Where Can You See Lion Dancing This Year?
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If you’ve experienced anything remotely
close to a Chinese New Year celebration, chances are you’ve seen some
form of lion dancing. Traditionally, lion dancing is done on the first
day of the lunar new year and it’s meant to bring good luck and fortune.
On other special occasions, it’s used to show respect and well wishes
for the guests of honor.
These dances begin with the guest of
honor painting the eyes of the lions to bring them to life. Then the
performers do an impressive routine that usually involves feeding the
lion lettuce, who promptly spits it back out. Why lettuce and why the
spitting? Well, the Chinese word for lettuce sounds similar to the word
for “wealth,” so when the lion eats the wealth and spits it at the
audience, it’s effectively an offering of prosperity.
With all
these lion dances, the performers will move around the establishment so
it’s best to show up a bit earlier. The lions wait for no one!
So, where can you see some lion dancing this year and maybe get a bit of good luck from them for the coming year?
Hotel Jen Beijing 新国贸饭店
Hotel Jen’s lion dance will take place in their lobby starting at 8.18am. Be sure to get there earlier to snag a good spot.
Address:
1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号
Tel: 6505 2277
虎
年
大
吉
Fairmont Beijing Hotel 北京华彬费尔蒙酒店
Gather in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel before 9.58 am and get yourself a good spot to see the lion dances.
Address:
8 Yong’an Dongli, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街永安东里8号
Tel: 8511 7777
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年
大
吉
China World Summit Wing Hotel 国贸大酒店
This
one gives you a few more hours to sleep in on Feb 1. Their lion dancing
starts at 8.38am but they recommend that you get to the lobby by 8.10am
if you’d like to watch the performance
Address:
1 Jianguomenwai Dajie
建国门外大街1号
Tel: 6505 2299
Universal Studios Beijing 北京环球度假区
Inside
the park, they’ll be doing multiple dances throughout the day on
Hollywood Blvd. Much like the parades, you’ll wanna post up along the
boulevard to watch the performances at 11am, 3.30pm, and 4.45pm.
Address:
Liyuan Town, Tongzhou District
通州区梨园镇
Peninsula Hotel Beijing 王府半岛酒店
I
love how festive the Peninsula gets for every holiday. Their lion
dancing is a few days later than everyone else’s and it lets you sleep
in a few extra hours to boot. On Feb 4, the lions start their show in
the lobby at 11am. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot!
Address:
8 Jinyu Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区金鱼胡同8号
Tel: 8516 2888
Images: Pexels, giphy, Fairmont Beijing, Mina Yan
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