Hong Kong is a city that doesn’t sleep, but there is one time in the year when the mood is sleepier in town: Chinese New Year. This year, the holiday falls on January 23-25 (Monday-Wednesday) and many shops and restaurants are closed during these first three days of the Year of the Dragon. Some don’t resume operation until more than a week later. But if you know where to look, there is still plenty to do if you happen to be in town:
Flower markets
In the weeks before the New Year, 14 parks and playgrounds are turned into lively flower markets, selling auspicious plants locals buy to celebrate the "New Spring". There are also many other products you can buy, ranging from clothing to decorative items to snacks. Hot food stalls serve local specialities such as fish balls in curry sauce. The biggest of these markets is in the Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
Date: From now until the early hours of January 23
Time: From around 6pm onwards till late
Location: For Victoria Park, use MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit E
The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade:
Held every year since 1996, this parade is sponsored by Hong Kong’s homegrown carrier and famous for the illuminated floats accompanied lively performances including Shaolin kung fu. It’s free, unless you want to pay for the “Spectacular Stands”.
Date: January 23
Time: 8pm-9:30pm
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui - along Canton Road, Haiphong Road, Nathan Road and Salisbury Road on the waterfront, ending at Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers
Enquiries: [email protected]
Chinese New Year Fireworks Display
On the second day of Chinese New Year, fireworks light up at the sky above the famed Victoria Harbour in the evening. People crowd together on two sides of the waters to admire the spectacle. If you want to do so in more comfort, consider joining a boat tour, information of which you can find here.
Date: January 24
Time: 8pm
Enquiries: +852 2591 1340
Spinning the Wheel of Fortune at Che Kung Temple
Many of the locals flock to the temple this time of the year to thank the Buddhist deity General Che for a successful year… or spin the wheel in hopes for a better one. Che Kung Temple is particularly popular, and it gets packed out on the third day of the New Lunar Year when the business of visiting friends and relatives has usually wrapped up.
Date: Daily
Time: 7am-6pm
Location: Shatin (on the MTR, get off at Tai Wai Station and find the Che Kung Temple exit; get off at Che Kung Temple Station on the Ma On Shan line)
Spread your wealth
For the first two weeks or so in the New Lunar Year, it's customary for married people to give out money to unmarried relatives and friends in little red packages, called "lei see". Bosses also give lai see to their employees. If you want to observe the tradition, you may also, at your own discretion, give these festive packages to your favourite butler, doorman or driver. The most common amount in a lai see is HK$20 (US$2.50) and the red envelopes can be obtained from major hotels or bought from a variety of stores such as 7-Elevens. And remeber to say "Kung Hei Fat Choi" (May prosperity be with you) when you see a relative, friend, client or colleague for the first time during this festive period.
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Reggie Ho
