Activities for Lunar New Year 2022 around Asia

For Lunar Near Year 2022, it's the Year of the Tiger. So it's your year if you were born in 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, or 1938.

Because the lunar calendar is different from the western solar calendar, Lunar New Year usually falls between the end of January and mid-February. For around 15 days, people celebrate the new year by having feasts, giving lucky red envelopes, and having grand displays.

To accommodate these celebrations, many employers give their workers a week off. So, if you're planning on traveling to an Asian country for Lunar New Year 2022, expect it to be packed with people celebrating outside!

Unique Lunar New Year 2022 Activities in China

Because a new year means a new start, the Chinese will give their houses a deep clean, as they believe it sweeps away bad luck from the previous year. They'll also decorate their houses in red since this is a lucky color that'll keep evil spirits away.

On New Year's Eve, families will come together to have a large feast. Many generations will gather to have a reunion dinner where everyone will enjoy some quality bonding time. Lucky foods served include fish, dumplings, tangyuan (sweet rice balls), longevity noodles, and spring rolls.

Older relatives will gift children red envelopes, which are filled with money. The amount will usually end in 8 or 6, as these are homophones for the words "prosperity" and "smooth". Adults gift each other tea, alcohol, candies, and fruit.

On the day itself, people will set off fireworks and firecrackers, which is a way to scare off evil spirits. There are also lion and dragon dances throughout the cities.

Unique Lunar New Year 2022 Activities in Japan

In Japan, you'll similarly see many people cleaning out their homes before Lunar New Year. In addition, they'll open their windows and doors to allow good luck to flow into their homes.

The Japanese will also visit their relatives, and elders will give children and unmarried young adults red envelopes with money in them. When they gather for the New Year's Eve dinner, the Japanese will eat dumplings, spring rolls, fish, and sticky rice cakes.

After feasting, everyone will try to stay up as late as possible. The longer you stay up, the more your parents will be blessed with longevity.

The next day, you'll see people setting off fireworks and firecrackers, and there will be lots of live music and lion dancing to see.

Unique Lunar New Year 2022 Activities in South Korea

The Lunar New Year holiday lasts for 3 days in South Korea - the day itself, as well as the days right before and after. Like in the above countries, South Koreans travel back to their hometowns to get together with their relatives. They'll eat foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (or buchimgae, a savory pancake).

On Lunar New Year, they perform charye, which is an ancestral ritual that involves presenting foods to the ancestral shrine. Many people will also dress up in traditional clothing called hanbok.

A custom is to build a moon house, which has firewood in it. South Koreans will burn the firewood to ward off bad spirits, as well as wishes so they come true in the next year.

Instead of red envelopes, elders will give children silk bags with money.

Also, there are several games played during Lunar New Year. Families will play yutnori (a board game) and jegichagi (similar to hacky sack), neolttwigi (seesaw jumping), gongginori (stone game), and paengi (top spinning).

Unique Lunar New Year 2022 Activities in Singapore

Much of Singapore's activities for Lunar New Year 2022 will seem familiar. You'll see lots of red in the streets and people's homes. They'll also have kumquat trees in front of their houses, as the fruits look like gold and symbolize fortune.

Singaporeans will go home and have a reunion feast with their family and the children are given red envelopes full of money like in other Asian cultures. After the reunion meal, Singaporeans will go to the temples and offer prayers to the gods.

On New Year's Day, Singaporeans will visit one another and will always give each other pairs of Mandarin oranges in paper carriers. It's considered rude not to do so!

Every year, downtown Singapore holds the Chingay Parade, which has floats, dancers, and fireworks displays.

You'll also see the street light-up ceremony, where Chinatown becomes lit up with gorgeous Chinese lanterns. All throughout downtown and Chinatown, you'll find many markets and bazaars with vendors selling festive goods.

At the end of Lunar New Year, the last celebration is held at River Hongbao. This open-air exhibit shows performances, fireworks, and large, beautiful lanterns.

Unique Lunar New Year 2022 Activities in Malaysia

Malaysia is another country that celebrates Lunar New Year by deep cleaning their houses, gathering for reunion dinners, giving out red envelopes, and having lion and dragon dances.

What's unique to this country is that Malaysians also give to local charities. In addition, they try to eliminate all debt before Lunar New Year, so they have better fortune in the upcoming year.

What's also special to Malaysia is people will have "open houses". This is where they welcome their friends, family, and neighbors to visit. They'll share food and drinks, and the kids will light firecrackers.

If you're in town, make sure to visit Chinatown, as this is where all the excitement is. Not only are there fireworks and lion and dragon dances, but there are also lots of locals who go to the Chinese temples to pray.

They also go to Penang Island to pray at the temples there. Every night, the numerous lamps' lights are turned on; it's a beautiful sight to see!

Fly With Trip.com during Lunar New Year 2022

If you want to celebrate Lunar New Year 2022 with loved ones in the above countries, then there are plenty of flights back home through Trip.com. For instance, there are cheap flights from New York to Singapore, so book now to get the best prices!

As you can see, Lunar New Year 2022 will be full of fun and exciting activities in many Asian countries. If you're planning on visiting any of the above countries listed during these festivities, then you're sure to have an unforgettable time!

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