When you start your China Tours or you stay in China Hotels in winter, you will find that there is something special in China. In winter, Chinese people will meet the coming New Year. Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival is the most important traditional Chinese holidays. The origin of Chinese New Year is several myths and traditions. It has long history and gains significance all over the world. The date of Chinese New Year is based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar. Traditionally, Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day of the first month. Chinese New Year’s Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as chú xī. 
During the festival, regional customs and traditions about the celebration of Chinese New Year vary widely. All the people have a holiday during this festival and go back to their hometowns to celebrate. Because in this festival people who have worked in the whole year have a time for relax and visit their parents and relatives. People will buy some presents, food, clothing and some decorations to welcome the New Year. When you go shopping during this period in China, you will find that all the shopping-mall’s products are in good discount and the whole streets or buildings are put on some red decorations. People could feel the atmosphere of Chinese New Year everywhere.
It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away all bad things and make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be attached with red color paper-cuts and couplets with themes of “happiness”,”wealth”,”health”,”longevity”. Besides, people will make a phone call or sent a message to their friends, colleagues and relatives for celebrating and give them the best wishes in the Chinese New Year or Chinese New Years’ Eve.
On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families, including at least ten dishes. All the people in the family will prepare for the dinner. Food will include such items as pigs, ducks, chicken, fished, vegetables and desserts. People also drink beer or wine, and children should give best wish to their elder generations during the dinner. In the past, people have New Year dinner at home, but recently, eating outside is more and more popular. Many restaurants provide different kinds of “dinner for New Year”. If you want to eat outside, you should book it in advance. During the dinner, people will watch the “New Year’s Party” in the TV. This party is hold by CCTV every year at 8:00pm on the Eve of Chinese New Year. All Chinese people may not miss this program. At mid-night, with the bell of Chinese New Year, people will eat dumplings for being lucky. In some regions, people will put some coins or other materials in the dumplings. If you get one with coin, you will be lucky this year. It is a good sign for people to be successful in their works or studies.
The family will end the night with firecrackers. Although the date of Chinese New Year Early is in the winter, all the people including kids go outside to view the amazing fireworks. In the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes.
If you are interested in the celebration of Chinese New Year and want to know Chinese culture well, please don’t hesitate to book China Flights.
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