The history of Hong Kong Establishment Day

On the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day, we look back on how Hong Kong came to be under British rule from 1841 to 1997. (Save for violent Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945.) In order to understand this and how Hong Kong’s time as a British colony ended, we look back at the tenuous state of trade between China and Western powers during the late Chinese Imperial era.

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, there was a great demand for Chinese products (especially tea, silk, and porcelain), tipping the balance of trade in China’s favour. In particular, the British had developed a strong taste for tea. Furthermore, trade between China and the West took place within the restrictions of the Canton System, effectively subjecting foreign trade to regulations imposed by the Chinese government. The system stated that trade could only happen at one Chinese port: Canton (called Guangzhou today); and only through licensed Chinese merchants. 

In an attempt to right this trade imbalance, the British East India Company started quietly importing opium to China, reversing the flow of silver into the Asian economy and leading to widespread addiction in the population.

Opium had already been used for mostly medicinal purposes in China for centuries. But when imports started pouring in, more and more people began smoking it as a recreational drug. With millions of addicts by the mid-1800s, the Chinese government recognized the problem and banned the production and importation of opium.

In 1839, a government official, dedicated to eliminating the “evil” of the illegal opium trade, seized and destroyed 2.6 million pounds of opium cargo from a group of merchants. The British government backed the merchants, citing the principle of free trade, and sent its navy forces to China. These tensions led to the breakout of the first Opium War. 

Historians attribute Chinese defeat in 1842 to Britain’s advanced weapon technology and superior naval strength. The British negotiated the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing. Among the stipulations that overwhelmingly benefitted themselves, the treaty allowed British merchants to trade at five additional ports, called the “treaty ports,” and with anyone they wanted. Also among the terms of the treaty was China’s cession of the island of Hong Kong.

Why take over Hong Kong?

Although lacking in natural resources, Hong Kong has a deep-water harbour sheltered by granite hills, making it an ideal port for British ships to ground and do repairs. With the Convention of Peking in 1860, the crown colony was expanded to include Kowloon; and the Second Convention of Peking in 1898 gave Britain a 99-year lease over the approximately 230 outlying islands that make up the New Territories. China called these, and a series of treaties the Qing dynasty signed with other empires during the 19th and 20th centuries, the unequal treaties.

For 150 years until the day we now call Hong Kong Establishment Day, Hong Kong became a critical link between China and the rest of the world. Until recently, about 90 percent of Chinese emigrants went through Hong Kong. Chinese people returning from travels in the West and Southeast Asia entered China through Hong Kong. Hong Kong imported goods that China couldn’t produce and exported goods internationally. It was a center for money remitted by overseas Chinese. Dr. Jack Hayes, professor of Chinese and Japanese history, calls the first Opium War “the beginning of the end of late Imperial China.”

The Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed in 1984 for China to resume sovereignty over Hong Kong. The special region was to be governed under the ‘one country, two systems’ policy for 50 years, until 2047.

When the British officially left on HKSAR Establishment Day, Hong Kong was left with a mostly expatriate police force, the pervasive architectural style of a shopfront with living quarters on the second floor and a balcony (imported from Singapore, another British colony), and a commitment to economic freedom and political stability. The handover ceremony culminated on July 1, 1997 in Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.

HKSAR Establishment Day festivities on July 1, 2024

Since 1997, the July 1 public holiday had become a rallying point for pro-democracy protests. However, since 2020 pro-democracy rallies have been banned on the day.

In the midst of a serious pandemic wave in 2021, there was a light show instead of fireworks at Victoria Harbour. CE Carrie Lam attended the centenary celebrations in Beijing, marking the first time a Hong Kong chief executive was absent for the handover commemoration in the city.

HKSAR Establishment Day activities in 2024 include various freebies like:

• Star Ferry rides
• Tram trips
• Fortune Ferry journeys
• MTR Light Rail and New Territories bus trips
• Sun Ferry rides
• KMB and Long Win Bus rides for kids
• Entry to Hong Kong Wetland Park
• Guided tours
• Entry to government-run leisure facilities
• Museum exhibitions

Header image credits: Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library via WikiCommons

What Is Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on June 10, 2024. Also known as Tuen Ng Festival (端午節, tuen ng jit in Cantonese) or Double Fifth Festival (雙五節, seung ng jit in Cantonese), the day highlights dragon boat racing as a symbol of the culmination of multiple practices meant to drive away evil energy and invite clean energy into your life.

The name ‘Double Fifth Festival’ comes from the holiday’s occurrence on the fifth day of the five-month lunar calendar. Celebrated all over Asia, the most common activities are watching fierce dragon boat races and eating symbolic foods like sticky rice cooked in lotus leaves.

How To Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival

In modern days, the Dragon Boat Festival is mainly celebrated in Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and within the Chinese community in other countries. While traditional practices like hanging dried herbs may no longer be seen everywhere, activities like eating festive foods and dragon boat racing are still commonly practised around the world. Different countries have various ways of celebrating, but they all unite around the core ideas of avoiding sickness and warding off evil spirits.

In ancient times, traditional celebrations are key in encouraging a healthy and especially prosperous year ahead:

• Hanging portraits of the guardian deity Zhong Kui (鍾馗), a hunter of demons, in the home to keep dark spirits from entering;
• Hanging mugwort leaves, a Chinese herbal medicine, on the front door to protect the household from illness. Indeed, it’s been found that insects are repelled by mugwort and calamus plants;
• Giving children lucky fragrance pouches called ‘fragrant sachets’ (香囊, heung nong in Cantonese), which are sewn with silk cloth and thread and then filled with fragrances or herbs. Again, the effects are twofold: these bags are worn around the neck or tied to the front of clothing to protect the individual from evil spirits and to deter insects carrying infectious diseases;
• Standing an egg on its end for a day, which is believed to bring prosperity for the year.

The History Behind Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival is believed to have its origin two thousand years ago in the Warring States period (475-221 BC). During this divisive ancient Chinese era, seven states fought for territorial control until the country was united under the Qin Dynasty.

Chinese figures Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu, and Cao E are said to have lived during this period, and the legends surrounding their lives are key to understanding the history and various modern practices surrounding the festival. 

Qu Yuan (屈原)

Qu Yuan was a poet and political minister in the Chu state characterized by his classical poetry and political devotion. As the king’s main advisor, Qu Yuan attempted to introduce strong political reform. Other officials became jealous of his high position and manipulated the king into exiling Qu Yuan.

During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote poems to show his love for his province. When the Chu state eventually fell to the Qin state, the story states that Qu Yuan was so devastated that he wrote one final poem and then drowned himself in a river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The legend goes on to say that sympathetic villagers rowed onto the river to retrieve his body.

Unable to find it, they rowed along the river hitting the water with their paddles and beating drums to scare bad spirits away. They also threw lumps of rice into the water to distract fish from eating the body. Scholars write of his death as a form of martyrdom, a respectable symbol of his dedication to his home state. In this way, the traditions of boat racing and consumption of rice dumplings came about to honor the memory of Qu Yuan.

Wu Zixu (伍子胥)  

A second origin story tells of Wu Zixu, the ancient premier of Wu state. People in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which is the former territory of the Wu state, more commonly attribute this story to the birth of Tuen Ng Festival.

Wu’s brother and father were imprisoned on order of the king. Eventually, both were executed. Wu Zixu fled to Wu state in fear that he would experience the same fate. He eventually helped Wu state’s king conquer Chu state, avenging his family members’ execution and advancing in political rank. But when the king’s successor was bribed by an opposing state’s official (a state that Wu had advised the successor to target), Wu Zixu was commanded to commit suicide.

Wu’s body was thrown into a river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and locals held dragon boat races to show solidarity with him.

Cao E (曹娥)

Another popular origin story behind Tuen Ng Festival is about a loyal daughter named Cao E. The young girl’s father drowned in a river, his body lost to the water. Cao E searched along the riverbanks for his corpse for days, wanting to give her father a proper burial. Unable to contain her sorrow, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the filial daughter jumped into the river. Cao E’s body was discovered days later. In her arms, she held her father, having finally found him in death.

What To Eat During Dragon Boat Festival?

In Hong Kong

The most traditional food related to the Dragon Boat Festival is the rice dumpling known as zongzi (粽子), simply called jung (糉) in Hong Kong. The dumpling starts with sticky glutinous rice that is soaked in alkaline water. The sticky rice is wrapped in bamboo leaves in a triangular shape, filled with precooked ingredients, tied with string, and boiled in water. The common fillings for glutinous rice dumplings are egg yolk, pork, lotus seeds, green bean paste, peanuts, and other nuts.

The lumps of rice thrown into the river in the story of Qu Yuan have evolved into this elaborate, rich food that sees variations in fillings and bamboo leaf shapes throughout Asian countries.

In Taiwan & Mainland China

In Taiwan, multiple ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, shallots, and baby shrimp are stir-fried and then steamed inside rice dumplings. In Northern China, the sticky rice dumplings tend to be sweeter; in Southern China, the rice dumplings are salty and more rectangular; in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, people boil eggs in tea and dye them red to be hung in a bag around children’s neck for good luck.

Another culinary tradition during Tuen Ng Festival is drinking realgar wine. Chinese yellow wine is combined with trace amounts of powdered realgar (雄黄, xiong huang in Putonghua), which is a dark yellow arsenic sulphide mineral. Here again, the beliefs are both practical and symbolic; the wine is an antidote for poison and also thought to chase away evil energy.

What Is The Significance Of Dragon Boat Races?

The dragon boat race is the most exciting, colourful event during Tuen Ng Festival. The famous dragon boat is a long, narrow boat painted with a Chinese dragon head and tail. The number of paddlers can stretch from 10 to 50, with the typical team consisting of 22 people. Along with the paddlers, there is also the leader at the bow beating the timekeeping drum and a steerer at the rear.

Teamwork is an essential factor as all the paddlers need to move in unison, following the rhythm of the beating drum. This ritual of the beating drum and synchronicity placates the rain gods so that they bring raindrops in the year to come, and also celebrates rice growth in the summer.

Since 1976, dragon boat racing has started to become more popular as the Hong Kong government under British rule marketed dragon boat racing as a sport to attract tourism. As the International Dragon Boat Federation was built in 1991, since then dragon boat racing has been practiced in lots of countries around the world. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Race attracts international athletes to compete every year and races have become so popular that lots of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Germany have their own dragon races.

The Dragon Boat Festival or Double Fifth Festival has grown from a legend based on defending the home from evil spirits to an international tradition. The world has grown to share its praise and Hong Kong has embraced it wholeheartedly. The Dragon Boat race remains a sport of unity and an amazing festival to respect both the legends and the current culture surrounding it.

Where can I watch the dragon boat races in Hong Kong this year?

This year, the following dragon boat races are scheduled:

• 2024 Eastern District Dragon Boat Race — June 2, 2024
• Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race 2024 — June 10, 2024
• Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships — June 10, 2024
• Sai Kung Tuen Ng Festival — June 10, 2024
• Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race — June 10, 2024
• Tai Po Dragon Boat Race — June 10, 2024
• Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Race — June 10, 2024
• Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races — June 15-16, 2024
• Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade & Dragon Boat Races — June 30, 2024

Head to our Dragon Boat Festival event guide for more details.

FAQ about Dragon Boat Festival

Other traditional Chinese festivals: Lunar New Year — Lunar New Year Fair — Birthday of Che Kung — Chinese Lantern Festival — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — Ching Ming Festival — Tin Hau Festival — Cheung Chau Bun Festival — Buddha’s Birthday — Birthday of Tam Kung — Dragon Boat Festival — Birthday of Kwan Tai — Qixi Festival — Hung Shing Festival — Hungry Ghost Festival — Mid-Autumn Festival — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — Chung Yeung Festival — Winter Solstice Festival.

