Spring Festival Activities
Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the largest and most important traditional festival in China. It usually falls in late January or early February and lasts for 15 days. During this time, people from all over the country get together with their families to celebrate the holiday.
There are many traditional activities that take place during Spring Festival. For example, people clean their homes to sweep away bad luck from the previous year and decorate their homes with red lanterns and couplets with auspicious phrases on them. They also buy new clothes, get haircuts, and prepare festive meals.
On New Year's Eve, families get together for a reunion dinner. This is a time for them to catch up and share a big feast. Many traditional dishes are served, such as dumplings, fish, and sticky rice cakes. After dinner, people often light fireworks and firecrackers to scare away evil spirits.
The first day of the lunar new year is considered to be the most important day, and people often visit their relatives and friends to give greetings and exchange red envelopes filled with money. Children are especially excited about the red envelopes, known as "hongbao" in Chinese, as they are a symbol of good luck and fortune.
Throughout the rest of the Spring Festival, people visit temples to pray for good fortune, watch traditional lion and dragon dances, and participate in cultural activities such as calligraphy and paper-cutting. The atmosphere during this time is lively and festive, with the streets and buildings decorated in red and gold and people wearing new clothes and smiling faces.
In recent years, more and more people have begun to celebrate Spring Festival in different ways. Some choose to travel domestically or internationally, while others participate in various cultural events and activities. Regardless of how people choose to celebrate, Spring Festival is a time for family, friends, and new beginnings, and a time to look forward to a prosperous and happy new year.
In conclusion, Spring Festival is a wonderful time to experience Chinese culture and traditions. Whether you are spending time with family or immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere, there is no shortage of exciting things to see and do during this holiday. So, let's embrace the spirit of Spring Festival, and welcome in the new year with joy and happiness!