East Asia during the Chinese New Year period can be really colourful. Here is a list of what you can see and do in January and February.
HONG KONG
- Chinese New Year Fiesta
Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the fiesta wows with fabulous floats, elaborate stage performances, arts and crafts stands, and food and souvenir stalls.
Where: New World Centre and Avenue Of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) When: Jan 27 to Feb 1, 1 to 8pm
- Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade
Selected by Lonely Planet Bluelist last year as one of the world's most fascinating attractions, the annual night parade is possibly the best-loved Chinese New Year event in Hong Kong.
Where: The parade of floats starts at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui and proceeds along Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, makes a U-turn and ends at the New World Centre When: Jan 26, 8 to 9.30pm. Seating in the spectator stands opens at 7pm
- Chinese New Year fireworks display
Join thousands of people lining both sides of the harbour as they usher in Chinese New Year with a magnificent display of fireworks.
Where: Victoria Harbour between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui When: Jan 27, 8pm For details, visit www.DiscoverHongKong.com/cny/eng/html/overview.html
CHINA
- Ditan Temple Fair
This area comes alive every year with a bazaar-like atmosphere during the first six days of Chinese New Year. Attractions include food, street performances and folk art.
Where: Ditan Temple Of Earth, northern Beijing When: Jan 26 to 31
- Lantern Festival
This is a country-wide celebration featuring lanterns in brilliant colours, lion and dragon dances and traditional festive food.
Where: Lantern shows are held in places such as Beijing (Beihai Park Lantern Festival Fair), Sichuan (Zigong Lantern Show) and even Harbin (Ice Lantern Festival) When: Feb 9
TAIWAN
Taiwan's spectacular Lantern Festival which takes place in Yilan county.
- Lantern Festival
This festival of lanterns and costumed dances celebrates Taiwan's folk culture. Modern technology is featured, too, with laser shows. Other than Chinese New Year, this is one of the most celebrated times of the year in the country.
Where: Yilan Sports Park, Yilan county When: Feb 9 to 22
- Chinese New Year festive markets
Taiwan is renowned for its night markets but the lead-up to Chinese New Year packs even more colour and energy into these eclectic bazaars.
Most notably, Dihua Street - Taipei's oldest traditional street market - will be combined with nearby shopping stretches Ningxia and Huayin to form the Chinese New Year festive market. Look out for street performances.
Where: Dihua Street, Taipei When: Jan 1 to 25 (peak period)
JAPAN
- Kyoto Winter Special
Visitors can enjoy various winter events and stand to receive great discounts from hotels. Even better, travellers will be allowed to visit normally restricted heritage sites such as ancient temples and teahouses in scenic Kyoto.
When: Now till March 31 For details, visit www.yjw2009.jp/eng/
- Yokoso! Japan Weeks
As part of a campaign by the Japan Tourism Agency, various tourist promotions are on country-wide during this period. Some highlights include:
Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Hokkaido
On from Jan 30 to Feb 15, the festival features dazzling ice sculptures illuminated by a kaleidoscope of lights at night.
Nikko-Kinugawa promotions
A region only two hours away from Tokyo, Nikko-Kinugawa is one of the leading onsen (hot springs) resort areas of Japan, packed with scenic views. From Jan 24 to Feb 15, there will be discounts on a number of events and leisure activities, as well as free services for tourists.
For details, visit www.yjw2009.jp/eng/
Take in cultural sights on the streets of Kyoto where you are likely to meet an enchanting maiko (apprentice geisha).
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 23, 2008.
