How to celebrate Chinese New Year 2022 in Hong Kong
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The Year of the Tiger (虎) is coming around soon, with Chinese New Year 2022 falling on February 1 this year.
The event isn’t just celebrated in Greater China but also in other East Asian countries, for example. For non-Chinese Asians, though, the event is known as “Lunar New Year" or “Spring Festival." Chinese New Year 2022 lasts from February 1-15, with the first week also being a public holiday in Hong Kong, marking one of the most important celebrations of the year.
Celebrating anything amid the pandemic has been difficult, especially with social distancing guidelines restricting activities and gatherings. For example, the annual Chinese New Year fireworks show in the city, once a memorable start to welcome in the holiday, has been cancelled for the third consecutive year.
However, there are still many other things you can do to enjoy Chinese New Year in 2022. We’ve narrowed down some key events and celebrations to check out this year, keeping in mind the current social distancing restrictions. Gong hei fat choy – wishing you great happiness and prosperity!
Find luck at flower markets
Visit a flower market during Chinese New Year to gain luck by purchasing “lucky” plants. The two most common flower markets to visit this time of year are Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok. But, most flower markets will offer many varieties of plants and flowers believed to bring good fortune.
Fresh plants, flowers and fruits generally symbolize new life, growth and health, making them the perfect addition to your home or office to start the new year. Some common plants to look for are pussy willows, mandarins or tangerines and bamboo, which are all said to reel good luck and fortune into your life.
Make a wish on a wishing tree
Whether you visit the Lam Tsuen wishing trees or make your own, you can write down your wishes for the new year and hang them on a wishing tree. At the Lam Tsuen wishing trees during Chinese New Year, expect to see many people tying their wishes to oranges and tossing them up to the banyan branches. According to local superstition, if the orange lodges up somewhere in the branches, the wish written on the paper will come true.
If the Lam Tsuen wishing trees prove to be too far away or you’d rather stay in, you can also make your own wishing tree at home. Hanging your wishes on your own plants is a common local tradition. Some common wishes include academic or career success, longevity in life or health and safety – but what you wish for is up to you.
The Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade
Although the details are yet to be confirmed for 2022, the Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade is one of the most heavily anticipated Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong. The parade is set in Tsim Sha Tsui, starting from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, usually around 8 p.m. The celebration includes fireworks, prayers, family gatherings and the parade, filled with lion and dragon dances and colorful performances.
As the event is quite popular so we recommend that you get there in advance to see the parade up close. However, you can also consider buying tickets to sit at the spectator stands from the Tourism Office at the Star Ferry Pier for a view from afar, away from the bustling crowds.
Win big at the Sha Tin Racecourse
With all the good fortune you may be praying and wishing for over the Chinese New Year, why not try your luck at the Sha Tin Racecourse? The venue’s Chinese New Year races are considered the most popular event of the year, showcasing horse races for the Chinese New Year Cup, performances like lion and dragon dances and raffles.
Previous prizes for the raffles included things like property, gold-plated ornaments and money.
Glow up at a Lantern festival
On February 15, the Spring Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the lunar calendar and the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditional lanterns take various shapes and colors, enhancing the festive mood of Chinese New Year. You can also make a wish before the lantern floats up to the sky to knock out two festival traditions at once.
Although many lantern carnivals take place around Hong Kong this time of year, the most popular is at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Lantern carnivals and festivals are free to the public, so be sure to not miss out on the dazzling views this Chinese New Year 2022.
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