It’s the new year and February is approaching. If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Taiwan, you may be wondering if they celebrate Chinese New Years. A country participating in this massive holiday can completely change the experience of traveling to the country.
So does Taiwan celebrate Chinese New Years? Yes, Taiwan does celebrate Chinese New Years. Most of the people in the country are ethnically Chinese and many of the island’s first inhabiters originated from various parts of China. And depending on the company or organization, employees take between 3 and 9 days off work.
Like many parts of Asia, Taiwan celebrates this holiday. However, many other countries call it Lunar New Years. Let’s explore why and how Taiwan celebrates Chinese New Years.
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What’s Chinese New Years?
Chinese New Years, often referred to as Lunar New Years around the world (and sometimes in Taiwan), is the celebration of a new year based on the traditional Chinese calendar.
It’s similar to how the western world celebrates our New Years, but with a different calendar and schedule.
In mainland China, this holiday is often called Spring Festival. However, the Taiwanese refer to the new years with several names, including Chinese New Years, Lunar New Years and the Lantern Festival.
The Chinese calendar is based on the Gregorian calendar. However, a month on the Chinese calendar is 28 days and based on the cycle of the moon and earth’s relativity to the sun. Furthermore, the Chinese calendar adds an extra month every three years.
As you may already know, the Chinese calendar revolves around the Chinese zodiac, which is made up of 12 specific animals celebrated each year on a rotating cycle. Each animal has it’s own characteristics and meaning.
So, those born on an animal’s year are said to have the personality of that zodiac animal. The animals of the Chinese Zodiac include the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
The Legend of the Beast
To understand why Chinese New Years is celebrated, well have to dive back and look into the mythology and legend that started it all. According to the folklore, CNY began with a mythical beast that appeared during Spring Festival, called Nian.
This “beast” is characterized as a large animal that resembles a cross between a lion and dragon – with horns. Not only would Nian terrorize villages, but also eat children in the middle of the night.
It wasn’t until one year that the villagers decided to do something about it. They hid from the beast that year. An old villager named Yanhuang volunteered to stay to get his “revenge” on the beast.
He did this by putting up red paper all across the village and setting off firecrackers throughout the night. To the villagers’ surprise, the beast left their village untouched. The only logical explanation was that the beast was afraid of loud noises and the color red.
Since then, the villagers would set off firecrackers, hang red lanterns, put up red scrolls and wear the color red during this time of the year. Legend says the beast never returned and it’s become a long-standing tradition.
How Taiwan Celebrates Chinese New Years
You know its Chinese New Years in Taiwan when you see the color of red. Most Taiwanese cities, from large metropolitans like Taipei to small rural towns decorate the streets with red.
Red lanterns are a must, and you’ll see them everywhere in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Years. You’ll find them in big shopping plazas, such as Shin Kong (in Taipei) or along the cliff buildings of Jiufen Old Street.
Unfortunately, fireworks aren’t common this time of the year as it is with western New Years and eve. I’d love for them to shoot fireworks from Taipei 101 as they do on New Years.
On the day of Chinese New Years, expect the streets to be lively with parades of dancing dragons, various religious activities and families taking some time off with their relatives. It’s certainly a happy time in the country.
Yamingshan Flower Festival
In a country as lush and green as Taiwan, the Yangmingshan Flower Festival is the most famous floral festival in the country. So that’s saying a lot. Plus, it happens during Chinese New Years week.
This takes place in Taipei (Yangmingshan), and according to Common Wealth, this annual festival attracts over a million visitors every year – both from around the country and abroad.
Chinese New Years is around the time cherry blossoms start blooming, which is probably the main attraction at this flower festival. But if you can’t make it during the festival, not to worry. Cherry blossoms can be seen throughout February as well.
ADDRESS: Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園), 1-20 Zhuzihu Rd, Taipei City (台北市竹子湖路20-1號)
Sky Lantern Festival
This is perhaps the coolest attraction that happens during Chinese New Years in Taiwan. It takes place in Pingxi, which is just northeast of Taipei. So while you’ll need to travel a little bit from Taipei, it’s well worth the journey.
During this lantern festival, hundreds of floating lanterns are simultaneously sent into the air. In the past, these lanterns were used to send signals. However, they’re mainly used for prayers and blessings for the New Year.
Pick up a lantern and write your wishes for the upcoming new year. Spark up the lantern and send it flying along with the others for one of the most spectacular sights you’ll ever see.
If you decide to explore around the area, there are many things you can check out before the event. I’d suggest heading over to Shifen Waterfall and Jiufen Old Street.
ADDRESS: No.136, Nanshanping, Nanshan Village, Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
Chinese New Years Dinner in Taiwan
One of the long-standing traditions of Chinese New Years in Taiwan is a family dinner. Relatives get together and they celebrate at someone’s home or at a restaurant. If you’re not from around here, it’s going to be hard finding a reservation at a restaurant this day.
The last time I celebrated new years in Taipei, my uncle said he had to book the reservation 3 months in advance. It wasn’t a super-fancy or famous restaurant either.
Most restaurants during Chinese New Years also have a set course made specifically for the celebration too. You really aren’t even given a choice of what to order.
If you’re living in Taiwan as a foreigner, you might even have some local friends invite you to their dinner celebration. It’s a great experience and an awesome look into the culture of Taiwan.