RING FESTIVAL FOR FOREIGNERS
of Guangdong Province, is renowned for its vibrant lion and dragon dances, adding a festive spirit to the celebrations. During the holiday, the metropolis is set to host events such as dragon and lion dance parades. Particularly noteworthy is the fireworks display scheduled for the first day of the Chinese New Year.
As for Spring Festival traditions, lantern shows are indispensable. The lantern show in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, which started on January 21 and will continue until the end of February, marks the start of monthlong celebrations for the Spring Festival and the subsequent Lantern Festival. Enchanting scenes, including the zodiac dragon lantern, promise to immerse visitors in a splendid traditional Chinese atmosphere.
Delectable cuisine
A trip to Beijing would be incomplete without a visit to the Great Wall, just as it would be incomplete without savoring Beijing roast duck. Often hailed as “the first dish to try in China,” this iconic dish, with its long history and former status as a royal delicacy, promises foreign tourists a legendary taste and a memorable dining experience.
The Beijing Qianmen branch of Quanjude, one of China’s best-known roast duck chain restaurants, could be a preferred choice for enjoying the delicacy. Located at Qianmen, which has been a bustling commercial district since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the branch is often so crowded that foodies fascinated by its prestige have to stand in long lines.
However, Beijing cuisine offers much more than just that. After dining at Quanjude, visitors can continue to explore the Qianmen commercial district, which exudes a festive atmosphere of joy and auspiciousness during the Spring Festival. Local delicacies, particularly at a restaurant called Donglaishun, known for its specialty — instant-boiled mutton, a traditional hot pot dish — should not be missed.
In recent years, Chinese dishes featuring spicy and mouth-numbing flavors, known as mala, have gained popularity. For foreign tourists who enjoy spicy hot pot, it is advisable to seek the most authentic cuisine in southwest China’s Sichuan Province and Chongqing, both renowned for their spicy offerings, with restaurants serving such dishes scattered throughout these regions.
As one of the four major Chinese cuisines, Cantonese cuisine, or Guangdong cuisine, has continued to impress global food enthusiasts with its delightful freshness, making it an ideal choice for foreigners who appreciate a light taste. Delicacies such as dim sum, boiled shrimp, roast goose, bite-sized wontons and steamed spareribs with pickled plums are sure to tantalize the taste buds of diners. Travelers can indulge in this cuisine when exploring the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, making it a fitting choice for winter tours.