Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

Chinese New Year

I spent Chinese New Year with my aunt and her family in Beijing this past weekend. As it came close to midnight on Saturday, we made Chinese dumplings, also known as jiao zi.

I made these myself. They're a little ugly.

Jiao zi are made during the Chinese New Year to symbolize money and prosperity; one of China's earliest forms of currency was called jiao zi. So by eating these dumplings, you're in a sense eating money.

Considering my current salary, I should of ate more. But beforehand, we had already had a large dinner, filled with dishes of all kind.

These golden nuggets are called wotou, basically Chinese cornbread. My aunt said I had to eat one because the Chinese emperors used to eat them.

By midnight, Beijing had turned into a war zone, explosions of fireworks erupting across the city. Riding my bicycle back to my apartment, I could see that the streets were covered in red, piles of festive debris littering the pavement. A passing police car didn't mind the mess.

Along with firecrackers, red lanterns play an important role during the Chinese New Year.

Legend has it that these lanterns are displayed because of an ancient beast that would attack during the Chinese New Year. One day it was discovered that the beast was afraid of the color red and loud noises. So from then on, whenever the New Year came, red lanterns and firecrackers would be used to ward off the beast.

Yesterday I went to Beijing's Temple of Earth, where quite a few red lantern ornaments were displayed. But there were also quite a few other things going, some of it a little less traditional.

Beijing's Temple of Earth holds one of the city's largest temple fairs in commemoration of the Chinese New Year. To celebrate, the 380-year-old temple was turned into a carnival of sorts. Denizens could come and win a stuffed animal at the different games offered.  Bugs Bunny was also present and available for pictures.

Even the sacrificial altar had been turned into a platform for karaoke.

Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival. Usually people get about a week off. But traditionally the festivities will go on for 15 days. As I write this, I hear the bang of fireworks off in the distance. It never stops.