Header image credits: eLjeProks via WikiCommons

What is a dragon boat?

A dragon boat is a long, narrow, human-powered watercraft traditionally used in the sport of dragon boat racing, which originated in ancient China. These boats are usually made out of wood, although modern versions can be made from various materials, including fibreglass. The standout feature of a dragon boat is its decorative dragon head and tail, and it often features a drum at the front where a drummer sits to keep the paddlers in rhythm.

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Dragon boat crews comprise paddlers, a steerer, and a drummer. Therefore, the boats vary in length, depending on their design and the number of rowers they carry. Standard dragon boats are usually around 40 feet long and can hold a crew of 22 people, while small dragon boats measure about 30 feet long and are designed to hold a crew of 12 people. A long dragon boat, which is a more traditional and ceremonial version, can be much longer than the standard racing boats — up to 90 feet long.

2024 Eastern District Dragon Boat Race — June 2, 2024

This annual event organised by the 60-year-old Chai Wan Fishermen’s Recreation Association usually takes place on a Sunday before the Tuen Ng Festival. This year, the races will take place two Sundays before the festival in Chai Wan. Teams will compete in standard boats and long boats during the races.

When: June 2, 2024
Where: Chai Wan, Cargo Handling Area, Chai Wan Waterfront
Distance: 400 metres
Time: 8am–5pm
Official Website: www.chaiwan-dragonboat.yolasite.com
How To Get There: Take the MTR to Chai Wan Station (Exit D), and walk through Chai Wan Park to Wing Tai Road. Turn onto Ka Yip Street and walk to the cargo working area.

Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race 2024 — June 10, 2024

This event has been held for more than 100 years and typically features long dragon boats, as opposed to the small and standard varieties. These boats are 90 feet long, with 48 paddlers seated in rows of two, making them twice as long as the boats used in most other races.

When: June 10, 2024
Where: Aberdeen Promenade/Aberdeen West Typhoon Shelter
Distance: 400 metres
Time: 8.30 am–4pm
Official Website: www.facebook.com/aberdeendragonboat
How To Get There: Hop on Bus 70 from Exchange Square in Central or take a cab.

Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships — June 10, 2024

This popular tourist destination, which is a haven for beach-goers, is also a hub of activity during the Dragon Boat Festival, when teams from around the world compete in the races held here. Paddlers up the ante by wearing colourful wigs and face paint in the hope of bagging the Best Dress Award. Spectators partake in a variety of free activities, such as face painting and mini-games.

When: June 10, 2024
Where: Stanley Main Beach
Distance: 270 metres
Time: 8am–5pm
Official Website: www.dragonboat.org.hk
How To Get There: Take the 6, 6A, or 6X bus from Central Bus Terminus to Stanley, or take Bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui East Bus Terminus. The quickest way is to take a taxi to Stanley.

Sai Kung Tuen Ng Festival — June 10, 2024

Come for the races, and stay for the carnival! The day will begin with standard boat races, which will end in the afternoon. If you want to get into the festive spirit of the event, head to the carnival that will have game stalls that everyone can try their hand at.

When: June 10, 2024
Where: Sai Kung Waterfront and Promenade
Distance: 400 metres
Time: 8am–2.30pm (races), 10am–1pm (carnival)
Official Website: www.sksa.com.hk
How To Get There: From Central or TST, take the MTR to Choi Hung Station then board the Green Minibus 1A. Alternatively, take the MTR to Diamond Hill Station, then hop on Bus 92 to Sai Kung.

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race — June 10, 2024

This half-day event is quite popular in the New Territories, where it has been held annually for the past 30 years. The highlight is the phoenix race, which only comprises female paddlers.

When: June 10, 2024
Where: Shing Mun River (Banyan Bridge-Sha Yin Bridge)
Distance: 300 metres, 500 metres
Time: 8am–1pm
Official Website: www.stsa.org.hk
How To Get There: Take the MTR to Sha Tin Station (Exit A), and walk through New Town Plaza to Sha Tin Park. Then walk along the riverside for about 10 minutes.

Tai Po Dragon Boat Race — June 10, 2024

This half-day event will see participants compete in standard boats and small boats, and is held at a scenic location in the New Territories.

When: June 10, 2024
Where: Tai Po Waterfront Park Promenade
Distance: 500 metres
Time: 8.30am–1pm
Official Website: www.tpsa.org.hk
How To Get There: Take bus 72A from MTR Tai Wai Station (Exit B). Alight at Tai Po Waterfront Park.

Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Race — June 10, 2024

If you want to spend your day in the northwestern part of the New Territories, head to Tuen Mun. The races here are a half-day affair and will see paddlers in standard boats and small boats. While entry is free, there are limited admission tickets for the races, which you can pick up from the Tuen Mun Government Offices on June 1.

When: June 10, 2024
Where: Castle Peak Bay, Area 44, Tuen Mun
Distance: 400 metres
Time: 9am–1pm
Official Website: Tuen Mun District Dragon Boat Race Committee on Facebook
How To Get There: Take the Light Rail 614, 614P or 507 to Siu Hei Station or bus 59x from MTR Mong Kok East Station (Exit C) to Tuen Mun Ferry Pier. Then walk 10 minutes to the venue.

Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races — June 15-16, 2024

This two-day event will feature local and international teams who will battle it out for several titles, including the International Open, Mixed and Women’s Grand Championships, the 18 Districts Trophy, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Championship. This year’s event will also feature a series of 75A Trophy championships to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Winners of all championship races will be awarded US$10,000. And, of course, there’s the highly anticipated Fancy Dress Competition, which is only open to members of participating teams.

When: June 15-16, 2024
Where: Off Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade
Distance: 500 metres
Time: 8am–5:30pm
Official Website: www.hkcdba.org/en/hkidbr
How To Get There: Take the MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit J) and walk to the promenade via the Avenue of Stars. Or take the Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui, then walk along the TST promenade for about 10 minutes.

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade & Dragon Boat Races — June 30, 2024

Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, three fishermen’s associations in Tai O — Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong, and Hop Sum Tong — organise the Dragon Boat Water Parade. The event, also known as the Deities Parade, was recognised on China’s third national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011. Deity statues from four temples in Tai O are loaded on small boats towed by three dragon boats through the water channels of the village. Dragon Boat Races are also held during this day.

When: June 30, 2024 (Dragon Boat Race)
Where: Tai O Creek and Pier (Dragon Boat Parade), Tai O Promenade (Dragon Boat Races)
Distance: 300m (Dragon Boat Races)
Time: 7am–2pm (Dragon Boat Parade), 10am–2pm (Dragon Boat Races)
Official website: www.dragonboathk.com
How To Get There: Take Bus 11 from Tung Chung, Bus 1 from Mui Wo, or Bus 21 from Ngong Ping Village.

If you aren’t able to watch the races during the Dragon Boat Race Festival, there are other competitions scheduled throughout the year:

• 2024 Kwai Tsing District Dragon Boat Race Invitational Race: May 26, 2024
• 2024 Kwun Tong Waterfront Sunshine Dragon Boat Race: August 28, 2024
• Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Gala: TBA

Header image credits: Tuen Mun District Dragon Boat Race Committee, Hong Kong Tourism Board

The Piu Sik Parade, also called the parades of deities, will begin at 2pm on May 15 at the Pak Tai Temple on the island of Cheung Chau. The parade, which runs all through the island and ends at the temple, is symbolic of the Taoist god Pak Tai touring the village. The highlights are the lion dance performances and the ‘Children’s Float’, in which two local costumed children are held aloft during the procession.

The Bun Scrambling Final will take place at the soccer pitch of the Pak Tai Temple Playground. During the event, 12 male and female contestants climb a tower to pick buns, each of which is awarded points based on how high up on the tower they are placed. The competition will begin at 11:30pm on May 15 and end at 12:45am on May 16. Trophies will be awarded to the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up in the men’s division, and the champion in the women’s category. In addition, the ‘Full Pockets of Lucky Buns’ award will go to the participant who gets the most buns.

Entry to watch the competition is free and spectators can line up to collect their tickets from Pak She First Lane, next to Cheung Chau Fire Station, and along Ping Chong Road, starting at 10pm on May 15. There are only 1,650 tickets available, which will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Once the spectators enter the soccer pitch, they will be directed to one of four zones from where they can watch the final.

The Transport Department will make arrangements for an extra ferry sailing from Cheung Chau to Central Pier No. 5. There will be special bus routes from Central Pier No. 5 to Mong Kok, and other overnight buses will be diverted to the pier. For more information on the transport arrangements, visit the government website.

For more information about this year’s Cheung Chau Bun Festival, click here.

Image credits: Hong Kong Tourism Board

What is Buddha’s Birthday celebration?

Celebrated on May 15, 2024 in Hong Kong and other Asian countries, Buddha’s Birthday celebrates the birthday of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism in the fifth century BCE. His birthday was contested by different groups of followers, but it’s now recognised to fall on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar.

Legend says that he was born as the son of the monarch of present-day Nepal, who brought great blessings to India and then beyond. Growing up, he saw how the destitute lived, which shed light on the suffering in life. He soon realised money and fame can’t provide happiness. Thus, he renounced his fortune and royal title to live humbly with the bare minimum. It was through a quiet period of meditation that he reached enlightenment, hence his name Buddha meaning ‘Enlightened One’.

During his time spent travelling alone and living life as a beggar, he sat perched under the Bodhi tree, or tree of awakening, deep in meditation where he reflected on his life experiences and reached “nirvana,” or awakening. This meditative state propelled him forward in life as a guide to help others reach spiritual awakening.

Buddha’s Birthday is sometimes referred to as the Bathing of Buddha Festival because the main ritual on his birthday is for people to pour water over a statue of Buddha, symbolising the purification of one’s soul.

Why do people in Hong Kong observe Buddha’s birthday?

Hong Kong is made up of approximately 21% devout Buddhist followers. Buddhism sprouted in Hong Kong as more schools, organisations, and elderly homes operated under the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, which has roughly 10,000 members. Though devout Buddhists celebrated Gautama Buddha’s birthday for many years, it only became a holiday in 1998, a year after the British ceded control of Hong Kong to China. It falls on the same day as Tam Kung’s Birthday (the young sea god) and Cheung Chau Bun Festival, but is not related to them.

How to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday?

Hong Kong hosts celebrations across town, particularly at Buddhist monasteries, to honour Buddha on his special day. Lighting of lanterns to symbolise enlightenment, making offerings, group chanting and meditating, as well as bathing a statue of Buddha with water, are notable acts that occur to pay Buddha with respect. One might spot monks holding cultural performances, too. A vegetarian diet is followed on this day to uphold one of Buddha’s teachings that the flesh of consciously living beings shouldn’t be consumed.

Famous Buddhist monasteries in Hong Kong

Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island is perhaps the most recognised place to visit the grand Tian Tan Buddha statue after climbing 268 steps. Buddha’s sat in the purest form, representing the wisdom he spreads to people. It’s a tourist hub, but it’s still a sacred place. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Shatin has thousands of Buddha statues, 13,000 statues despite its name, lined up along a paved path ascending roughly 430 steps and also found in five temples, four pavilions and one nine-story pagoda.

Tsz Shan Monastery in Tai Po is a tranquil place known for its whopping 76m-tall statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It’s home to a Buddhist art museum, but it’s also a place to educate and practice Buddhism.

Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill is a lovely little sanctuary that brings peace and serenity to visitors. It was built as a retreat for Buddhist nuns where one will see Tang Dynasty influences, a beautiful courtyard, and lotus ponds.

