Celebrating Lunar New Year at global Chinatowns
The Year of the Rat begins with people around the world celebrating the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. Traditionally, festivities began earlier this month and end on Feb 8, with the actual Chinese New Year taking place on Saturday. During the three weeks, the celebration is split into three parts: Little year (a time for preparation), spring festival (Jan 25 to Feb 4) and the iconic lantern festival (Feb 8). Helping people mark the Chinese New Year is Booking.com which shares some of the top destinations across the globe that celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rat. BANGKOK Of course, when it comes to Chinese New Year in Thailand, Yaowarat Road is the go-to place. Bangkok’s Chinatown is known for culinary delights and Chinese temples. Among the must-visit locations is Wat Traimit which houses the Golden Buddha, the largest gold Buddha statue in the world. Tomorrow at Yaowarat Road there will also be spectacular dragon parades and travellers can light a candle at the Kuan Yim Shrine and Dragon Flower Temple for prosperity. YOKOHAMA Yokohama’s Chinatown has a history dating back more than 160 years and is the largest Chinatown in Japan. Travellers exploring Yokohama can meander through the narrow and colourful streets and sample foodie favourites, including steamed buns and ramen noodles. Then they can head to the popular site of Kanteibyo, which is an impressive coloured temple in the centre of Chinatown. The city of Yokohama also boasts a 15-day spring festival where locals and travellers alike can celebrate by viewing the iconic Lion Dance and Celebration Parade. MELBOURNE Melbourne’s Chinatown situates the Chinese Museum and visitors can enjoy delicious Chinese food in authentic restaurants in the neighbourhood. For the past 160 years, the Melbourne Chinese New Year festival has been celebrated in this Chinatown. On Feb 2, visitors will have a chance to watch Dai Loong Big Dragon Parade. SAN FRANCISCO The bustling Chinatown of San Francisco is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States and boasts an array of restaurants, tea shops, karaoke bars, galleries, herbal shops, a two-story marketplace and an iconic Dragon’s Gate. On Feb 8, the Chinatown will host the Grand Parade, which includes a 28-foot-long golden dragon, floats, dancers and music. LIVERPOOL Home to a vibrant Chinatown that’s located south of the city centre, visitors enter Liverpool’s Chinatown through its iconic ceremonial arch, which is in fact, the tallest arch in any Chinatown outside of mainland China and was a gift from Shanghai.