ASIA CHINESE NEW YEAR DESTINATIONS


C


hinese New Year, Spring Festival, the Lunar New


Year – whatever you call it, this 15-day period sees China burst into colour with parades, dragon dances, lantern festivals and firework displays. Taking place in February


or March each year, with the next New Year’s Day falling on February 5, 2019, it’s a time when bright red lanterns line the streets and indulgent feasts fill the tables. For local people, it’s largely focused on the home, but visitors will find a host of street celebrations across cities in China. Here are some of the best places for clients who want to experience it in all its colourful, chaotic glory.


 HONG KONG Nowhere does Chinese


quite


like Hong Kong, whose multi- day fiesta is one of the best extravaganzas in the world. Celebrations kick off on New


Year’s Day with a night-time parade featuring huge, glittering floats and dancing troupes bopping along to live music from around the world. They continue over the next week and beyond, with a fireworks display over Victoria Harbour (pictured) on the second day, a horse racing event on the third day, and a string of other festivities that range from flower markets to foodie events. Look out for special treats, such as sweet dumplings,


It’s a time when bright red lanterns line the streets and indulgent feasts fill the tables


turnip cake and other dim sum delicacies. Book it: Premier Holidays can offer four nights over Chinese New Year from £849 per person, based on two sharing a room at The Cityview, with flights from Heathrow on February 3, 2019. premierholidays.co.uk


 SHANGHAI For those wanting to experience new year at its most traditional, look to Shanghai. Elaborate temple celebrations, historic fairs and dragon dances are among the highlights. Don’t miss the evening ceremony at Longhua Temple on New Year’s Eve, which sees 108 Buddhist monks climb the pagoda to strike the bell of the city’s oldest temple, or the Yu Garden lantern festival, where more than a million creations, from enormous animals to luminescent monuments, come together in a rainbow of colour. Beyond the city itself, Shanghai Disney Resort goes all out with musical performances, Mickey-shaped lanterns and


13 December 2018travelweekly.co.uk49


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