If you do not want the festivities to end after Christmas and New Year then fear not, for the Chinese New Year is here! Celebrated at the beginning of the New Year as per the Lunar Calendar followed by the Chinese, it always falls on January or February and is also known as the Spring Festival of the east. The year 2013 has been named the year of the Dragon. History has it that this was the time farmers in China would prepare to sow their fields.
The Christmas decor are quickly replaced with crimson Chinese New Year decor of orange trees, lanterns and other deep red paper decorations. Gorgeous classical music plays in every corner of the city. It is a time for families to come together. A reunion dinner is held in every household, when the whole family comes together in the oldest person’s home or in a chosen restaurant, with lavishly set tables. It is also a time for giving among the family, orange trees and little packets of money known as Ang-poh are exchanged between adults and children.
The tradition has developed from an agrarian community in China. Farmers would sow their seeds in spring, reap the autumn harvest, relax in summer and take a break in winter. However it is now an event celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia and many other counties where Chinese communities reside.
It is a great time to visit China, and absorb a bit of the festivities this year of the Dragon. Most hotels in China offer amazing rates at this time of the year. It is also the best time for shopping in China, where the festival results in great prices and great variety, not to mention amazing discounts!
Great places to reside in while you fall into foot with the crimson festivities are the properties belonging to Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China. With properties widely spread across China this chain also offers Greater China hotels that would add to your experience of this amazing country. These hotels in China are equipped with state of the art amenities and star class service standards that will help make your stay all the more enjoyable.