Celebrations of Buddha’s Birthday throughout Asia

Countries in Southeast and East Asia celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in slightly different ways given the various branches of Buddhism.

Vesak Day, another name for Buddha’s Birthday, is observed by Buddhists throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia, including mainland China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, and Tibet. Adding to the list of aforementioned celebrations in Hong Kong, people in these places gather to light lanterns at home or temples and wear simple white clothes.

In South Korea, Buddhists would hold parades with lanterns of a magnificent dragon on display. Lanterns would also fill homes and temples with wishes sometimes written on them.

In India, closest to Buddha’s birthplace, Buddhists light candles, offer prayers, and express their gratitude at temples. In Taiwan, thousands of people would gather at the temples to watch a monk decorate Buddha’s shrine with flowers, as well as chant prayers.

Other traditional Chinese festivals: Lunar New Year — Lunar New Year Fair — Birthday of Che Kung — Chinese Lantern Festival — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — Ching Ming Festival — Tin Hau Festival — Cheung Chau Bun Festival — Buddha’s Birthday — Birthday of Tam Kung — Dragon Boat Festival — Birthday of Kwan Tai — Qixi Festival — Hung Shing Festival — Hungry Ghost Festival — Mid-Autumn Festival — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — Chung Yeung Festival — Winter Solstice Festival.

Header image credits: Nejron/Piu99 via Canva

The new museum will be on the third floor of a cluster of 10 Grade II historic buildings built in the 1910s. These buildings have since been converted into a catering, retail and event space where exhibitions, workshops and film screenings are held. It plans to host a variety of activities and seminars, and invite renowned Hong Kong literary scholars to contribute their expertise.

According to The Standard, the announcement of the project was made by Urban Renewal Authority managing director Wai Chi-sing, who said that the opening exhibition will put the spotlight on flowers commonly featured in literary works: “To create a captivating ambiance, floral installations will be strategically placed in public spaces within 7 Mallory Street, effectively transforming it into a ‘literature garden’.”

Header image credits: Aedas via WikiCommons

The event is part of the Hong Kong government’s Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign, and was previously known as the Tsing Yi Theatre. The iconic bamboo theatre is constructed for the combined birthday celebrations of the deities and removed once the festivities are over. 

There will also be food stalls that will sell more than 50 types of snacks, many of them Hong Kong favourites like egg waffles and dragon beard candy. There will also be other delicacies on offer, such as home-made lemon tea and steamed scallops. Admission to the food stalls is free.

The theatre will reopen from April 20-24 for its annual Cantonese opera shows. There will be two shows every day — one in the afternoon and another in the evening — except for the first day, when there will only be an evening show at 7pm. The opera performances are ticketed events.

Image credits: Chong Fat via WikiCommons

The festival has carried forward centuries with time-honoured practices, which proudly showcase filial piety above all else. As the festival takes place at the start of spring, it makes celebrations all the more heartwarming and fun. Though sharing the practice of cleaning the tombs of ancestors, Ching Ming Festival is not to be confused with Chung Yeung Festival, celebrated in the autumn.

What is Ching Ming Festival?

Falling on 4 April 2024, Ching Ming Festival (Ching ming jie in Mandarin, 清明節), also known as Tomb Sweeping Day (Sao fen jie in Mandarin, 掃墳節), is a holiday originating in China to welcome the new spring season and respect ancestors by cleaning their resting places. Literally translated, Ching ming jie means “pure bright festival.” Celebrated 15 days after the Spring Equinox which marks the day that daylight hours start to get longer than nighttime hours, it is the perfect gateway into spring, which is symbolic of fresh, new beginnings.

Hong Kong families take this time to remember and pay respect to relatives who have passed away by visiting and cleaning their graves. They also burn incense and leave flowers, fruit and other food offerings, and items their deceased loved ones enjoyed in life, like cigarettes. Finally, families often eat packed cold dishes together at the grave, as if sharing a meal with the deceased.

Ching Ming Festival and Chung Yeung Festival, which is observed in later in the year in the autumn, share similar practices of cleaning ancestors’ graves and flying kites; however, they are not related. The latter festival is celebrated to ward evil and bad luck away from the living realm.

How did Ching Ming Festival start?

Every Asian festival originates with a combination of myth and tale and Ching Ming Festival is no exception. There are multiple myths associated with the festival’s origins, and one of the main stories goes as follows. Dating back to 6th century BC, a loyal servant by the name of Jie Zitui served outcasted Duke Wen of Jin, who was facing a period of hardship. He was almost starved to the brink of death after being exiled, until Jie stepped in to cut a piece of his flesh off and cook a broth out of it to save the dying duke. This gesture moved the duke, who promised to reward the loyal follower one day.

It wasn’t until years later when Duke Wen of Jin returned to his kingdom and regained power that he tried to summon Jie to reward him. It’s said that Jie had retreated to the mountains with his mother as he had no interest in having anything to do with a government he thought corrupt. Because of this, the duke set the mountain on fire to lure Jie out.

Here is where history starts to become myth: Chinese mythology says the fire caused the accidental death of Jie and his mother. (The historical version goes that Jie didn’t die in the fire, and resented the duke for failing to reward him as he had promised.) To commemorate Jie’s loyalty, the duke forbade the use of fire for three days to mourn his death, leaving people to eat only cold foods. Thus, the Hanshi Festival (寒食節), han shi meaning “cold food”, was born, the predecessor of Ching Ming Festival.

The traditions we still practice for present day Ching Ming Festival was born from of the combination of Hanshi Festival, when people eat cold food, and Shangshi Festival (上巳節), when Chinese people bathe to rid themselves of evil spirits.

How to celebrate Ching Ming Festival

This festival for cleaning ancestor’s tombs and paying respect to them with offerings is celebrated in various parts of Asia – China, Taiwan, Macau, the ethnic Chinese parts of Malaysia and Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and of course, Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, as Tomb Sweeping Day highlights ancestral worship, families visit the graves of passed loved ones, leave offerings, and pray for blessings. They clean their tombstones in a show of respect by sweeping away dust and debris, pulling weeds from around them, refreshing the markings of their loved ones’ name engravings in the stone, and planting fresh soil which aligns with the start of spring. Sweeping off dust and debris also holds the auspicious meaning of getting rid of bad luck and negative energy. Once cleared, families burn joss paper (i.e. paper money) and make offerings of tea, wine, and the ancestor’s favourite foods to send to them in the afterlife.

They light incense sticks as a way to let their ancestors know that they’ve arrived, then give blessings and thanks. Living relatives pray to ancestors for their own protection in the world of the living, and also pray to deities for protection of their ancestors in the afterlife. Some people also hang or scatter paper of five colours on or around the grave, which represents five elements and five directions (north, south, east, west, and centre) to protect their ancestors from malicious spirits.

Families also take this day to spend quality time together. Some picnic at the cemetery or just have a leisure day enjoying the warm weather to further emphasize the importance of family. Kite-flying is another important activity to do on Ching Ming Festival. Kites can be seen against the sky from day to night, and auspiciously, it signifies making bad luck fly away. Another way to ward off bad luck and spirits is by placing willow branches at gates and entrances to buildings.

What to eat for Ching Ming Festival

As legend goes, during Ching Ming Festival people ate cold foods for three days to honour Jie Zitui’s act of service to the duke who accidentally killed him in a mountain fire. Therefore, cooking without fire and eating anything cold is a token of respect for Jie. But on a more cheery note, eating cold foods is a nice way to stay cool as warm spring weather arrives.

Traditional foods on Tomb Sweeping Day vary between Chinese cities, with some of the most common including green-coloured balls called qingtuan (青團), which are made with glutinous rice and mugwort paste (also called wormwood) and stuffed with a sweet condiment like red or black bean paste, deep fried twisted dough called sanzi (饊子), snails, eggs, cold rice, and wine.

These foods are normally cooked a day or so in advance so they can be eaten cold on the day. However, these are not commonly eaten during Ching Ming Festival in Hong Kong. In the SAR, families usually just share a cold meal of various items loved by the ancestor and other picnic foods at the cemetery.

Other traditional Chinese festivals: Lunar New Year — Lunar New Year Fair — Birthday of Che Kung — Chinese Lantern Festival — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — Ching Ming Festival — Tin Hau Festival — Cheung Chau Bun Festival — Buddha’s Birthday — Birthday of Tam Kung — Dragon Boat Festival — Birthday of Kwan Tai — Qixi Festival — Hung Shing Festival — Hungry Ghost Festival — Mid-Autumn Festival — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — Chung Yeung Festival — Winter Solstice Festival.

Header image credits: istolethetv via Flickr

Braised dried oyster with black moss (蠔豉與髮菜)

Want to head into the new year blessed with prosperity and good fortune? Making a debut during the festival is braised dried oysters with iconic hair-like black moss (faat choi hou si). This speciality Chinese New Year cuisine is auspiciously known to bring great things and abundance (發財好市). Dried oysters sound like “great markets” (好市) when pronounced in Cantonese, while black moss, also known as hair vegetable, sounds like “be prosperous” (發財). Both ingredients are quite expensive, so if you happen to be in the presence of this dish, remember to serve everyone and yourself a generous portion!

Chicken (雞)

In the Canton area, chicken is a staple for celebrations, and Lunar New Year is no exception. It’s not just about the taste; in Cantonese, the word for chicken (gei, 雞) sounds similar to “family” (gaa, 家), symbolising family harmony and marital bliss. Some also believe each part of the chicken, from wings to soup, carries a specific wish for a smooth, prosperous year. For instance, chicken wings represent “spreading your wings and flying high”, symbolising work promotions or academic success.

Crispy Pastry Dumpling (油角)

If you have to save your quota for one deep-fried food, save it for yau gok. Yau gok are deep-fried dumplings especially unique to Canton areas. They’re traditional Chinese New Year treats shaped into the historic Chinese currency of gold ingot, so it only makes sense that they have come to signify wealth and good fortune. The dumplings are made of glutinous rice dough and filled with a variety of condiments, from savoury items like minced pork and mushroom to sweet ones like peanuts and sesame paste. You can find them in miniature sizes, making them perfect Chinese New Year snacks to munch on! 

Fish (魚)

Another must-have on the Lunar New Year table is a whole fish, of any kind. In Cantonese, ‘fish’ (yu, or yú in Mandarin) resonates with ‘surplus’ (jyu or yú, 餘), promising a year filled with abundance. It’s customary to serve fish on both New Year’s Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year. Pro tips: eat just the middle portion on New Year’s Eve and save the rest for the following day – it’s all about starting and ending the year with abundance.

Lettuce (生菜)

Be particular about the vegetables you eat over Chinese New Year; lettuce (saang coi or shēng cài, 生菜) is particularly auspicious as its pronunciation in Chinese suggests “creating wealth” (sanng coi or shēng cái, 生財). Enjoy it however you prefer, like the popular lettuce wrap with minced meat. Plus, It’s not just the people that eats lettuce for Lunar New Year. In lion dances, it is a tradition to offer lettuce to the lion, which ‘eats’ and then spits it back out, symbolising wealth and prosperity blessings for the new year. This tradition, known as 採青 (cai qing) or ‘picking the greens’, enriches the festive spirit with its promise of abundance.

CNY Pudding (年糕)

What’s sticky yet sweet and irresistible? Chinese glutinous rice cakes! Known as nin gou (or nian gao in Mandarin), these delectables are made of rice flour and brown sugar. When pronounced aloud, nin gou sounds like “year higher”, so eating this Chinese New Year cake symbolises progress, growth and advancement. It’s believed that people will elevate in life and become prosperous, whether getting promoted in their careers or advancing in their studies. With a lot of culinary innovation, salty renditions of this traditionally sweet treats are also available.

