Should I stay in China for lunar new year?

[wenwen]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it was worth stayaing in China for the Lunar new year.

 

I'll be an exchange student in China next year, and due to exam season overlapping with christmas I will only be able to go home at the end of january. If I skip lunar new year, I will have a month to spend home, but if I stay for new year, I will only have two weeks.

 

Ideally, I'd like to spend more time with my family. However, some people told me that celebrating lunar new year in China is a rare opportunity that I should take. But from searching the net, it seems most people say that nothing really happens during NY and that people just go home with their families ? If that's the case, I don't think it's worth cutting my holidays in half for. 

 

I'm not sure what to do and wanted to ask for advice !

[anonymoose]

If you have any Chinese friends who you could celebrate the new year with (i.e. if they would invite you back to their hometowns), then I think it would be a rare opportunity which would be a pity to miss. If, on the other hand, you will be left on your own when everyone else disappears, then I don't think there is much worth sticking around for. The fireworks on new year's eve can be interesting, depending one where you are, though I understand there are fewer in the cities now as authorities forbid people from setting them off. But otherwise I agree not much happens over new year.

[suMMit]

Echoing the above, if you have a Chinese friend inviting you to celebrate cny with their family, then do it. If on your own it's not a great time. 

[vellocet]

Spring Festival isn't the insanity it used to be. Used to be empty cities, everything was closed, and super loud fireworks for two weeks straight. Now it's mostly business as usual but all of your friends will be gone and it gets boring. It's a family holiday, and if you don't have  family in  China what's the point in staying?  Go to Thailand or Philippines like everyone else.  

Spring Festival is like Mardi Gras if you live in New Orleans: a good time to be out of town for a couple of weeks. 

[cncorrect]

One important custom during the Spring Festival is visiting friends, especially those who are older than you, and wishing them a 'Happy New Year'. This tradition is known as '拜年' in Chinese. If you enjoy socializing, you might want to try visiting each of your friends' homes. By doing so, they will appreciate your gesture, and it may leave a lasting impression on them.

[Lu]

On 5/30/2024 at 3:31 PM, cncorrect said:

If you enjoy socializing, you might want to try visiting each of your friends' homes.

I think many friends will have left the city to spend the New Year with their family in their hometown... But if you have friends who happen to stay home, visiting them for the New Year is certainly a great idea.

[abcdefg]

On 5/24/2024 at 11:22 AM, wenwen said:

Ideally, I'd like to spend more time with my family.

Suggest doing that. Book plane tickets early. Try to travel a little off peak. 

 

As others have said, if you have been invited home with one of your Chinese friends for the holiday, that's a game changer.