Something you need to know about Chinese New Year

2011-01-31 20:11:16　　文字大小：大　中　小

　 Something you need to know about Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is (almost) here. We asked our readers for questions they had about it, then talked to the experts about these two magical week

Chinese New Year is (almost) here. We asked our readers for questions they had about it, then talked to the experts about these two magical weeks of fireworks, dumplings and ceaseless chaos. Jump into the tradition: put on new red clothes, light some fireworks and embrace 15 magical days of the loudest, wildest cultural festival on Earth.

What should I do when I go over to my Chinese friend’s house for Chinese New Year (CNY)? First, consider it an honor to be invited — this the most important Chinese festival of the year. Second, show appreciation for your host’s cooking. We still don’t know whether it’s better to fast before the feast or engage in strategic stomach expansion, but regardless of where you stand, channel your inner Kobayashi (the Japanese hot dog eating champ) and prepare to get stuffed. Work on your alcohol tolerance, too, while you’re at it.

For extra goodwill, bring along a simple contribution to the festivities such as flowers, fruit or a bottle of baijiu. Or, impress your hosts with one of China"s best bottles of red wine from Grace Vineyards. If children are present, hongbao are de rigeur. Traditionally, older people give children hongbao, or red envelopes stuffed with small amounts of cash. Go for at least 50 kuai—all in tens. Want to really impress your hosts? Enclose a lucky sum—anything divisible by eight.

China Grace Vineyards (16 Xilou Hutong, 雍和宫大街戏楼胡同16号, Tel: 8402-9917)

How long does this madness last? The word Chunjie literally means “spring festival,” and it refers to the entire 15-day period from the first day of the new year (chu-yi, 初一) to Lantern Festival (chu-shiwu, 初十五).

“The character chu (初) means beginning,” says Feng Cheng, founder of the China Culture Center(CCC), “so to the modern-day people, it’s a kind of reminder that we’re still in the festival.”

On chu-san, the third day of Chunjie (February 5), the CCC hosts a special once-a-year celebration in a local village, including a rare performance by old Beijing street entertainers. “We can’t do it regularly,” explains Feng, “because otherwise the village becomes a tourist spot, and they become performers.”

China Culture Center (www.chinaculturecenter.org, Tel: 6432-9341)

What are the best temple fairs? Temple fairs are Chinese tradition at its best. Expect to see dragon dancing, acrobats and street performers. “It"s almost the only time you can see these ancient folk-style performances,” Feng says.

Temple fairs evolved naturally from the days Buddhists and Daoists would visit temples for New Year"s prayers. The vendors were not far behind. Despite the name, some of the biggest temple fairs in Beijing aren"t even held at temples.

Ditan Park"s "temple fair" is Beijing"s largest and most popular. Among the madness, you"ll find performances such as reenactments of Qing dynasty sacrifices. Changdian"s fair at Taoranting Park is another excellent option, especially if you want to buy some Chinese art or antiques. Dongyue Temple, a Daoist temple near Chaoyangmen, holds a more traditional fair on their grounds.

Wherever you go, be sure to show up at either 10am or 2pm to catch the street performances. And, of course, be prepared for crowds.

Ditan Park (Andingmenwai Dajie, 安定门外地坛公园内, Tel: 6421-4657, Web: www.dtpark.com, Taoranting Park (19 Taiping Jie, 太平街19号, Tel: 6353-2385), Dongyue Temple (141 Dongyue Miao, 东岳庙)

What will be closed? Local Chaoyang resident Yuli Yang says not to worry too much about closures. Smaller shops and restaurants owned by people from outside Beijing will likely be shuttered, especially from the first to the fifth day of the festival (chu-yi to chu-wu). But most establishments owned by Beijingren won’t be affected. “There"s not much you need to plan for beforehand,” says Yang, “unless you can only survive on a daily special dose of the neighborhood dandanmian."

What is Spring Festival gala TV show I keep hearing about? Imagine a collision between the overproduced pop spectacle of the Super Bowl halftime show and an old-school, Ed Sullivan–style variety hour. Add a dash of choreographed patriotism and multiply it by an audience of 700 million, and—still with us?—you’ve pretty much got the CCTV New Year’s Gala (Chunwan for short).

Aired every year since 1982 on the eve of Chinese New Year, the Chunwan broadcast offers its massive viewership a blend of skits, stand-up comedy, guest performances, song and dance routines and acrobatics.

This year’s gala will be the first to draw many of its performers from the online “grassroots,” according to the festival’s organizing committee. As we go to press, the full lineup has not been announced, but it will include former migrant workers Liu Gang and Wang Xu performing their cover of In the Spring, which went viral on the Chinese web last fall.