Poon choi (盆菜)

Instilling a sense of family unity and reunion are Chinese New Year dishes packed into one communal serving, better known as poon choi. Hence, poon choi represents unity, bringing people together, abundance and wealth. The clay pot or metal basin it’s normally served in is filled to the brim with heaps of different foods mostly prepared days in advance, like braised pork knuckle, abalone, dried scallops, and an assortment of vegetables. The mouthwatering flavours come together for an ultimate feast.

Prosperity Toss Salad (撈起)

As its name suggests, Prosperity toss salad (lo hey) is symbolic of abundance and prosperity. Originating from Southern Asia, the Teochew-style raw fish salad is a Chinese New Year cuisine that features ingredients like raw salmon strips, shredded vegetables, and a mix of sauces. During the festive toss, diners stand and fling the ingredients high with chopsticks, chanting “lo hey, lo hey” (撈起, 撈起) for increased fortunes, reflecting a lively ritual of hope and celebration.

Sesame balls (煎堆)

Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside are sesame balls (jin deui). These treats are made of glutinous rice flour, loaded with sweet fillings to relish like red bean and black sesame paste, that are then rolled into a ball and coated with sesame seeds and fried. In Chinese cuisine, sesame is believed to bring in good fortune and happiness (煎堆轆轆，金銀滿屋). Interestingly enough when you bite into the fried ball, a mouth shape forms in the soft treat, which has come to mean lots of laughter and happiness for the new year.

Sesame Smiling Cookie Balls (笑口棗)

Quite similar to sesame balls are sesame cookies (siu hau jou). These are so-called “smiling cookie balls” because the dough splits open into what looks like a Pacman-esque smile when baked. Rather than being treats of joy, these traditional Chinese New Year sweets are as you would imagine cookies to be, but garnished with sesame seeds. As aforementioned, sesame represents good fortune and happiness. Eating them would bring more positivity and radiance into your life. Sesame cookies make a great gifting option when you make your rounds visiting friends and family over the Lunar New Year.

Snack Tray (全盒)

While going house to house to visit friends and family over the holiday, many would be greeted with candy tray, or cyun hap in Cantonese, which is a tray of togetherness. This tray is more of a “candy box” that’s filled with many Chinese New Year treats, like sweet lotus seeds (tong lin zi), sunflower seeds, sweet lotus roots (tong lin ngau) and sweet winter melon (tong dong gwaa). This blend of the best Chinese New Year snacks represents different meanings. For example, sunflower seeds represent having many sons and grandsons as the word seed also means children. But overall, the tray of treats symbolises good luck and fortune, and everyone sharing in the joy will live a happy, wholesome life. The shape of the box is round, enhancing the meaning of togetherness. 

Sweet rice dumplings (湯圓)

End a Chinese New Year meal with some deliciously sweet rice dumplings (tong yun, or tang yuan in Mandarin). These mochi-like dumplings are filled with a variety of mashed condiments, like peanuts and black sesame, that auspiciously mean bringing sweetness into one’s life. Their smooth, round shapes represent harmony and wholeness and bring family and friends together. Eating them with your loved ones brings happiness and good fortune in the new year. Tang yuan are perhaps the most devoured traditional Chinese New Year food for dessert.

Turnip cake (蘿蔔糕)

Turnip cake, a staple in Cantonese yum cha, becomes especially popular during Chinese New Year as the word for radish (choi tau 菜頭) in Hokkien is a homophone for “fortune” (coi 財). To make this dish, shred Chinese white turnip and mix with water and flour. Enhance the flavour by adding your choice of ingredients like dried shrimps, dried shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese sausage. After the mixture sets, you can pan-fry or steam it, then serving it hot with hot sauce or oyster sauce for a delightful treat.

Header image credits: Marcus Chung via Canva

What Is Chinese New Year?

Referred to as ‘Chinese New Year’ in Chinese cultures, and more accurately known as ‘Lunar New Year’ or ‘Spring Festival’ in various Asian cultures, this celebration signifies the start of a new year in the lunar calendar. With a history dating back approximately 3,500 years, the Lunar New Year Festival holds immense cultural significance in Hong Kong. In 2024, Chinese New Year falls on February 10th, 2024. Explore all there is to know about this widely celebrated Chinese festival.

Read the guide: What Is Chinese New Year?

20 Chinese New Year Greetings In Cantonese, Mandarin, English

In Hong Kong and China, the festival spans 15 days. During this time, loved ones practice “baai nin” (拜年, bai nian in Mandarin). “Baai” signifies a respectful hand clasp over the chest, and when combined with “nin,” meaning year, it represents visiting friends or family to exchange gifts and offer well wishes for the new year. Discover Chinese New Year phrases in Cantonese and Mandarin to convey good luck to others and learn how to respond to their blessings.

Read the guide: Chinese New Year Greetings, Wishes & Sayings In Cantonese, Mandarin, English

Your Complete Guide To Giving Lai See (Red Envelopes)

If you’re unsure about the appropriate amount of red pocket money to give to family members, the origin of this Chinese tradition, and the unwritten rules of lai see giving, allow us to provide some guidance! These envelopes containing cash, known as “lai see” (利是 or 利事) in Cantonese and “hong bao” (紅包) in Mandarin, are traditional gifts exchanged during Lunar New Year celebrations. It’s not just about the monetary value, but what the envelope represents – a wish for luck and prosperity for the recipient.

Read the guide: Your Complete Guide To Giving Lai See (Red Envelopes)

Which Events To Attend In Hong Kong During Chinese New Year?

Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year celebrations can last for as long as a month, so it’s hardly surprising that the city is buzzing with spectacular events at this time. There’s something for everyone — from a massive fireworks show and city-wide fairs, to mega porting events and captivating lantern displays. Mark some of these events in your calendar to get well and truly into the spirit of the new year.

Read the guide: 11 Chinese New Year Events In Hong Kong

The Best Chinese New Year Decor & Displays To See In Hong Kong

Hongkongers are all set to welcome Lunar New Year in a big way. And to commemorate the Year Of The Dragon, districts and malls across the city have organised LNY set-ups that feature everything from larger-than-life dragons and sprawling flower gardens, to lantern displays and even a Duck Tales-inspired set-up. Discover our list of where to see the best Chinese New Year displays in Hong Kong.

Read the guide: The Best Chinese New Year Decor & Displays To See In Hong Kong

13 Chinese New Year Traditions, Customs & Celebrations

Wave goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and embrace Hong Kong’s unique celebration of the Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Dragon. Rooted in traditions dating back centuries, these customs focus on clearing away old energies to usher in good fortune and luck into our lives. Discover the Chinese New Year traditions and customs in the 852.

Read the guide: 13 Chinese New Year Traditions, Customs & Celebrations

10 Chinese New Year Fruits And Their Meanings

Explore the world of lucky Chinese New Year fruits. Yes, they are delicious, but they also carry auspicious meanings. Discover the top picks that can add a dash of prosperity to your festive celebrations.

Read the guide: 10 Chinese New Year Fruits And Their Meanings

12 Lunar New Year Flowers And Their Meanings

As the Lunar New Year approaches, Hongkongers eagerly prepare for the holiday by sprucing up their homes and decorating them with auspicious flowers. Twelve plants carry special meanings: from red sword lilies symbolising career progress to bright pink plum blossoms representing resilience in tough times, read more about the lucky flowers and trees you can see everywhere in the SAR.

Read the guide: 12 Lunar New Year Flowers, Plants, Trees & Their Meanings

8 Chinese New Year Decorations And Their Meaning

Chinese New Year stands as one of Hong Kong’s most significant celebrations, marking the start of a fresh chapter. The city comes alive with vibrant decorations and ornaments adorning streets, malls, and public spaces, reflecting the festive spirit and cultural importance. These displays can be spotted throughout every corner of Hong Kong, from main thoroughfares to hidden lanes. Let’s unravel the meanings behind these decorations.

Read the guide: 8 Chinese New Year Decorations And Ornaments

13 Lunar New Year Foods & Snacks

Chinese New Year signifies a fresh start, uniting loved ones to welcome the year ahead. The centrepiece of these gatherings is… food! Lunar New Year meals feature dishes like “nin gou” and cakes, enjoyed for their good luck symbolism. Learn which dishes to bring for gatherings or what to expect when visiting families during this joyful season. Yum!

Read the guide: 13 Lunar New Year Foods & Snacks

Our Guide To Chinese New Year Outfits and Clothing

Chinese New Year is not just about family reunions and delicious food; it’s also a time to embrace traditional costume that reflects the grandeur of Chinese heritage. To welcome the year of the dragon, learn about Chinese New Year outfits and clothes, ensuring you’re splendidly dressed for the occasion.

Read the guide: How To Dress For Lunar New Year : Our Guide To Chinese New Year Outfits and Clothing

What Is The Chinese Lantern Festival?

In Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China, Lunar New Year celebrations conclude with the magical Lantern Festival. This festival includes animal-shaped lantern displays and lantern-holding displays. In 2024, the Lantern Festival falls on February 24th. Explore the interesting mythical and historical origins of this particular holiday and learn about the different ways it is celebrated.

Read the guide: What Is The Chinese Lantern Festival?

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year: What’s The Difference?

Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year, although similar in meaning, have slight differences. So, which term should we use in Hong Kong? Let’s explore these distinctions along with Spring Festival, Tet (Vietnam), and Seollal (Korea) to understand the terminology and cultural nuances of these celebrated occasions.

Read the guide : Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year, What’s The Difference?

When To Put And Take Down Chinese New Year Decorations?

Decorating homes and public spaces with various ornaments and symbols is an essential part of this festive season. But when should these decorations be put up?

Read the guide: When To Put And Take Down Chinese New Year Decorations?

Header Image Credit: Andrey Khrobostov via Canva

What are traditional Chinese clothings?

Looking to immerse yourself in the festival spirit by wearing traditional Chinese clothing? Here are four types of garments to consider:

Hanfu (漢服)

With a history dating back over 4,000 years, hanfu is the perfect example of traditional Chinese costume. Characterised by an open cross-collar, full-body robes, and intricate accessories, hanfu is simple yet elegant. Thanks to Chinese social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, this style of dresses is now popularly worn not just for festivals and weddings, but also as a fashionable choice for photos.

Qipao & Cheongsam (旗袍 & 長衫)

Qipao, known for its form-fitting elegance, evolved from the Manchu women’s long gown, or cheongsam. The dress beautifully merges traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern styles, evident in variations like the Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong designs. Today, qipao is a popular choice for festive occasions, embodying grace and cultural pride.

Tang Suit or Tang Zhuang (唐裝)

The Tang suit (or Tang Zhuang in Mandarin), typically a jacket with a Mandarin collar and frog buttons, originated not from the Tang Dynasty but from the Manchurian magua (馬褂). Often decorated with auspicious symbols and Chinese characters, it is commonly worn by both men and women for significant events, including Chinese New Year.

Zhongshan Suit (中山裝)

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the former president of the Republic of China and known in Mandarin as Sun Zhongshan, is credited with creating the Zhongshan suit, also popularly referred to as the “Mao suit”. This attire has soon become the chosen outfit among politicians, including Chinese political leaders like President Xi Jinping. Characterised by its four practical pockets across the chest and waist, along with a stand-up collar, the Zhongshan suit is suitable for both formal and casual occasions for men. Its symmetrical design and subtle, plain colours ensure a dignified appearance for those who appreciate understated elegance.

What colours to wear during Lunar New Year

In places where Lunar New Year is celebrated, ringing in the new year goes beyond making resolutions—it’s all about making a fresh start, ensuring good luck and fortune for the coming year. When it comes to clothing, people also love to wear the “right colours” during the 15-day celebration, even if they’re not opting for traditional Chinese costume.

