Celebrate Chinese New Year in Taiwan

Revellers discontent with just one New Year’s celebration can celebrate this event twice during Taiwan’s traditional Chinese Lunar New Year festivities. Celebrations will take place on the island from 13th-16th February 2010.
 
Lunar New Year is one of the most important and colourful events of the year and festivities last for up to four days.  Family is central to the festival and it joins together to enjoy a New Year’s Eve banquet on 13th February 2010. Gifts are exchanged for the coming year and children and younger people are given money in traditional red envelopes.
 
All of Taiwan’s temples are usually very busy during this time of year, as Taiwanese people crowd into them to pray for good luck. At the stroke of midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, the doors of temples are thrown open and locals surge forward in an attempt to be the first to place their incense sticks into the censer, as the first person to do so is believed to be blessed with good luck for the coming year.
 
Shopping for Lunar New Year’s fare begins early and local street markets bustle with people buying groceries for the festival. Familiar songs and traditional music associated with the Lunar New Year are broadcast in shopping centres, many of which hold sales in celebration of the event.
 
For more information, visit: taiwan.net.tw