Spring Festival Golden Week Holiday in China

Date & History: The Spring Festival Golden Week is a 7-day national holiday in China that celebrates the Chinese New Year, which marks the beginning of the lunar new year. The holiday was introduced in 1999 by the Chinese government to bolster domestic tourism and allow families to reunite during the traditional Lunar New Year celebration.

Traditions:

• Reunion Dinners: On New Year's Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner featuring traditional dishes.
• Red Envelopes: Monetary gifts are given in red envelopes (hongbao) as a symbol of good luck and to ward off evil spirits.
• Decorations: Homes are decorated with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings to celebrate and bring good fortune.
• Fireworks: Firework displays are common for celebrating and driving away evil spirits.

Activities:

• Traveling: Many people travel long distances to reunite with their families, resulting in one of the world's largest annual human migrations, known as Chunyun.
• Temple Fairs: Cultural festivities such as temple fairs are held with performances, games, and food stalls.
• Watching CCTV Gala: People tune in to watch the CCTV New Year's Gala, a popular televised event featuring skits, music, and dance performances.

The Spring Festival Golden Week is a vibrant mix of age-old traditions and modern customs that reflect China's rich cultural heritage. It is a time for joyous celebrations as well as rest from work.