• Red for Prosperity: Red, the quintessential Chinese lucky colour, is a must-have in your New Year wardrobe. It is believed to bring strength and prosperity, particularly for those born in the year of the current Chinese zodiac. As the New Year dawns, people often wear red from head to toe — including red underwear, thought to bring additional luck in games and mahjong.
• Gold for Opulence: If red feels too bold, gold is an excellent alternative. Symbolising wealth, prosperity, and fortune, gold reflects the royalty and supremacy of emperors throughout Chinese history. It’s believed that yellow and gold also represent the spiritual realm. Whether it’s white gold, rose gold or yellow gold, gold-coloured attire or gold-tone accessories can add a touch of sophistication to your New Year’s look.
• Yellow for Power: According to the Chinese Five Elements theory, red, yellow, and green are auspicious colours, with yellow representing the earth element. This prestigious colour, once dedicated exclusively to the emperor, symbolises prosperity, hope, royalty, and power. It was commonly found in the emperor’s attire and imperial places like The Forbidden City.

What to avoid wearing during Chinese New Year

In Chinese society, many believe it’s important to “get things right” on the first day of the new year, as it’s thought to set the tone for the year ahead. So, we share some long-standing taboos to help you strike the right note for the Year of the Dragon!

• Avoid all white or black: Wearing white or black during Lunar New Year can lead to disapproving looks from elders, and for good reason. In Chinese culture, wearing all-white (or all-black) is a symbol of loss and mourning, usually reserved for funerals. Wearing these two colours on CNY is deemed unlucky for the celebrations.
• New shoes: In Hong Kong, the Cantonese word for “shoes” (haai, 鞋) sounds like “sighing” (aai, 唉), leading to the belief that buying shoes brings bad luck, suggesting a rough, bumpy year ahead. This also applies to gifting shoes to others.
• No damaged clothes: As Chinese New Year is a significant festival in most Asian communities, wearing torn or damaged clothing is thought to attract bad luck for the rest of the year. To welcome good fortune and show respect at the start of the new year, ensure your outfit is in perfect condition.

Where to shop Qipao & Cheongsam in Hong Kong?

Looking to join the festivities with a new look? In Hong Kong, you can find traditional Chinese costumes at many places closer to the festival. Other than ordering from Taobao or visiting your favourite shopping mall, consider visiting night markets or street markets like Pottinger Street in Central, Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok, and Stanley Market in Stanley, or Chinese department stores such as Yue Hwa in Jordan. Moreover, it’s impressive to see many local fashion brands modernising Chinese qipao and cheongsam, making them more accessible not only for Lunar New Year but also for daily wear.

Qipology, a modern Oriental fashion brand based in Hong Kong, rejuvenates the traditional cheongsam with a contemporary twist while maintaining exquisite craftsmanship. For the Lunar New Year, their CNY knitwear collection features stylish color-block knit Tang jackets in 100% merino wool, available in adult and kids’ sizes. Besides casual styles, they also offer modern qipaos for special occasions.  Visit Qipology’s Central shop and online store to find out more!

Shop: H314, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 6061 4074

Header image credit: Qipology

With the festival fast approaching on February 10, 2024, if you want to get involved but are not sure of the etiquette, here’s everything you need to know. The most basic things to remember are to give and receive lai see with two hands and wish everyone the essential Lunar New Year greeting, “Gong hey fat choy,” roughly meaning “Best wishes for prosperity in the new year.”

What is the history of lai see?

How did the tradition of giving lai see start? According to Chinese folklore, an evil spirit named “Sui’‘ (祟) was roaming around during New Year’s Eve. This demon attacked everyone who was sleeping. So everybody started staying awake to wait for the New Year, keeping all lights on and saying, “Shou Sui” (守祟).

On one New Year’s Eve past, a couple gave their son pockets of coins to play with to help him stay awake. The son wrapped the coins in red paper, unwrapped them, and wrapped them again until he got tired and eventually slept. His parents then decided to place the wrapped coins under his pillows. Sui the devil came and was about to attack the son, when the coins shined so bright that they warded off Sui.

Since then, the belief has come about that the colour of red wards off evil spirits, hence the giving of lai see. Before, coins stringed together (old coins had holes in the middles) and wrapped in red paper were given to children. But as generations passed, the coins became bills slipped into red packets.

What’s the symbolism of giving red envelopes?

Several Chinese traditions include the giving of a lai see. At a wedding ceremony, lai see is gifted to the bride and groom with the belief that it will give them fortune. During Chinese New Year, families distribute lai see to the younger family members. And as generations have passed, the tradition has extended to almost all festive social gatherings in China and other Asian cultures.

The money inside is not the focus, though. The most important element is the red envelope that wraps the money. Red is a significant color in Chinese culture; it is believed to bring energy, fortune, and happiness. If you receive a lai see, it means someone wishes you to have a good life ahead.

Who should give red packets?

By giving lai see you are wishing prosperity and good luck for the coming year, so consider who you want to thank and wish well. A good guide for who should give lai see is going from big to small, senior to junior. Definitely don’t let your kids give out lai see to older people, as this can be considered rude. While people from many countries practice this tradition and there is variance in etiquette, there are some general important points to keep in mind. It is critical to follow these so as not to eliminate the true essence of lai see giving.

Parents to children

Giving starts within the family. Parents leave a lai see and two tangerines with fresh leaves at their children’s bedside on New Year’s Eve. The amount inside is usually HK$20 and up, an amount large enough for them to buy a new toy. And during New Year’s Day, as children visit their elders, grandparents give them lai see, too. Until kids get older and start amassing their own wealth, they continue getting lai see from their elder family members.

Married to unmarried family members

On New Year’s Day, married members of the family give lai see of HK$50 to HK$100 to the unmarried younger ones (up to age 25). The married members are believed to have collected enough fortune to share with others, especially with the family. In their first year of marriage, married couples give one pocket each (e.g. one pocket from the husband and one from the wife). In subsequent years, they give one pocket together as a couple.

Children to parents/young to elderly family members

To reciprocate the love, care, blessings, and gifts given by their parents, adult children give lai see to their parents. Married family members also give elderly members lai see. This is their way of paying respect to their elders. The amount inside is usually large (HK$50 to HK$100 at least). Often, parents reciprocate by giving back a lai see double this amount.

Elders to extended family members

Celebrating the Lunar New Year occurs over multiple days. For days after New Year’s Day, families pay respect to extended relatives. Thus, giving red envelopes (around HK$20) is extended too. Younger people can visit older relatives’ homes or older relatives can visit their home. To add fun, a tray of sweets is presented to children with the lai see on the tray.

Senior to junior staff

A person with authority is also to give red packets to the people they manage. In return, fortune and right turns will be experienced by their business all year round.

How to give and receive lai see?

Giving lai see is not done at random. Here is a list of best practices to follow, so you can make the most out of the giving and receiving. Following these they will allow you to reap the full benefits of the tradition:

1. Money inside should not total to an odd number because odd numbers are related to funerals. The number nine is an exception because nine denotes a long life.
2. The number four should also be avoided because its pronunciation is the same as the word for ‘death’. So, one should not give the amounts of HK$40, HK$400, HK$444, or HK$4,000.
3. When given at weddings, the amount inside should be significant enough to help cover the wedding expenses of the couple and to help them with their future living (starting from HK$500).
4. Prepare the lai see in advance and prepare more than enough for the fifteen days of Chinese New Year celebration. This way, you can instantly give it to someone you bump into.
5. You should give someone the lai see the first time you see them during the new year period.
6. During the new year season, the giving should only be within the fifteen days of Chinese New Year celebration (from New Year’s Eve to Lantern Festival), not before or after.
7. Give and receive lai see with both hands; it is impolite if you do it with one hand only.
8. Do not attempt to open the envelope in front of the giver; this is also impolite.
9. Lai see is also not given as a tip or a payment. Never use the lai see on the wrong occasion.
10. Children should never be allowed to give lai see.
11. There should only be a single bill in one envelope. You can give multiple envelopes with one bill in each.
12. Use crisp bills. You can exchange old or crumpled bills at banks if you don’t have new bills.
13. To be more organized, use different envelopes for different groups of people (e.g. family, friends, and strangers). Or you can use separate envelopes for different amounts of money, so you won’t have a hard time identifying which one to give someone.
14. Children should kneel when they receive their lai see as a sign of respect. (However, this practice is becoming less common.)

What to say when giving and receiving lai see?

These phrases can be said both ways, by the giver and the receiver. Usually, older people will specifically wish younger people luck in their work or studies, whichever they are currently doing; younger people will usually wish their elders good health for a long life.

• “Sun nin fai lok!” (新年快樂), meaning “Happy New Year!”
• “Gong hei fat choy!” (恭喜發財), meaning congratulations and wishing you prosperity.
• “Sun tai gin hong!” (身體健康), meaning a wish for good health.
• “Gung ho sun hei” (賀新禧), a more formal phrase for “Happy New Year.”
• “Dai gat dai lei” (大吉大利), meaning a wish for good luck.
• And the most important is “Doh jeh” (多謝), a formal “Thank you.”

For a full how-to to what to say to wish another luck and a wealth of other blessings during the new year, check out our guide to Chinese New Year greetings.

How much to give in red packets?

Cleaners, security guards, receptionists, and concierges at your building will all be hoping to receive something from you. Any services that you regularly use, like your hairdresser or the staff at your local café, would welcome an envelope too. At your workplace, you should plan to give to junior staff in your team as well as your security guards, receptionists and cleaners. Here’s a general guide on how much to give:

Giving of lai see this is not a random act. There are reasons why Chinese people (and other Asian cultures) give these red envelopes. Keep in mind that the essence of the tradition is not the amount of money you can collect. The true essence is building and rekindling relationships, paying respect, and wishing fortune and good luck.

Header image credits: studiosea via Canva

Tai Kwun — Central

This complex that dates back to 1864 was the site of three Declared Monuments, but it is most well known for being the former police headquarters in Central, which is why it came to be colloquially known as Tai Kwun or “big station”. It comprises 16 buildings and two courtyards that now house hip restaurants, boutiques, and art and performance spaces.

Year built: 1864
Address: Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 3559 2600

Blue House — Wan Chai

This one is a standout on our list — quite literally — for its striking blue colour that makes it distinctive from most of the other neutral-hued buildings in the area. The current building, which came up in 1922, was originally the site of a two-storey Wah To Hospital built in the late 19th century. It is now a residential complex with 20 apartments connected to two other heritage buildings on Stone Nullah Lane: Yellow House and Orange House.

Year built: 1870
Address: Blue House, 72A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2833 4608

Murray House — Stanley

Murray House, which was first built in Central to serve as officers’ quarters, is one of the oldest surviving public buildings in Hong Kong and was used by the Japanese military police as their headquarters during World War II.  In 1982, it was dismantled to make way for the Bank of China Tower, and was reconstructed at its current location in Stanley in the early 2000s using 3,000 pieces from the original structure. It is now one of the most easily recognisable buildings on the south side of Hong Kong Island, and houses shops and restaurants.

Year built: 1846
Address: Murray House, 96 Stanley Main Street, Stanley
Contact: Website

Hong Kong Observatory — Tsim Sha Tsui

The Hong Kong Observatory was built in the 1880s on a small hill on Nathan Road facing Kowloon Park. The two-storey Victorian-style building’s most defining features are its arched windows and long verandas. The observatory has since expanded, so the original building currently serves as the administration centre and office of the directorate, while the operational and technical units have been relocated to nearby premises.

