A Beijinger's Guide to CNY, Day One
It is the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year! You know what that means... Dumplings, noodles, family reunions, and countless hongbaos! Here's the lowdown on all the traditions of 大年初一 dà nián chū yī, the first day of the Lunar New Year.
1. Buying new clothes
When I was a
kid, celebrating Chinese New Year was always exciting. This wasn't just
because of all the food to be had, but mainly because I'd get to flaunt
all the new clothes my grandma had bought for me. This time of year is
all about warding off evil spirits and letting in good luck, and,
surprise surpise, a lot of folks believe swapping out old clothes for
new is one way of doing just that. Here in Beijing, there are many malls
for you to shop at. Some local favorites include The Place or The Malls at Oriental Plaza. Why not pick up some new clothes to welcome the new
year?
Are you ready for another round of shopping spree to hoard some clothes for New Year?
2. Eat dumplings
Another method
for getting good luck in the year ahead is making and eating dumplings.
This tradition is especially popular among people living in the north,
who make dumplings in the shape of 元宝yuánbǎo, a shoe-shaped type of
gold, meaning after you eat the dumplings, your fortune will also start
rolling in.
One of my favorite places to indulge in these
colorful pockets of goodness is Baoyuan Dumplings Restaurant. Each of
these dumplings has a nice blend of rich ingredients and they taste
truly delicious when you dip them in soy sauce and vinegar.
How can you say no to these cuties?
3. Spend quality time with family and friends
If
I can sum up Chinese New Year in one word, it would be reunion. People
always visit family and friends to pass on good wishes for the New Year.
So, why not take this opportunity to surround yourself with friends and
wish them good luck? Or make that phone call to your family and friends
to check on them and send your warmest greetings?
4. Eat more noodles
It is
believed that if you eat noodles on this day, you will live a long and
healthy life. Why not feast on some dan dan noodles at Meizhou Dongpo or
get a bowl of 炸酱面 zhá jiàng miàn at Jingweizhai Roast Duck Shop to
usher in a year filled with luck and prosperity?
The dan dan noodles at Meizhou Dongpo is definitely something to die for!
5. Send your loved ones a hongbao?
You're
probably familiar with these red envelopes filled with money by now! In
Chinese culture, hongbaos are gifted from the elderly to children to
pass down good luck. But just remember to follow the “old to young” rule
when you are giving someone hongbaos. Generally, hongbaos are given by
people who are older and married to someone who is young and single.
Who do you wish you can send this hongbao to?
Prepping for Preliminary New Year, a Brief Primer on Xiaonian
Images: Dianping
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