It’s time to start planning how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. Also known as Lunar New Year, CNY is a time for families to come together and eat their fill, run around grabbing red envelopes of money called lai see and visit temples to pray for good fortune. Here are the best ways to see in the Year of the Ox and enjoy Hong Kong’s most festive season.
Marketoo New Year Market x Seaview Picnic
Taking social distancing into account, The Pulse will be transformed into a Chinese New Year Market from January 30 to January 31. There will be goodie bags for the first 250 guests will all sorts of treats. The rooftop will also open for socially distanced picnics and live music.
Visit a temple
Most Hong Kong families will visit one of the city’s many temples over the new year. It is important to make an offering to the gods, pay respects to ancestors and wish for health and prosperity in the coming year. Hong Kong’s temples are always a fascinating place to appreciate local traditional architecture and customs. But, during the New Year, they fill with the sound of chanting, the scent of incense and the buzz of excitement for this festive time. Here are some of our favourite temples in Hong Kong.
Dine out
Like many festivals, Chinese New Year is a time to eat, drink and be merry. While many smaller eateries will shut over the public holidays, the holidays are a great excuse to splash out and chow down on some luxurious Chinese cuisine. Check out our guide to the city’s best Chinese New Year afternoon teas for something more alternative this year.
Shop at a flower market
Hong Kongers fill their homes with flowers to welcome the new year. And, visiting a pop-up market across the city is a colourful, lively, and fragrant way to get into the festive spirit. Thankfully the flower markets are still happening this year. Pick up some traditional new year flowers to brighten your living room or your office.
Lanterns and festive displays
Chinese New Year celebrations continue well pass the public holidays on the first few days of the lunar year. You’ll likely see elaborate and colourful lantern displays in shopping malls and hotels throughout the month. If anything you ought to be seeing them now.
Go shopping
Aside from browsing the various pop-up markets around the city, it’s worth heading to other shops to check out their new year sales. Since it is tradition to purchase new clothes in time for the new year, you have an excuse to shop until you drop.
Get artsy
Despite the large-scale Chinese New Year activities and events being cancelled, art galleries and showrooms are still open. There are some that require reservations ahead of time, but most of them are open to the public. So if you’re out of plans for Chinese New Year but you really feel like doing something, then an art gallery is the place to be.