Year built: 1883
Address: Hong Kong Observatory, 134A Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact: Website | +852 2926 8200

Former North Kowloon Magistracy Building — Pak Tin

This building was constructed in 1960 to serve as a courthouse, which it did until it closed in 2005. In 2009, the seven-storey structure — considered unique for its symmetrically designed series of tall narrow windows and grand entrance double staircase — was handed over to the Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong, which revitalised the building. The college’s tenancy expired in 2020 and the building has since been handed back to the government. 

Year built: 1960
Address: Former North Kowloon Magistracy Building, 292 Tai Po Road, Pak Tin
Contact: Website

Western Market — Sheung Wan

If you stroll through the neighbourhood of Sheung Wan, chances are you’ll notice this building, thanks to its red-bricked bandage-style facade. Since Western Market, which was built in 1906, is the oldest market building in the 852, it was decided that it would remain a retail space after it was renovated in 1991. It is now filled with stores that sell fabrics and art pieces and is quite a distinctive historical landmark on Des Voeux Road Central. 

Year built: 1906
Address: Western Market, 323 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan
Contact: Facebook | Instagram | +852 6029 2675

Lui Seng Chun — Mong Kok

This neoclassical building is one of the city’s best representations of the combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles. It was built by one of the founders of Kowloon Motor Bus Company in 1931, whose family occupied the top three floors of the building, while the ground floor housed a Chinese medicine shop. The family donated the tong lau building to the government in 2000, and it is currently used as a Chinese medicine and healthcare centre operated by Hong Kong Baptist University. It is one of three buildings in Hong Kong that were most recently accorded Grade 1 status in March 2022, along with Jamia Mosque and City Hall.  Fun fact: Lui Seng Chun was the inspiration for the Hong Kong Sanctum in the 2017 movie Doctor Strange.

Year built: 1931
Address: Lui Seng Chun, 119 Lai Chi Kok Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 3411 0628

Tai O Heritage Hotel — Tai O

This UNESCO-recognised building is another former police headquarters that has been conserved and revitalised to promote Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. It was first built in 1902 to monitor pirate activity in the South China Sea and is now home to a nine-room hotel. Thanks to the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation, details such as the French wooden casement windows and fireplaces inside the building, as well as the canons and searchlights, have been preserved.  The hotel overlooks the village of Tai O, known as the Venice of Hong Kong, because of its waterways, and is a tourist hotspot because of its stilt houses, seafood, and fishing community.

Year built: 1902
Address: Tai O Heritage Hotel, Shek Tsai Po street, Tai O, Lantau Island
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2985 8383

Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market — Yau Ma Tei

The unassuming one- and two-storey building blocks that make up the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market are more than a century old. Founded in 1913, the market first provided a space for fruit, vegetable, and fish vendors to sell their wares, before it become a fruit-only market in the mid-1960s. The market is still open and is noteworthy for the pre-World War II signboards on its exterior walls. It is also across the street from the Yau Ma Tei Theatre, another historical building of significance in Hong Kong.

Year built: 1913
Address: Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

PMQ — Central

This iconic Hong Kong landmark has quite a storied past. It started out as the territory’s first government primary and secondary school in 1862 and was originally on Gough Street. The school then moved to Hollywood Road as it expanded to admit more students and was renamed Queen’s College in 1894. However, it was destroyed when the Japanese occupied Hong Kong during World War II, and then rebuilt in 1951 as the Police Married Quarters to provide accommodation for married police staff from the nearby Central Police Station. It closed in 2000 and reopened in 2014 to serve as a cultural hub with studios, shops, and offices.

Year built: 1862
Address: 35 Aberdeen Street, Central
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2780 2335

Fringe Club — Central

The Fringe Club has been a fixture on Hong Kong’s live music scene and art landscape for nearly 40 years, and is located in the south block of the government-owned Old Dairy Farm Deport on Lower Albert Road in Central. The structure was the site of the milk distribution wing for the Dairy Farm Company’s Pok Fu Lam farm. It was accorded Grade I historic building status in 2009, and is distinctive for its “blood and bandages” architectural style that developed in Britain in the late 1800s and became common across the world by the 1920s.

Year built: 1892
Address: Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2521 7251

The Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel — Tsim Sha Tsui

This hotel took over the title of colonial Hong Kong’s only luxury hotel after the famed Hongkong Hotel closed. It was renowned for its Sunday concerts, nightly dinners on the terrace, and regular afternoon tea dances, which were disrupted once it was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. The hotel expanded in the mid-1990s, when a 30-storey tower was added to the original facade that is now topped with a helipad from which several of Hong Kong’s helicopter tours depart. The nearly 100-year-old Peninsula is still a force to be reckoned with on the city’s hospitality scene, and is among the top 10 best hotels in the world.

Year built: 1928
Address: Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2926 2888

The Helena May — Central

This private members’ club housed in a heritage building in the heart of Hong Kong was the brainchild of Lady Helena May, who wanted to provide accommodation for single women coming to live and work in Hong Kong and a place for women of the territory to socialise. Built in the Edwardian Classical Revival Style, the building originally had three storeys, and an upper basement and a lower basement built to a U-shaped plan, though there were subsequent extensions between 1922 and 1954. The Helena May continues to provide reasonably priced accommodation to guests and has Hong Kong’s largest privately-owned English-language library, with over 25,000 books. 

Year built: 1916
Address: 35 Garden Road, Central
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2522 6766

Header image credits: The HK HUB

Why? Flowers are a pretty sight, but for Chinese people, each flower has a symbolic meaning that is believed to usher in the values that it represents. From bringing true love to hitting the jackpot in wealth, scroll through to discover the meaning of essential Chinese New Year flowers.

Bamboo

Often associated with pandas or building scaffolding in Hong Kong, bamboo plants (fu gwai juk or fù guì zhú, 富貴竹) during the New Year are believed to bring good luck and fortune. Their sturdiness symbolizes strength. Easy to care for, they sometimes grow in unique twists and turns. The number of stalks represents different blessings; for example, two stalks signify double luck, and five stalks symbolize overall good health. However, four stalks are never gifted, as the number four (si, 四) sounds similar to the Chinese word for “death” (si, 死).

How to care: Place it in a bright and well-ventilated location, and be diligent in changing the water and pruning excess leaves and rotten roots. Avoid environments that are too cold or placing it too close to electrical appliances.

Chrysanthemum

In Chinese New Year traditions, chrysanthemums (guk fa or jú huā, 菊花) symbolize wealth and longevity. Traditionally given to seniors, they’re available in bright colours like Berry red and Canary yellow, and the golden yellow ones are especially thought to attract wealth. Their wide range of colours and round shape make them a favourite for festive decor during Lunar New Year.

How to care: Regularly repot them in a flowerpot larger than the previous one to give the roots more room to grow. Also, apply diluted fertiliser every ten days.

Gladiolus

Gladiolus (gim laan or jiànlán, 劍蘭), also known as the Sword Lily, features an abundant number of blossoms on a single branch. It’s a beautiful flower for home decor, coming in colours like white for purity, red for passionate love, yellow for cheerfulness, and purple for grace. The gladiolus symbolizes career growth and self-development. These flowers bloom from July into early winter, reflecting their symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. For Chinese New Year, the fiery red gladiolus is most in demand!

How to care: Appropriately trim the bottom of the flower stems and fertilise, ensuring plenty of sunlight. Change the water daily to prevent root rot.

Jade plant

Bearing resemblance to the auspicious meanings of plants discussed so far, jade plants (yuk syu or yù shù, 玉樹) symbolize prosperity, wealth, and fortune. Native to South Africa, they are highly regarded for their leaves that look like jade stones, hence the prosperous meaning they hold. Taking on a tree-like form, jade plants are easy to care for, as they fall under the succulent family and require minimal attention. Their longevity and self-sustaining nature also symbolize strength.

How to care: Jade plants thrive in bright light, so ensure there is sufficient lighting to aid their photosynthesis. These plants are highly drought-tolerant and prefer a dry environment. Ensure the pot used provides adequate drainage and aeration.

Lily

In the language of flowers, lilies (baak hap or bǎihé, 百合) symbolize purity and passionate love. Their Chinese name means’hundred years of good union’, making them a beautiful way to wish for enduring love and joy. Beloved for their elegance, noble look and sweet fragrance, they are a festive favourite. During Chinese New Year, lilies in shades of pink, yellow, orange, and red are more popular than white ones.

How to care: Change water every two or three days, allow plenty of sunlight and ventilation, and prune appropriately. Don’t place too many lily stems in the same vase.

Mandarin or tangerine trees

In the month leading up to Chinese New Year, it’s a common sighting to see lots of plants containing tangerines (gwat ji or jú zǐ, 金桔), mandarin oranges, or kumquats. These lucky plants are typically ordered in bulk in advance to place by the entrance of homes, buildings, and stores. The column-like Chinese New Year plants dotted with orange represent good luck and wealth, with the more fruit the trees bear, the more luck and wealth they bring. Placing them at your front door ensures that people walking into your home bring in good luck. And the bright orange colours and aromatic citrus smell just brighten the entire atmosphere.

How to care: Allow sufficient sunlight and make sure the water reaches the bottom when watering. Avoid placing them in dark corners of the room.

Narcissus

Narcissus (seui sin or shuǐxiān, 水仙) has a delicate look and smell, no wonder they are among the most auspicious for Lunar New Year. Also known as water fairy flowers or daffodils, they represent good fortune and prosperity. Growing rapidly in warm temperatures, it’s recommended to purchase them just before the 15-day Chinese New Year holiday for guests to see them in full bloom. Fun fact, their outlook often reminds people of a sunny-side-up egg!

How to care: Change water every few days and allow sufficient sunlight. Using a steel pot or placing them close to fruits may lead to fall rapidly.

Orchid

Orchids (laan fa or lánhuā, 蘭花) are delicate and graceful plants that make perfect gifts during Chinese New Year. The quintessential Lunar New Year flowers represent fertility and abundance, as well as good taste, beauty, luxury and innocence. Resilient plants, orchids bloom in multiple seasons: the fall, winter and spring. They come in different colours, with yellow symbolising friendship, white symbolising purity, and pink symbolising femininity. Though orchids tend to be on the pricier side, they are arguably the most cherished plant displayed during the new year.

How to care: Avoid direct sunlight; instead, place it in a corner with indirect light and good ventilation. Pay attention to overwatering.

Peach blossoms

Whether as a whole tree or as branches, peach blossoms (tou faa or táohuā, 桃花) are cherished floral decorations during Lunar New Year, symbolising romance, prosperity, and growth. In Chinese society, a belief holds that walking three circles clockwise around a peach blossom tree will bring romance to those seeking love and enhance your social life in general, while walking anticlockwise diminishes one’s romantic and social relationships. These flowers are prominently displayed in shopping centres and streets during the festivities.

How to care: Remove withered flower buds and newly grown green leaves, and allow sufficient water.

Peonies

Peonies (maau daan or Mǔdān, 牡丹), also known as the “flower of riches and honour”, hold a special place in Chinese culture as the “flower of riches and honour”. These exquisite blooms symbolize wealth, honour, and prosperity. With their round and full appearance in full bloom, in particular the bright red ones, peonies are a great choice for decoration during Chinese New Year. Their rich and abundant presence adds a touch of auspiciousness to the festive atmosphere.

How to care: Peonies require very little water, as excessive water can cause the stems to rot and the flower buds to drop. You can even add a drop of bleach to prevent an unpleasant smell.

Pussy willows

No, it has nothing to do with body parts or cats. Pussy willows (ngan lau or yín liǔ, 銀柳) represent growth and incoming prosperity, and it marks the start of spring. Their tall and slender shape allows them to sustain for extended periods with only bi-weekly watering. Normally, pussy willows come in grey and white, but sometimes, florists get creative by adding a dash of colour to the furry buds that make them stand out among other plants. They bloom in early spring and make fascinating houseplants to welcome new beginnings at the beginning of the lunar year.

