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Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is celebrated across China and in many parts of Asia and the world where Chinese communities can be found. It is often marked by time off work or school and includes family visits, meals together, and games like mahjong.
Tourists from Russia take selfies on the Bund in Shanghai. China is keen to drive up spending by inbound travellers over the Lunar New Year. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

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Accidents and disasters in China

12 killed in China’s second deadly Lunar New Year firework explosion

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks dazzle as visitor numbers gallop ahead

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Robotics

China’s humanoid robot orders surge after Spring Festival spotlight

Interest also spiked in Noetix’s Bumi, a companion robot that appeared in a family-themed comedy sketch at the gala.

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Robots perform during China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala 2026 on Monday. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for February 21-23

We’ve got you covered for drinks as we welcome the Year of the Horse, from Chinese New Year cocktails to a special night at Qura with Singapore’s Side Door.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong households hit by water disruption during Lunar New Year

Further repairs needed at estate in Sau Mau Ping, while supply at two other estates restored.

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Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong marks start of Lunar New Year with surge of visitors

Visitor numbers hit 153,383 on first day of holiday, up by 10 per cent year on year, with more than 120,000 coming from mainland China.

Tourists crowd the harbourfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong society

‘Stay vigilant even in peace,’ rural leader says in Lunar New Year prophecy

Kenneth Lau also calls on city to embrace innovation after drawing ‘neutral’ No 22 fortune stick at Che Kung Temple.

Chinese culture

When should you open your Lunar New Year red packets? The luckiest time, and why

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

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Hong Kong society

Tens of thousands line streets for Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year night parade

Float parade to mark start of the Year of the Horse begins with an East-meets-West street party.

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The Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui on Tuesday evening. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Robotics

China’s Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output after viral success of annual gala

With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push.

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Shaolin meets silicon: Unitree’s humanoid robots perform routines alongside human martial artists at China’s Spring Festival Gala, showcasing the next leap in robotics. Photo: CCTV
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s first 4 babies of Year of the Horse include fifth child for a couple

Among newborns are a girl whose father is a talent visa holder from mainland China and a boy who is the fifth child of a local couple.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong crowds flock to Tai Po wishing tree for Lunar New Year blessings

Locals and tourists alike brave the wet weather to mark the start of the Lunar New Year in time-honoured tradition.

China economy

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

Customers look at gold rings at a jewellery store in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters
Food and Drinks

8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to welcome the Year of the Horse

From dumplings shaped like gold ingots to longevity noodles, these traditional Lunar New Year dishes are eaten to invite good fortune.

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A traditional shared Lunar New Year dish, poon choi is made from layers of premium ingredients and signifies fullness and prosperity. Photo: Ser Wong Fun
Retailing

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

Mental health

Q&A | A mental health expert on how you can make your New Year’s resolutions stick

If your resolutions are already faltering in February, worry not – there’s always Chinese New Year, and Hong Kong’s Sonia Samtani is here to help.

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Crazy Rich Asians

Which Crazy Rich Asians star are you, according to the Chinese zodiac?

To celebrate Chinese New Year, we look at the zodiac through the lens of the cultural landmark film, which featured Michelle Yeoh, Ken Jeong, Awkwafina and Henry Golding.

Crazy Rich Asians was a 2018 landmark film. According to the Chinese zodiac, which star of the hit film are you most like? Photo: Handout.
From our archives

In pictures: Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year obsession with good fortune

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, we take a look back at how Hong Kong invited good luck through traditional customs from the 1970s to the 2000s.

Fintech

Can Hong Kong lead a digital gold trading revolution with blockchain innovation?

Beyond banks, asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms are racing to launch innovative tokenised gold products for investors.

China jobs

Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds

As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely.

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People walk on The Bund in Shanghai on October 3, 2024. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese culture

Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

After sitting through the Spring Festival Gala with mainland Chinese friends, I had to introduce them to a delightful ritual from Singapore.

Children hold up calligraphy banners they have just received for Lunar New Year in Singapore on January 29, ahead of the holiday. Photo: Xinhua
Trending in China

How Chinese people overcome challenges by ‘eating’ and ‘whipping’ the spring

Seasonal festival rituals aim to promote agricultural abundance, include consumption of special food, striking of symbolic ox.

Hong Kong society

Thousands flock to Hong Kong temple for Lunar New Year incense stick ritual

Wong Tai Sin Temple throws open its doors as worshippers pray for prosperity and health in the Year of the Horse.

Hong Kong tourism

Few signs of littering as Hong Kong campsites fill up for Lunar New Year break

Following previous complaints, government has vowed to take a more proactive approach to tackle littering at sites this year.

Wu Handeng (left) and Jiang Li are camping on the beach. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong society

Curry fishball toys a hit as Hong Kong nostalgia shines at Lunar New Year fair

Vendors say locally designed Hong Kong-themed merchandise drew in customers at Victoria Park’s Lunar New Year fair.

Plush toys resembling Hong Kong street snacks were a hit at the Lunar New Year fair at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong economy

Traffic gridlock in Hong Kong as crowds throng last day of Lunar New Year fair

Roads surrounding flower market at Victoria Park and connecting tram and bus routes grind to a halt amid crowds seeking last-minute bargains.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Night King: Dayo Wong, Sammi Cheng lead enjoyably fluffy nightclub comedy

While slightly disjointed and overlong, Night King delivers a fun blend of romance and nostalgic glamour set in Hong Kong’s nightclub scene.

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