Chinese New Year Celebrations in Taiwan
By , TravelKing
Updated: 2014/12/23
Updated: 2014/12/23
The event has ended this year.
In 2015, the Chinese New Year falls on February 18th, the celebration ends on the Lantern Festival in March. This is a great time of the year to experience some authentic Chinese culture.
Chinese New Year Shopping
by Leon Tsai
The Chinese New Year Festival is a jubilant occasion for all people, families, and relatives would gather together to enjoy a warm and blissful holiday. People would dress in new clothing during the celebrations; children would enjoy great excitements and joys when receiving red envelopes (“hong bao” in Mandarin) with cash inside; a grand family feast on the New Year’s Eve. It’s much like Christmas in every way.
The commercial habits had changed throughout the years. Back in ten to twenty years ago, the streets would be empty during the New Year’s Eve. Shops are closed and everyone will head back home to join the family dinner. The gathering will continue least till the third day of the New Year. Nowadays, the New Year’s Eve dinner may probably even take place outside in a restaurant. Shops and stores will open on the first day of the New Year; some weren’t even close through the holidays.
The Chinese New Year Festival is a jubilant occasion for all people, families, and relatives would gather together to enjoy a warm and blissful holiday. People would dress in new clothing during the celebrations; children would enjoy great excitements and joys when receiving red envelopes (“hong bao” in Mandarin) with cash inside; a grand family feast on the New Year’s Eve. It’s much like Christmas in every way.
The commercial habits had changed throughout the years. Back in ten to twenty years ago, the streets would be empty during the New Year’s Eve. Shops are closed and everyone will head back home to join the family dinner. The gathering will continue least till the third day of the New Year. Nowadays, the New Year’s Eve dinner may probably even take place outside in a restaurant. Shops and stores will open on the first day of the New Year; some weren’t even close through the holidays.
Pinxi Sky Lantern by Proboss C.
It’s the best time for visitors to experience and enjoy various festivities including Dragon & Lion Dances, vivid scene at temples, fireworks, thousands of lanterns at the Lantern Festivals held at each Taiwan city, throwing firecrackers at Master Han Dan, shooting the Yanshuei Firecrackers Ceremony, and many others that you would not want to miss. Shops, restaurants and transportation will still be open in service during the holidays.
Throwing firecrackers at Master Han Dan is a special ceremony in Taitung where a chosen man will perform in the role of the Master Han Dan, a god of wealth. The chosen man will wear nothing but a red short pant, holding only a bamboo fan to protect his face standing on a sedan chair, and be carried around by four devotees. Since people believed this god cannot bear the cold weather, they will throw firecrackers at the chosen one to keep the god warm and to pray for wealth. It’s a appealing local event worth visiting. Nevertheless, enjoying hot springs at Jhihben Hot Springs in Taitung is also a must do on the Taiwan Travel list.
Throwing firecrackers at Master Han Dan is a special ceremony in Taitung where a chosen man will perform in the role of the Master Han Dan, a god of wealth. The chosen man will wear nothing but a red short pant, holding only a bamboo fan to protect his face standing on a sedan chair, and be carried around by four devotees. Since people believed this god cannot bear the cold weather, they will throw firecrackers at the chosen one to keep the god warm and to pray for wealth. It’s a appealing local event worth visiting. Nevertheless, enjoying hot springs at Jhihben Hot Springs in Taitung is also a must do on the Taiwan Travel list.
Beehives Firecrackers by Cini
Another distinctive festivity is the Yanshuei Firecrackers Ceremony. The ceremony is one of the best-known celebrations in Taiwan. On the day of Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the 1st Month according to Lunar Calendar), people would visit Yanshuei in Tainan County to follow the sedan chair of the divinity with firecrackers aside. Aside from exploring this unique celebration, enjoying mouth-watering Tainan snacks and visiting notable historical sites such as Chihkan Tower, Fort Anping, Yi Tzai Golden Castle are simply things you will want to participate when you’re down in Tainan.
Lantern Festivals are held at various Taiwan cities including Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, etc. Thousands of lanterns amaze all visitors with lanterns in different shapes, themes, sizes and colors. Though the national holidays on Chinese New Year only lasts five days this year, but traditionally the New Year Celebration ends after the Lantern Festival. It’s a great chance to experience an authentic Chinese New Year, where Taiwan is one of the few in the world holds some of the very traditional customs.
For early hotel booking please visit: http://www.hotel.com.tw/en/taiwanhotel/earlybird/chinesenewyear/
More information on attractions and Chinese New Year Hotels in Taiwan: http://www.travelking.com.tw/eng/tourguide/chinesenewyear/
Lantern Festivals are held at various Taiwan cities including Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, etc. Thousands of lanterns amaze all visitors with lanterns in different shapes, themes, sizes and colors. Though the national holidays on Chinese New Year only lasts five days this year, but traditionally the New Year Celebration ends after the Lantern Festival. It’s a great chance to experience an authentic Chinese New Year, where Taiwan is one of the few in the world holds some of the very traditional customs.
For early hotel booking please visit: http://www.hotel.com.tw/en/taiwanhotel/earlybird/chinesenewyear/
More information on attractions and Chinese New Year Hotels in Taiwan: http://www.travelking.com.tw/eng/tourguide/chinesenewyear/