Experience Chinese New Year in Classic Hong Kong Style

Hong Kong is set to celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Dog with a spectacular line-up of festivities and events, from a dazzling fireworks show and world-renowned parade, to pop-up flower markets and festive feasts. The city will be more vibrant than ever during a joyful month of planned celebrations to mark the momentous changing of the guard, all inspired by the adventurous and playful nature of the dog.

Beginning February 16, Asia’s World City will transform into the world's largest Chinese New Year celebration, featuring extravagant experiences that only Hong Kong can do best. "Chinese New Year is one of the best times of year to visit Hong Kong," noted HKTB US Director Bill Flora. "The energetic and festive ambiance of the city is unmatched as Hong Kong ushers in the Year of the Dog with some of the most exciting festivals and events that can be found anywhere in the world."

Hong Kong visitors are invited to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year in true Hong Kong style through a variety of unique events and celebrations:

Exciting Events

- International Chinese New Year Parade: This world-class spectacle will be held on February 16, when local and international performers come together for a rocking night of entertainment. Soak up the electric atmosphere and lively performances with thousands of other spectators as colorful floats sail along Tsim Sha Tsui's main streets.

- Hong Kong Chinese New Year Fireworks Extravaganza: Chinese New Year will start off with a literal bang, courtesy of a spectacular display of pyrotechnics over Victoria Harbour. The splendid 20-minute Hong Kong Chinese New Year Fireworks Extravaganza, occurring annually on the second day of Chinese New Year, will welcome the Year of the Dog by lighting up the night sky on February 17 at 8 p.m. (HK). The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Central Harbourfront are two of the best vantage points to experience the free performance.

- Great European Carnival: The Grand European Carnival transforms the Central Harbourfront Event Space into an outdoor amusement park through February. Take a ride on the giant swinging carousel, taste foods from around the world, try your luck at a games booth, or take in a heart-pounding showing of The Great Circus of Europe.

- Chinese New Year Raceday: The Sha Tin Racecourse comes alive on February 18 when thousands of Hongkongers flock to the track for the very first race of the Year of the Dog. The British colonial legacy of horseracing has been enthusiastically embraced by the local population and continues to be a central part of the city's New Year program, complete with live entertainment and activity booths.

Vibrant Celebrations

- Che Kung Temple: Each Chinese New Year, Che Kung Temple is awash in a sea of colorful spinning decorations in honor of the birthday of its famed military-commander-turned-deity, Che Kung. The deity's birthday falls on the second day of Chinese New Year (Feb. 17), which makes the celebrations at Che Kung Temple a doubly-auspicious affair. Join thousands of well-wishers that come to pay their respects to Che Kung and celebrate the New Year at the same time.

- Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees: The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees are another popular destination for Hongkongers during the Chinese New Year. The original trees, located in Lam Tsuen Village in Tai Po, were believed to bring good fortune to those that tossed joss papers into their branches. Each Chinese New Year, the village is crowded with requests for luck well wishes from visitors from all over the city.

- Flower Markets: Temporary flower markets pop up in Victoria Park and Mongkok a week ahead of the festival each year, full of everything from traditional New Year decorations, souvenirs and delicious treats to vivid and exotic blooms. Various plants carry their own symbols: For instance, kumquats represent wealth; peach blossoms symbolize romance and longevity.

Festive Feasts

- Poon Choi: These one-pot casseroles are a hallmark of traditional village dining culture, and are especially prevalent during Chinese New Year. Poon Choi is made by layering ingredients from meat and poultry to seafood and vegetables on top of each other in a giant pot or basin. The dish is known as a heart-warming communal meal that is perfect for the big groups and celebrations of the Chinese New Year.

- Auspicious-sounding ingredients: Cantonese cuisine cooked with lucky-sounding ingredients are especially popular during Chinese New Year celebrations. For instance, tongyuen dumplings, which sounds similar to the word "reunion" in Cantonese, symbolizes the coming together of family. Dried oysters ("ho si" in Cantonese) are phonetically reminiscent of "good business", and are especially popular with Hong Kong entrepreneurs. Glutinous rice cake or pudding ("neen go" in Cantonese) sounds like "tall year", which is roughly translated to "reaching higher skies each year."