Destinations

Hong Kong Ready to Welcome the Year of the Rooster

HK-small-Jan17

Hong Kong is getting set to celebrate and lucky is the visitor who is in the Asian city during Chinese New Year, the city’s biggest and most colourful festival.

From Jan. 22 to Feb. 12, the city will be adorned with shock-red banners and lanterns, and traditional performances of the New Year’s symbol – this year the rooster – will be everywhere. And then, on the big night itself there’s the much-anticipated Night Parade – featuring spectacular floats and world-class performers – followed by one of the world’s most spectacular fireworks displays.

In spite of its modern world-city status, Hong Kong is deeply traditional, so it comes as no surprise that the city’s New Year celebrations are like no other. Preparing for and celebrating Chinese New Year is especially rich with ancient rituals and customs. During Chinese New Year, locals gather in temples to give thanks for the past year and pray for good fortune for the new one. And of course visitors are most welcome to join them.

Food is an essential part of any celebration in Hong Kong, and Chinese New Year is no exception. Traditional foods carry special meanings and are believed to bring “prosperity,” “good business,” “luck” and “reunion.”

To encourage visitors to explore Hong Kong and its unique culture in depth, the HKTB has shortlisted 20 auspicious attractions around the city to help them spend Chinese New Year like a local and experience the characteristics of different districts – http://bit.ly/1fFFRK7.