My Take | There is something special about a Lunar New Year in Hong Kong
For ex-residents, this is the time to miss the city and remember past celebrations. The beginning of the Year of the Snake will be no exception
Lunar New Year is a time when former Hong Kong residents, like myself, miss the city and rekindle memories of past celebrations. The beginning of the Year of the Snake will be no exception.
Many of the traditions, from temple blessings to fortune telling, are lost on us Westerners. But there is still much to enjoy.
The period after Christmas, at least in Britain, where I now live, is a melancholy time. The weather is grim, the holiday over and all most people have to look forward to is a detox to recover from their excesses. Last Monday, known as “Blue Monday” here, is regarded as the most depressing day of the year.
But in Hong Kong, this is not a problem. You can move seamlessly from Christmas to the festivities and long public holiday offered by Lunar New Year. The mood is cheerful, as people look forward to family get-togethers and traditional food. There are no January blues.
The festival is a draw for tourists. But I never saw it as the best time to visit Hong Kong. The weather is not usually at its best and this is the only time of year when shops close. Many residents take the opportunity to travel to the mainland or overseas.
But Hong Kong has high hopes for Lunar New Year arrivals this year, as the city seeks to boost its economy and rebound from the pandemic. An influx of around 1.45 million visitors from the mainland alone are expected over the holiday.
There are many attractions, from the grand parade in Tsim Sha Tsui on Wednesday to the fireworks display over the harbour the following evening. Then there are the traditional flower markets, food offerings, lion dances and musical performances.
