The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most significant traditional festival in China. It follows the lunar calendar and usually falls between late January and mid-February.
Preparation starts early, with families cleaning their houses thoroughly to sweep away bad luck from the old year. Red couplets are pasted on doors, symbolizing good fortune and warding off evil spirits. The reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is the highlight, where relatives gather to enjoy a sumptuous meal, sharing stories and laughter.
During the festival, people visit relatives and friends, exchanging greetings and lucky red envelopes filled with money, especially for children. The streets come alive with lion and dragon dances, accompanied by the deafening sound of firecrackers. These traditions have been passed down for centuries, carrying the rich cultural heritage of China and bringing warmth, joy, and a sense of unity to people’s lives each year.