Celebrate Chinese New Year Like a Local
Staying in shanghai over Chinese New Year and looking to immerse yourself in local culture? There are plenty of options besides the routine of partying and using illegal fireworks… although those are fun too.
BELL RINGING AT LONG HUA TEMPLE
Every year, you can join the masses at Long Hua temple as Buddhists monks strike the bell at midnight. The party starts around 10pm that night and usually includes a welcoming ceremony, traditional music, lion and dragon dances, riddle-guessing, and an exhibition of ancient Buddhist relics and musical instruments.
ORIGIN
The temple was built during the Wu Kingdom in AD 220 as a repository for Buddhist scriptures, seals, statues and even (rumored) remains. Ringing of the bell is a yearly, and quite prestigiously attended custom. Chinese believe ringing the bell will ward away evil spirits, and signify an abundant and bountiful new year ahead.
Address: No.2853, Long Hua Road, Xu Hui District
Hours: 7 am to 4:40pm (the ordinary days); 5am to 4pm (1st day and 15th day of the lunar new year)
LANTERN FESTIVAL
Photo source: mcdaniel.hu/
The Lanten Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar. This year that is Feb 11th. However, if you want to see the beautiful light show at Yi Garden there are plenty of other days to check it out! They are on full display every day January 15th-27th from 5:30-9pm, January 28th -Feb 2nd from 5:30-10pm, and February 3rd-14th from 5:30-9pm.
Photo source: ITV.com
ORIGIN:
There are many legends about the origins of this event, but the most common one is that it’s a way for people to combat the cold, dark nights of winter with their man-made lights, representing hope and prosperity moving forward.
Address: 218 Anren St, Huangpu Qu
Hours: Open daily, 8.30am-5pm (extended to 9pm for holidays)
HOW DO LOCALS CELEBRATE?
NEW YEARS EVE (JAN 27):
Families will gather for a dinner and paste couplets on the outside of the home. Red envelopes will be exchanged. Children will be encouraged to stay up late, which symbolizes the parent’s longevity.
NEW YEARS DAY (JAN 28):
Photo source: gettycritics.com
First day of the lunar new year, where most people will stay home with their families. During this day, no housework should be conducted because even the slightest sweeping may just “sweep away the good fortune”.
2ND TO 4TH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (JAN 29- 31)
Photo source: gettycritics.com
During this time, people will go to each other’s homes to wish good blessings. Traditionally, it is the younger generation that will visit the elder. Upon going to the homes, it is polite to bring gifts such as fruits, nuts, biscuits, flowers.
5th DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (FEB 1)
Photo source: gettycritics.com
This is one of the most joyous days of the New Year celebration aside from New Year’s Eve, as the 5th day signifies the descent of the God of Fortune. Beginning from the evening of the 4th Day of Lunar New Year, neighbors will leave their lights on until after midnight on the 5th Day, just to attract the God of Fortune to the home. For those who are living outside the Inner Ring, you can expect to hear fireworks at midnight and see houses lit up.
15TH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR(FEB 11)
Lantern Festival. This is the final day of the Chinese New Year Celebration. You can see kids running around with Lanterns, or an array of beautiful colors on display, especially during the Lantern Festival at Yu Gardens.
WE WISH YOU A PROSPEROUS YEAR OF THE ROOSTER!
We want to know how you are celebrating Chinese New Year! Let us know in the comment below!
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