Chunwan (Watch it on every station on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 6pm)

What"s up with the flying lanterns? Chunwan kicks off CNY, but Lantern Festival closes it out. Electric red lanterns are common household decorations during chu-shiwu, or Lantern Festival, but “sky lanterns”(孔明灯, kongmingdeng) are the real deal. Originally used as military signaling devices as far back as the Three Kingdoms period, the paper lanterns are basic candle-powered hot-air balloons. It’s not recommended (and may be illegal) to use them in areas prone to fire, but you can get them at Houhai, or almost anywhere with lots of street traffic, for about ¥5 each.

Where can I score some fireworks? Sales of fireworks are normally only allowed at licensed outlets beyond the Fifth Ring Road, but an exception is made just before CNY. In the city, expect to shell out at least ¥150 for a decent amount. Last year, fireworks were available near Dawanglu, Nanluoguxiang, Gongti North Gate and many other temporary locations throughout the city. Avoid unlicensed bargain-basement outlets—you don’t want to lose a finger.

So what will burn down this year? If we knew, we’d quit our jobs and become superheros. All we know for sure is that fireworks will lead to more than few fires around town—let’s just hope it’s less expensive than the Rem Koolhaas tower that got torched during the 2009 festivities. In China Daily last year, media maven Huang Hung penned a deadpan letter to all of China’s laowai with a simple message: back off the fireworks. While the Chinese show remarkable forgiveness when their compatriots commit random accidental arson, foreigners will not be so lucky. “You try to burn a building down, we will kill you,” she noted. Seriously. Kids, be safe out there, or Huang Hung will get you.

What will happen to my cat or dog when the city explodes? Your dog or cat isn"t used to living in a warzone, which is exactly what CNY sounds like. Cats typically hide, but dogs can get super-stressed. We contacted Mary Peng at Beijing"s International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for tips on helping puppies cope.

First, do what ICVS calls “desensitization and counter conditioning." This means getting your dog used to loud noises. Play music at a reasonable volume while engaging in your dog"s favorite activity. Slowly increase the volume over several weeks until your dog learns that “noise equals fun!”

Next, prepare a safe space for your dog and get them used to it by spreading a blanket on it and giving food there. It could be a kennel, a crate or interior room, but should be a dark, quiet area where sounds and outdoor light cannot enter.

Don"t reassure your pet if he becomes scared. This signals that there is something to be afraid of. “Play it cool and ignore them,” says Peng. “It"s hard to do, but you can show attention once they relax.”

Finally, never let your pet outdoors alone during CNY. They may flee in panic and get lost.

ICVS (Kent Center, 29 Liangmaqiao Road, Anjialou, Chaoyang District, 安家楼亮马桥路29号肯特中心院内, Tel: 8456-1939, Web: www.icvsasia.com)

Where can I get some peace and quiet? Nowhere in China is very quiet during CNY, but you may be able to find some peace at one of the villas at The Commune by the Great Wall. Not only are they architecturally astounding (check out the Bamboo House), The Commune owns its own piece of the Wall, albeit in ruins. Another possibility is tile-factory-turned-eco-lodge The Brickyard. With no TVs or phones on hand (Wi-Fi being the exception!), it"s a getaway from CNY shenanigans. Of course, the only surefire way to escape the fireworks is to get out of the country.

Commune (Tel: 8118-1888, Web: www.commune.com.cn), Brickyard (Tel: 6162-6506, Web: www.brickyardatmutianyu.com)

To whom do I give my hongbao? Often decorated with rabbit and fish motifs, hongbaos are red envelopes for those important gifts of money. The practice is thought to originate in the Qing Dynasty when coins on red strings were used to ward off evil spirits. It’s important that the cash value not include the number four. Safe amounts are ¥88, ¥168 and ¥800. These days it’s common practice to give hongbaos to your ayi (about one month"s salary), employees, bao’an and even your favorite fruit seller.

Are there any CNY superstitions I should be aware of? Oh, yeah. It"s difficult to get through CNY without getting nagged at by someone for breaking a superstition. Think of it as lessons in Chinese culture. Here are a few of our favorites:

Snip snip: According to tradition, you shouldn’t cut your hair during the first lunar month. You"d cut away your good luck for the year.

Hold your tongue: Trash talk takes on evil connotations during CNY. Speak badly during this period and it"ll haunt you for the year ahead.

Brand new threads: Wearing newly bought clothes raises spirits and adds to the festive atmosphere.

Red undies: Born in the Rabbit Year? Put on your red undies. Red symbolizes flames, which scare away evils. Traditionally, people wore red shoes, but today, it"s underwear.

Clean house: A new year means a new start. Having a good sweep-out rids your domicile of evil spirits to boot.

Windows open: Open your windows, so any spirits lurking indoors will be flushed out. Keep the lights on to scare away malignant spirits like the Nian Monster...

The Nian Monster: The fearsome Nianshou (年兽) is a mythical beast who has a taste for human flesh. Nian, also a homonym for "year," used to roam wild at the start of spring, terrorizing villages and devouring townsfolk. One year, an old man fought off the creature with firecrackers, loud drums, bright lights and red banners. That old man set the CNY stage for millennia to come.
　