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Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is celebrated across China and in many parts of Asia and the world where Chinese communities can be found. It is often marked by time off work or school and includes family visits, meals together, and games like mahjong.
last updated:
14 November, 2024
The Lunar New Year fair at Victoria Park will remain open overnight. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong florists cut prices as buyers sniff out Lunar New Year fair deals

Vendors at Victoria Park fair are eager to clear stock by offering steep discounts before the Lunar New Year fair closes.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Hit N Fun: warm-hearted boxing drama by Rob N Roll filmmaker

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Chinese culture

Feng shui master’s tips for Snakes in the Year of the Snake

DeepSeek

China’s DeepSeek goes quiet for Lunar New Year as AI models rattle Wall Street

The Hangzhou office of China’s hottest start-up has recently seen several uninvited guests trying to see the team responsible for shaking up AI.

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DeepSeek’s rapid rise is causing Silicon Valley to reassess business strategies in artificial intelligence. Photo: Reuters
Accidents and disasters in China

China faces ‘another test’ as travellers shiver through annual holiday rush

Transport officials urged to be alert and prepared as world’s biggest annual migration of humanity heads home during Spring Festival.

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History

The Lunar New Year poon choi feast isn’t just about food

Having started as a rustic meal jointly made by rural households to enjoy together, poon choi is now a family-favourite Chinese New Year staple in Hong Kong.

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Chinese overseas

Chinese tourists, wary of Thailand, plan other stops for Lunar New Year travel

Worried for their safety, China’s outbound tourists have pulled back on Thailand travel plans, opting for Japan and Malaysia as alternatives.

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Thailand, typically a popular destination for Chinese tourists, has lost some appeal after a high-profile kidnapping has caused safety concerns. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong tourism

Mainlanders make 419,072 trips to Hong Kong ahead of Lunar New Year holiday

Hongkongers, meanwhile, embarked on about 1.2 million outbound trips over the same period between Saturday and Monday.

Women and gender

Women in this Chinese lion dance troupe also fling around the men

The Lingdong troupe from Shantou in China includes around 20 female performers, but there has been some mockery amid the positive reactions.

Christmas

Opinion | Holidays can bring families together, and sometimes nations too

Having celebrated Christmas in China and Lunar New Year in the US, I’ve come to cherish loved ones on both sides of the Pacific.

A lion dance during Lunar New Year celebrations in New York’s Chinatown on February 19, 2015. Photo: Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong man, 29, lured to Southeast Asian ‘scam farm’ returns home

Security official will remain in Bangkok to continue efforts to rescue 10 other residents stranded in similar fraud centres in region.

The man (right) held captive at a scam farm since October has returned to Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong tourism

Hongkongers depart for Lunar New Year, but analysts upbeat on economy

More than 800,000 Hongkongers have already left two days before Lunar New Year break, with fewer than 400,000 visitors arriving.

China’s Communist Party

China’s Lunar New Year gala to feature US rock band OneRepublic

The annual television extravaganza, which is tightly scripted to highlight Beijing’s priorities, rarely features American performers.

China’s Communist Party

Xi puts focus on defusing economic risks in Lunar New Year message

China remains ‘key engine’ of global growth and will push ahead with reforms and guard against ‘external shocks’, leader says.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a Lunar New Year address on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | My Best Bet: Charlene Choi, Louis Cheung battle gambling addiction

A man with an aversion to gamblers marries a gambling addict in Andy Lo’s comedy. The writer-director shows a gift for nonsensical humour.

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Charlene Choi in a still from My Best Bet.
China travel

Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China

Spring Festival celebrations include a reunion dinner gathering for pet dogs in Shanghai

China's economic recovery

Spring Festival reunion dinner bookings a ray of hope for China’s restaurateurs

Restaurants across the country offer more affordable set menus for Lunar New Year’s Eve in bid to attract more diners.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks set to attract 400,000 to Victoria Harbour

Extensive road closures expected, as police warn of increased water patrols to crack down on crew operating boats while under the influence.

The Lunar New Year fireworks in Victoria Harbour in 2024. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Lunar New Year fair in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po reopens after wind damage

But stall owners at the bazaar in Cheung Sha Wan Playground have complained that the government’s handling of the emergency fell short.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s sticky, ‘delicious’ Lunar New Year delicacy takes 12 hours to make

Wrapped cakes of glutinous rice, green beans and pork belly have been a Lunar New Year speciality in Vietnam for centuries.

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong feels the chill at 10 degrees Celsius, lowest so far this winter

Observatory expects weather will remain cold on Tuesday and Wednesday, the first day of Lunar New Year.

The Hong Kong Observatory says the weather will be cold and very dry on Monday. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong

Your perfect week: what to do in Hong Kong, January 26-February 1

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a special Hakka menu, watch football stars compete, and enjoy an all-Mozart concert after some Aperol Spritzes.

David Villa of World Legends in action during last year’s Chinese New Year Cup. The latest edition between World Legends and Hong Kong Legends takes place at Hong Kong Stadium on February 1. Photo: Getty Images
China’s Communist Party

China’s party leaders send Lunar New Year wishes to over 100 retired seniors

President Xi Jinping and other top leaders visited or deputed others to visit 130 ex-officials ahead of annual holiday, Xinhua reports.

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China’s Communist Party

No ‘red packets’ online for Lunar New Year, China’s Communist Party warns cadres

Exchange of digital presents that may influence official work to be seen as violating ‘red lines’ in party discipline, personnel office says.

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Hong Kong culture

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.

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Hongkongers admire the Lunar New Year fireworks at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on February 11, 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee
China property

Can Shanghai absorb 84,000 homes this year as sales slow, prices rise?

Some 30,000 flats from 270 projects are due to be launched this year, while developers are sitting on an inventory of 54,000 units.

Nearly 57,250 new homes were sold in Shanghai last year, 24 per cent fewer than 2023, according to data compiled by a property consultancy. Photo: Getty Images
Health & Fitness

5 fresh starts for your exercise goals: 2025 looks from top fitness brands

The Zupe: Superhealth for Everyone app is on the iOS App Store, while other items on our list are available at your favourite high-street stores.

Retailing

Bloom and gloom: China’s Spring Festival flower sales hit by dim demand, weather

Lunar New Year botanical fairs see stall costs and plant prices plunge amid consumption woes in lead-up to holiday, boding poorly for domestic demand.

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