How to care: Water them bi-weekly and the buds will grow and eventually develop into flowers. Alternatively, they are also great for dried flowers.

Solanum mammosum

Also known as “nipplefruits, “fox head”, “cow’s udder”, or “apple of Sodom”, solanum mammosum plants are commonly found in wet markets and shops during Chinese New Year. In Cantonese, they are called ng doi tung tong (or wǔ dài tóng táng in Putunghua, 五代同堂), which literally translates to “Five Generations Living Together”, symbolizing longevity for the family. However, despite its beautiful golden colour, be aware that this fruit is inedible and poisonous.

How to care: Keep the fruits on the branch and allow sufficient ventilation.

Where To Buy Lunar New Year Plants

Ready to decorate your home with festive flowers, trees, or plants? Apart from visiting the Lunar New Year Fairs, which open a week before the festival, head to the Flower Market in Mong Kok. Here, you’ll find a range of plants, as well as gardening accessories and supplies. Short on time for preparation? Our Best Flower Shops guide offers ideas on where to order the freshest flowers and plants ahead of Chinese New Year.

Header image credits: blackred via Canva

Each hotel tour session can accommodate 120 people and will last 20 minutes, while the traditional sampan experience allows only 12 people at a time to participate for 45 minutes. Visitors who book a sampan experience will get to ride a sampan, learn how these small wooden boats are made, and watch a documentary about boat navigation. To book a space at these open house sessions, register on the Tai O Heritage Hotel website.

The Tai O Heritage Hotel is a UNESCO-recognised building that was the police headquarters built in 1902 to monitor pirate activity in the South China Sea. It has since been renovated into a nine-room hotel that still has historical architectural elements, such as French wooden casement windows and fireplaces, as well as canons and searchlights.

Want to know more about significant buildings in the SAR? Read our guide on the best historical and heritage buildings in Hong Kong.

Image credits: Tai O Heritage Hotel

Central Market — Central

Central Market will pay tribute to Hong Kong’s colourful past with its neon display suspended above The Oasis. Get your #LNY2024 click in front of neon recreations of lanterns, ducks, and of course, dragons and other Chinese New Year motifs. Check out the market on the ground floor to pick up Lunar New Year flowers, or the 30 stalls on the second floor selling a wide array of handmade products, such as artworks and decorations.

When: Until February 29, 2024
Where: Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Hong Kong Cultural Centre — Tsim Sha Tsui

This is one of Hong Kong’s biggest lantern displays and pays homage to the dragon dance and local paper-crafting technique, which are both on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Master Chan Yiu-wah has designed this year’s lanterns, which will feature a green dragon in a nod to the Year of the Dragon and the vitality of spring. Visitors who attend the Gala Night on February 24 will get a chance to see a lantern with a dragon dancing across New Year blossoms on water pools.

When: February 2-25, 2024
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, L5, Auditoria Building, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Lee Tung Avenue — Wan Chai

As always, the focal point of Lee Tung Avenue’s Chinese New Year festivities will be the red lanterns suspended above the 200-metre-long pedestrian tree-lined walkway. But this year, there will be goldfish-shaped lanterns “swimming” among the red ones — a reference to the tradition of fish being used to denote abundance in Lunar New Year. And if you want a picture in front of a dragon, Lee Tung Avenue’s 8-metre-long dragon installation at the Central Piazza should do the trick!

When: February 1-March 10, 2024
Where: Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

Airside — Kai Tak

The centrepiece of Airside’s Chinese New Year display is a garden installation with a pink-hued flying dragon made out of fabric from recycled flags used by lion dance troupes. The dragon rests upon a structure that represents the celestial mountain. Airside has also set up interactive auspicious activities that visitors can take part in, such as “rolling out” spring couplets to share new year blessings and beating a drum in imitation of the lead drummer of a dragon dance troupe.

When: Until February 29, 2024
Where: Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, San Po Kong

IFC — Central

Step into the Oval Atrium of IFC and your gaze will fall upon the 6-metre-tall floral installation that sets the stage for the other spring blossom-themed attractions here. There are five petal-shaped zones, the highlight of which is Path of Blossoms with its floral pathway and two massive peach blossom trees. Check out the shimmering wings on show at the Butterfly Blessing Zone and strike a pose at the Treasured Moments spot.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: IFC, 8 Finance Street, Central

Citygate Outlets — Tung Chung

Need a little spring-time rejuvenation? Stroll through the Wings in Blossom set-up at Citygate Outlets and take in the beauty of the garden infused with Chinese festive traditions and Western art aesthetics. The highlights are the handcrafted peonies, orchids, lilies, hyacinths, hydrangeas, and cherry blossoms. And if you want to unleash your inner butterfly, take part in an AI test to create a version of one that matches your personality.

When: Until February 22, 2024
Where: Citygate Outlets, 20 Tat Tung Road Tung Chung

Citywalk — Tsuen Wan

The 28-metre-long dragon on display at Citywalk has been made out of recycled fabric quilt material by century-old lion dance troupe, Ha Kwok Cheung World’s Lion King Training Base — which will also stage a golden dragon and lion dance at the mall on February 18. Other Chinese New Year specials at Citywalk include a toy swap pop-up station and a 6-metre-tall wishing tree, on which visitors can place a wish card after making a HK$20 donation.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Citywalk, 1 & 18 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan

Pacific Place — Admiralty

Revel in the spirit of the festival with Pacific Place’s decorations inspired by oriental pavilions, the dragon’s curves, textured scales and multicoloured hues. Walk through a shimmering corridor resplendent in shades of the season or get a video portrait (for which you’ll need to register as a Pacific Place member). If you’d like to attend more traditional ceremonies, head to the mall for the eye-dotting ceremony and lion dance parade on February 15. There is also a performance by a big jazz band on February 17 and 24.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

New Town Plaza — Sha Tin

New Town Plaza has teamed up with city-based handcraft designer Zoe Siu to create six photo spots featuring custom-made floral knotting. You can find these knots everywhere — from the concentric ones on the archway as you enter the display area and the wishing flower tree, to the golden carps and the flower garden.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: New Town Plaza, 18-19 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin

Festival Walk — Kowloon Tong

Ready to get amped up for the Year of the Dragon? Festival Walk has collaborated with Fat Coffee With — founded by Dear Jane guitarist Jackal Ng — to create some snazzy installations. There are several installations that pay tribute to several aspects of the city’s biggest celebration, with dragon, firecracker, drum, and flower motifs.

When: Until February 18, 2024
Where: Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong

Langham Place — Mong Kok

Want to find your fortune this Chinese New Year? Then head over to Langham Place, where you will be privy to Uncle Scrooge’s private vault. The legendary, albeit fictional billionaire, will make his debut in Hong Kong, along with his three grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Once inside the vault, you will be surrounded by Scrooge’s gold coins and priceless jewels, and you can get a picture will the tycoon himself as he stands in front of his most precious possession.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok

Tsuen Wan Plaza — Tseun Wan

If you’re in the mood for cute and cuddly this season, Tsuen Wan Plaza has the answer to your wish. Visit the mall’s Happy Panda New Year Garden, complete with a giant pink panda as the centrepiece. Make your way to the Sky Park on Level 5 for another series of potential panda pics.

When: Until February 18, 2024
Where: Tsuen Wan Plaza, 4-30 Tai Pa St, Tsuen Wan

Harbour City — Tsim Sha Tsui

Harbour City will combine its Lunar New Year festivities with Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong. Apart from the three floats that feature Hello Kitty and her sister Mimmy, there is a Lion Dance Garden that gives visitors a chance to have fun and get an idea behind one of the city’s most important CNY traditions. Check out Hello Kitty on top of a plum blossom pile, wearing a large lion dance head, with four big drums behind her. And in the small garden beneath her, there is a display showcasing the history of lion dance, including lion head production, lion dance training, and the art of flag and drum performances. 

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Times Square — Causeway Bay

Times Square has joined hands with Canto-pop star Panther Chan to create its Whimsical Spring Blossoms new year installation. The Open Piazza that houses the striking Whimsical Blossoms Knitway uses elements of the neon signs that are an integral part of Hong Kong’s history, and yarn motifs to reflect Panther’s love of knitting. Other highlights include the Pretty Petals Pathway, and the Bloom Bloom Drums, wishing patrons a year full of happiness and good fortune. The atrium of the mall has a knitted flower pattern flooring leading up to a mega cherry blossom tree that brings good vibes for the new year.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay

Mira Place — Tsim Sha Tsui 

Step into a full-scale immersive light-and-shadow experience at Mira Place this festive season, which brings together auspicious dragons and a sea of flowers. Start your journey at the Dragons’ Blessing Garden with its red-and-gold theme, and then enter the Japanese Blooming Tunnel where you will encounter a digital dragon amid pink blossoms. Don’t forget to stop by the Dragons’ Blessing Pavilion for that ’Gram-worthy click.

When: Until February 21, 2024
Where: Mira Place, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

MegaBox — Kowloon Bay

Start off the new year by heading to MegaBox’s Spring Festival of Good Fortune, where you will encounter the God of Wealth. Check out the Giant Dragon Year Fortune Cat Sculpture, and take pictures with 8 Daruma Fortune Cats. While you’re at it, visit the 5-feet-tall Fortune Cat Palm and the Japanese-inspired Kokeshi Cat of Great Fortune. You can also make a digital Fai Chun to send to family and friends.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: Megabox,V, Enterprise Square, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay

PopCorn — Tseung Kwan O

The Blossoming Flowers installation at this TKO mall is a showcase of the colours of spring, and represents wealth and prosperity in the new year. The display revolves around a bamboo dragon structure made by combining traditional Chinese bamboo craftsmanship with Western floral creativity. Take a stroll through the garden that features 10 varieties of flowers. There will also be new year performances, variety shows, live music, and a meet-and-greet session with the god of fortune.

When: Until February 25, 2024
Where: PopCorn, Tseung Kwan O

Header image credits: Airside

Chinese knots (中國結)

Once a way to historically record information, Chinese knots are now an intricately woven handicraft made of one cord that’s iconic among Chinese New Year decorations. Not straying from the lucky red colour we’ve seen so far in the festive décor, Chinese knots symbolize a prosperous, long life. The knots are normally round to indicate completeness and wholesomeness. And, the fact that they’re knotted also portrays a strong, united bond with your loved ones. Chinese knots can be seen as ornaments hung on doors, walls, and around shops. They come in all sizes, so it won’t be hard to spot this eye-catching gem.

Fai chun (揮春)

When visiting friends and relatives from door to door during the holiday, the first thing spotted are fai chuns. Fai chun, also known as door couplets, are the red strips of paper hung at the entrances of homes featuring a calligraphy of characters denoting success, good luck, and fortune. One character in particular, fuk (福), which means good fortune, is often times hung upside down on a diamond-shaped sheet of paper to signify the pouring of good luck onto the individual. These lucky sayings are usually hung in pairs in auspicious regards, but can also double or quadruple the luck.

Firecrackers (鞭炮)

To amp up the loud and boisterous festivities, firecrackers are one display that is hard to miss. Firecrackers are set up in front of stores and businesses, as well as temples, to drive out bad luck and evil spirits. Legend has it that a monster comes out every New Year’s Eve to destroy a village and, to scare off the monster, burning bamboo to produce an explosive sound does the trick. The fiery and smoky display literally starts the year with a bang. It’s important to note that the red paper left from the firecrackers aren’t immediately swept away because doing so means sweeping away good luck and fortune.

