Chinese New Year. Hong Kong, January 21 -February 20
The historical significance of the Chinese New Year is rooted in hoary antiquity. Legend has it that in
ancient times, the mythical monster Nian attacked the village in the early days
of a new year, after waking from hibernation year. As the story goes, once
awakened, Nian came across a village where some boys drove a herd of buffalo,
and a loud crack the whip.The monster was so frightened by loud noises that
fled to another village, but only to face another obstacle, a wall of bright
red hanging out to dry clothes. Again fleeing in terror, in the third village
monster peered into the crack in the door, he saw a bright burning candle
inside the home, a monster has lost his composure.
Annual celebration of the
Chinese New Year has grown from myth. For thousands of years, the Chinese have
used the crimson color to scare away dangerous animals, turning the color of a
tradition. On the first day of the New Year, firecrackers and drums echo reflected
from buildings, literally knocks down. While fireworks and burning bamboo
shells support the sky on fire. Everything is done to intimidate mythical
monster Nian.
Family night
Chinese New Year - a
celebration of economic renewal. China's economy is born from the agricultural
tradition and the spring festival favorable time of year to plan the upcoming
planting and harvesting. And so, it is a time when families can come together
and look into the future with optimism.
New Year in the family begins
with a traditional feast: sweet soup with dumplings, fish balls, noodles and
fried pies. If you have friends locals do not hesitate to ask them to join the
family for dinner. You will see a lot of small red envelopes transmitted from
elders to young, this New Year's gifts. After dinner, visit the many fragrant
flower market in Victoria Park at Causeway Bay, or Fa Hui Park in Sham Shui Po
in Kowloon. If you plan to give gifts, you know that means chrysanthemum
longevity peach flowers bring good luck, and kumquat tree symbolizes
prosperity.
On New Year's, made to honor
their elders, many pray for prosperity in the Man Mo Temple and even meet a
fortuneteller. And in Lam Tsuen in Tai Po held a two-week festival of good
wishes. Participants write wishes on a piece of paper, tie it to the orange and
throw the tree. The higher the fruit hanging on the tree, the greater the
likelihood that your wishes will come true!
Fireworks and the Lucky Money
Day
In the evening, on the
prospect of Tsim Sha Tsui parade - dragons and floating figures accompany a
variety of different artists. Revelers clog nearby restaurants and bars in the
city center, on the Holywood Road and Soho. Lan Kwai Fong Road is especially
popular among the young and trendy. It is likely that you will have to buzz
feet after the festive evenings and nights that would see the charm of modern
Hong Kong have to walk up the stairs, most of it is in the vertical plane.
The highlight of the Chinese
New Year in Hong Kong will no doubt be fireworks over Victoria Harbor. The best
viewing locations are in the new park, Tim Ma, right on the waterfront, on the
Avenue of Stars in Kowloon and Victoria Peak, where you can see the entire
show, with different heights. Take a taxi to the top of the mountain is not
expensive, but the road can take enough time, if you decide it at the last
minute, you will interfere with narrow streets and a lot of people.
The third day of the Chinese New Year, called Lucky Money Day, the day to devote to a device of its
prosperity. Less impressive than the previous days, on this day are the largest
jumps in the Sha Tin.
Useful details
Learn the phrase "Keng
Hei Fat Choy" - "Happy New Year" in Cantonese. Use the phrase,
welcoming locals.
Watch the fireworks from the
building of Marco Polo Hotel. Car parking on the roof of the hotel - a secret
place for a gorgeous view of Victoria Harbour.
Shop till you drop. Hong Kong
- Mecca retailers, especially popular antiques on Hollywood Road and Soho.
Be sure to visit the island of
Landau, a 30-minute metro ride from the center of Hong Kong. You do not want to
miss the world's largest bronze Buddha statue in the Po Lin Monastery and the
5.7-kilometer trip to the overhead tram with panoramic views of the bay and
Hong Kong.
Practicalities
Hong Kong is one of the
largest international airports, it is easily accessible from anywhere in the
world. If you want to visit Macau, ferries run regularly, the way in Macau
recently, as in Hong Kong, for the Russians visa-free entry.
