong is a foodie’s paradise at any time of the year, but during the New Year celebrations it becomes even more so.
Traditional dishes include dried oysters, steamed glutinous rice cakes, braised black moss pig’s trotters and Tongyeun (sweet rice balls).
Temple visits
The Chinese New Year celebrations are all about giving thanks for the previous year and praying for good fortune for the next.
Rituals are carried out in the temples, and you too can go along to watch these historical traditions. Check out Man Mo Temple, the Yuen Yuen Institute and the Won Tai Sin Temple.
Travel plans
Because Chinese New Year is all about family and reunion, as you can imagine all forms of transport and accommodation get booked up months in advance.
If you’re planning on doing any travelling at all during the celebrations (or in the days preceding and afterwards), then you’re advised to also book in advance.
However, we know life doesn’t always go to plan. If you or your loved one end up having to organise travel at the eleventh hour, there are a number of online tools you can utilise to help make life as easy as can be.
- For flights, check out websites such as Sky Scanner, which searches a whole host of different airlines in real time, and comes up with availability and prices.
- For accommodation, there are many websites to choose from. But some of our favourites are Trivago, Kayak and Agoda. And it’s always checking out Air BnB as well, for any last minute accommodation needs.
However you celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, embrace all that goes on around you. This is such a traditional celebration for the Chinese – probably the biggest in the year.
The great thing is that even though it is all about family, there are plenty of opportunities for expats and tourists to join in as well. The traditions and customs that take place are, literally, timeless.
If you take a little time to talk to locals and understand exactly what’s going on, this can only enhance your enjoyment of the celebrations.