Hanging lanterns (燈籠)

Red Chinese lanterns are a prominent staple in Chinese culture, and perhaps the most striking emblem associated with Lunar New Year. They spark the new year festivities with their jovial aesthetics, but also create such a beautiful visage at night when lit that it’s no wonder they’re a symbol for happiness. The Chinese lanterns are known to ward off evil and bad luck and their red colour is associated with good luck. Find them at home, temples, as pop-up displays inside malls and on the streets of the city. One notable place to see the hanging red lanterns is Lee Tung Avenue in Wanchai.

Lunar New Year flowers

Spring Festival brings with it fresh beginnings and fresh flowers! There are a number of blooming flowers and plants that represent a new, prosperous year ahead. Several favourites are mandarin or kumquat trees, cherry blossoms, bamboo, and orchids. Kumquat orange trees are quintessential Chinese New Year decorations seen almost everywhere during the festivities. The fruits represent prosperity as kumquat sounds the same as “gold” and “good luck” in Chinese.

Cherry blossoms are springtime flowers that represent new beginnings and longevity with their long branches. Tai Po waterfront is a popular spot to view these beauties. Bamboo is another floral décor known to bring in good luck and fortune. Their sturdy build also symbolizes strength. Orchids are elegant-looking flowers that sustain throughout every season. They make for beautiful gifts during Spring Festival as they represent abundance, fertility, luxury, and beauty.

New Year paintings (年畫)

New Year greetings! New Year paintings arose from the Tang Dynasty with pictures that told of Chinese tales and folklores of gods protecting the people from evil. Over time, Chinese New Year paintings evolved into simpler images that go hand-in-hand with fai chun, featuring beautifully written calligraphy, legendary figures, and plants. A common sighting is the zodiac animal of the year with the Chinese character of that animal also written. Other images may depict dragons, gold coins, and imagery that hold auspicious meanings for good blessings.

Paper cuttings (剪紙)

Using scissors and knife to cut paper into symbols and characters is a fun-filled pastime activity to rally in your troops. The cuttings typically feature one character in Chinese folk art tradition or an image that represents wishes and desires for the coming year. Characters include Fu (福), Lu (祿), Shou (寿), and Xi (禧), meaning luck, wealth, longevity, and happiness. Other paper cuttings feature the zodiac animal representing the new year, or fruits with auspicious meanings. These detailed depictions are then pasted onto transparent surfaces and windows, just like an ornament. Though time-consuming, nowadays, some people opt for the modern version of paper cuttings made of plastic.

Red packet tree (红包树)

A modern take on traditional Spring Festival decorations are red packet trees. Red packets (called lai see) are notorious for being filled with lucky money that’s gifted to friends and relatives. Hence, adding a creative twist to Chinese New Year trees, Chinese New Year wreaths and other plants are red packet trees, or better termed, money trees. They symbolize wealth and good fortune. Red packets can also be found hanging on kumquat trees to bring in extra abundance, and come in various sizes and designs. If you want a boost of luck through your Lunar New Year decorations, you can’t go wrong by decking out in more red and lucky money.

Header image credits: ShutterOK via Canva

Occurring on the day of the second new moon after Winter Solstice Festival (which usually falls around the end of January and early February), Chinese New Year is a time to bid adieu to the old and welcome new beginnings, just like the new year at the beginning of January in other cultures. Here’s everything you need to know about Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year marks the beginning of a new year in the lunar calendar. In 2024, Chinese New Year lands on February 10. Being the biggest and most renowned holiday in Asian cultures, celebrations actually span 15 days, with symbolic activities on each day.

Chinese cultures follow the lunar calendar, which tracks the moon’s movement, while Western cultures follow the Gregorian calendar, a solar calendar. The number of days in a lunar year is a bit shorter, generally from 353 to 355 days, while the solar calendar accounts for 365 days, the revolution of the Earth around the sun. With the lunar calendar, every three years, there is a leap month to keep everything in sync.

In the Chinese zodiac, each year is represented by an animal. So, how do you know what year of what animal it is? The calendar has a 60-year cycle, which is split into five smaller 12-year periods. Each year in the smaller 12-year cycle represents one of the 12 animals, and once the 12-year period has ended, a new cycle begins. The year 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, the only mythical creature and the most powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Dragon is considered particularly special, symbolizing health, strength, and good fortune.

What are the origins of CNY?

Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese holiday that was first noted in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC). It began as a celebration to welcome spring and was later on recognized as a public holiday in 1914. But, the height of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s put a halt to the festivities. The public holiday was later reinstated and remains one of the most significant festival periods.

Historically speaking, Chinese workers who ventured out from their rural communities for work would travel back home, no matter how far, to reflect on the time that has passed and ring in a new year filled with positivity and fortune together with family.  The cultural significance of Chinese New Year is deeply rooted in reuniting families and honouring gods and ancestors.

How to celebrate during the 15 days of CNY?

Compared to Western culture, Chinese New Year celebration spans for 15 days. In 2024, the festivities for Lunar New Year will occur from February 10 to 24.

In the days leading up to the new year, people clean their homes to sweep out the end of the year’s accrued dust, which represents bad luck. Shopping for clothes also take place, where even the most frugal indulge in buying new clothing for the brand new year. People visit Lunar New Year fairs around the city to purchase fresh flowers, tangerine plants, and snacks like ginger candy, peanut candy, baked seeds, and candied strawberries.

On Lunar New Year’s Eve, families reunite to dine over dinner and hang up spring couplets outside their doors to ward off evil and bring in prosperity.

On New Year’s Day, the first of the 15 days of festivity, family members wake up and wish each other the traditional greeting, gong hey fat choi (恭喜發財), meaning “Best wishes for a prosperous new year!”

During the first day of Chinese New Year, it is a custom to visit and pay respect to the eldest member of the family. If you have a guest, you should welcome them with eight sweet treats or fruits on a round platter. This symbolizes togetherness and luck. As a courtesy, guests give oranges or tangerines to their hosts as they bring prosperity and fortune to their household. This visitation with family and friends occurs throughout the 15 days, during which you wish each other luck for the upcoming year.

Red envelopes that contain money are also given at that time. Called hong bao in Mandarin (紅包) or lai see in Cantonese (利是 or 利事), they will be given while bestowing spoken blessings upon each other. Firecrackers are also set off (the louder, the better) and sacrificial offerings made to ancestors.

On the second day, people offer sacrifices to the God of Wealth, Caishen (財神), burning a picture of the deity while wishing for a prosperous year. Many will also pray for their ancestors and other gods. The second day of the new year is also referred to as the birthday of a dog. So, if you love animals, you should feed pets and stray animals too.

In Hong Kong, it is also customary to have a fireworks display over Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Lunar New Year. This year, we can look forward to a grand return of the fireworks show after a hiatus of five years.

A dish that is associated with the second New Year’s Day is wontons; if you love them, you can eat as much as you can during this day! Some say it will bring you good fortune because it resembles the shape of a gold ingot.

During the third and fourth days, families usually visit their deceased loved ones. But, house-visiting and going outdoors for too long are not advisable on these days because some believe that evil spirits roam around.

On the fifth day, people pay respect to the God of Wealth again. He may visit the home to bring his blessings, so people make sure to be there to welcome him with incense and food offerings.

On the sixth day, people go to the temples to worship their chosen deities and visit friends and relatives.

The seventh day of the new year is the day of Renri (人日), which can be considered the birthday of all mankind, the day human beings were created. To honour the deity who created humans, the mother goddess Nüwa (女媧), you should eat only raw fish or yusheng (鱼生), a salad with raw or soy fish and shredded vegetables.

On the eighth day, people have another family gathering and give thanks to the Jade Emperor. The emperor’s birthday falls on the ninth day of the new year, when there is even more festivity. From the 10th to 12th days, the celebration is continued with friends and family.

On the 13th day, people go on a diet to flush out the copious amounts of food from previous days of feasting. If you ate all the wontons on the first day, this is the perfect time to start eating healthier in preparation for the rest of the year.

On the 14th day, people start planning the Lantern Festival to be celebrated the next day.

Drawing a close to the festivities, on the 15th day, lanterns are hung throughout the city to light the path for gods and ancestors to return home to the afterlife. The bright paper lanterns, usually red, also symbolize a bright future ahead. People gather on the streets to watch lion dance parades and play with colourful lanterns hung on sticks. Sometimes, riddles will be written on slips attached to the lanterns.

As with every festival, involvement of food is paramount. Round, glutinous sweet rice dumplings, a.k.a. tang yuan (湯圓), are eaten as they symbolize wholeness and completeness, concluding the lunar new year festivities.

What to eat during CNY?

During Chinese New Year, certain foods symbolize good fortune and prosperity, based on the pronunciation of their names as well as appearance.

If you want longevity, you should eat noodles. Fish is symbolic of bringing a surplus of luck. Dumplings are also a staple since their shape resembles an ingot of precious metal, representing wealth; the more eaten, the more wealth is accrued. Glutinous rice cakes called nian gao (年糕), literally meaning year cake are devoured in both sweet and savoury forms to ensure a higher position in life. Other food that will bring you luck are spring rolls, fish, and rice balls.

Poon choi (盆菜) is another dish eaten specifically in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year, which is layers of seafood, meat, and vegetables cooked in and eaten from a basin. The dish originated from a story about a king going into a village to visit the townspeople; the poor village folk gathered all the best food in their homes and presented it to their king in a large basin.

While visiting the homes of relatives and friends, be sure to spot a platter full of dates, nuts, dried longans and lotus seeds served. Tangerine tree plants are also a common sighting as they represent overall abundance and fullness.

What to gift during CNY?

As for the gifts, the lucky red envelope is the most popular. This is a monetary gift, usually given to younger people and relatives. However, packets containing small amounts are also given out to people seen on a regular basis, such as security guards in your building or shopkeepers. As far as non-monetary gifts, since round fruits are lucky, they are generally given as gifts. Drinks and tea are standard, also.

CNY superstitions

An important Chinese festivity doesn’t come without superstitions and there are certain things to avoid during Chinese New Year. For example, it’s advised not to take the trash out in the first two days because it’s believed to sweep away all the good luck left from the litter of the firecrackers and fallen red decorations. The number four should be avoided as it sounds like the word death in Chinese. Sharp kitchenware like knives should be used as little as possible since they symbolize the cutting off of wealth. Hair shouldn’t be washed because it symbolizes washing away one’s fortune. Dishes shouldn’t be broken as it’s considered bad luck. You should decorate your house abundantly with red because it scares demons away.

Lunar New Year in other Asian cultures

Chinese New Year is observed in other Asian countries that also follow the lunar calendar. During Tết in Vietnam, people perform ancestral rituals and pay off as much debt as possible to start on a clean slate. For Seollal in South Korea, people celebrates for up to three days by paying respect to ancestors. During Khmer Lunar New Year or Choul Chnam Thmey (meaning “Enter the New Year”) in Cambodia, which is celebrated in April, people exchange gifts, visit temples, and play traditional games over three days. Despite the differences in traditions throughout the world, the one common thread among all these countries is reuniting and enjoying food with loved ones.

FAQ about Lunar New Year

Other traditional Chinese festivals: Lunar New Year — Lunar New Year Fair — Birthday of Che Kung — Chinese Lantern Festival — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — Ching Ming Festival — Tin Hau Festival — Cheung Chau Bun Festival — Buddha’s Birthday — Birthday of Tam Kung — Dragon Boat Festival — Birthday of Kwan Tai — Qixi Festival — Hung Shing Festival — Hungry Ghost Festival — Mid-Autumn Festival — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — Chung Yeung Festival — Winter Solstice Festival.

Header image credits: The HK HUB