Chinese New Year is the Chinese version of Christmas and Western New Year's celebrations, but many Chinese get in the holiday spirit during Western New Year's. New Year's Day is an official holiday in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan with many businesses and schools closed on New Year's Day.
Western New Year's holiday (Jan. 1) is celebrated differently than the Chinese New Year's holiday. While Chinese New Year’s Eve is held several weeks after Western New Year's Eve, revelers can enjoy a Chinese-style Dec. 31 by enjoying some traditional Chinese New Year's Eve activities.
Wrap and Eat Dumplings
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Making dumplings together with family and friends is an essential part of Chinese New Year. Generations of family gather around the kitchen table and wrap dumplings while chatting about the past year's events and discussing the forthcoming year. Once the dumplings are made, the family feasts on them at midnight and on New Year's Day.
Watch TV and Countdown to the New Year
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Make a Toast in Chinese
Ring in the New Year with a bottle of champagne and make a toast in Chinese.Launch and/or Watch Fireworks
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From 1993 to 2006, fireworks were banned in Beijing, but the ban has been lifted during the Chinese New Year holiday.
Play Mahjong
Lauren Mack / About.com
Many Chinese families enjoy playing mahjong during the Chinese New Year. Learn how to play this classic Chinese game.