The strike of midnight in America brings in the New Year and marks the countdown to the return of work. Not the case in China where New Year’s celebrations continue until February. Beginning Jan 22, the beginning of the lunar year, the party will get underway with family get-togethers, envelopes of lucky money and lighting firecrackers. The streets in cities across China will be full of floats as parades dance into the New Year. Nowhere will celebrations be bigger than Hong Kong where entertainers of all sorts in colorful costumes take the Tsim Sha Tsui district by storm. Flowers will be seen around the city as the hopes of a new year take flight. The New Year will conclude on Feb 15 with the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the first lunar cycle. The year 2012 will also mark the year of the Dragon. Anyone lucky enough to be born during the year will enter the world brave, honest and trustworthy... or so it is believed according to the zodiac.
Travel to China to bring in the New Year
Why not escape the routine of New Year and bring in 2012 in China! Beware that New Year in China will mean very crowded airports and train stations as millions of workers migrate home. If you survive the people, then be sure to make your way to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on Jan 23 for spectacular fireworks displays. Or try China’s capital city Beijing for the best Lantern Festival in the country to end the New Year. To visit China Americans are required to apply for a visa in advance and must have at least six months validity remaining on their passport.
