Welcome the Year of the Snake with more than a hissss

Hong Kong celebrates Chinese New Year with exciting festivities

play at various spots around town. At night, they will be lit up to make for great photographs. Colorful groups will also perform on Feb. 11 and 12. Fireworks display (Feb. 11) Thousands will line up on both sides of iconic Victoria Harbour on the second day of Chinese New Year to witness Hong Kong as it ushers in the Year of the Snake with an astounding fireworks display. Join them and start the year with a heart-stopping bang. Horse racing (Feb. 12) This day at the races is held on the third day of the Chinese New Year, when local sports fans head to Sha Tin Racecourse hoping to kick off the New Year with a win. Fortune-seeking trip Throughout Hong Kong, people take time to say their gratitude for the past 12 months and pray for good fortune for the coming year. Popular places to perform these rituals include the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple (burning incense, shaking out fortune sticks); Yuen Yuen Institute (praying to the deity Tai Shui); Che King Temple (spinning the Wheel of Fortune to dispel bad luck and encourage good fortune); Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees (making wishes at the fabled trees in Tai Po); and paying tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo) at the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan. Of course, there is nothing to stop you from shoring up some good fortune by doing the same.

For more information, visit www.discoverhongkong.com.