I spent my first Chinese New Year in a village. Fireworks started at 5 AM and didn't stop for 24 hours.
My friend from Canada was invited to his Chinese girlfriend's family village in Hunan for Spring Festival (春节).He thought: "A quiet family dinner. Maybe some fireworks. A nice cultural experience."
He was not prepared.
Day 1 (New Year's Eve):
5:00 PM — Family dinner. 20 people. 15 dishes. Everyone drinking baijiu.
8:00 PM — Watching the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Everyone's grandma is glued to the TV.
11:00 PM — The fireworks begin. Not small ones. Industrial-grade explosions. The sky is red.
12:00 AM — MIDNIGHT. The village sounds like a war zone. Fireworks in every direction. Smoke so thick you can't see the house across the street.
1:00 AM — Bedtime. Ears ringing.
Day 2 (New Year's Day):
5:00 AM — EXPLOSIONS. Someone is setting off firecrackers right outside the window.
"Why at 5 AM?!"
"To wake the gods. To welcome the new year. To scare away evil spirits."
The fireworks continue. All day. All night. For 24 hours straight.
The traditions he learned:
Red envelopes:
• He received ¥2,000 from her grandparents (they give to unmarried young people)
• He was expected to give red envelopes to the children (¥200 each)
• Net result: he made money
Food:
• Dumplings at midnight (饺子) — shaped like ancient Chinese money
• Fish (鱼) — must be served whole. Can't finish it. "年年有余" (surplus every year)
• Nian gao (年糕) — sticky rice cake. "年年高升" (rise higher every year)
Taboos:
• Don't sweep the floor on New Year's Day — you'll sweep away good luck
• Don't use scissors or knives — you'll cut good fortune
• Don't say negative words (death, illness, failure)
The village experience:
• No hot water (they boil it)
• Squat toilet (of course)
• Everyone asks when you're getting married
• Everyone asks how much money you make
• Everyone feeds you until you can't move
Tips for surviving Spring Festival in a village:
• Bring earplugs. The fireworks are non-stop.
• Bring a gift for the parents (tea, alcohol, fruit basket)
• Bring cash for red envelopes
• Eat slowly. They will refill your plate.
• Smile when asked personal questions. Deflect with humor.
• Learn to say "Gong xi fa cai" (恭喜发财) — everyone says it.
My Canadian friend: "I thought Chinese New Year was a holiday. It's an endurance test. My ears rang for 3 days. I ate enough for a month. I answered 47 questions about marriage. And I would do it again."
Anyone else spent Spring Festival in a Chinese village? How did you survive?
Page:
[1]