Tag Archives: Spring Festival
A Long Journey Home Posted by sasha on Feb 16, 2015
The Spring Festival is fast approaching, and millions of Chinese people are heading home to ring in the New Year with their loved ones. For many, it’s a long and tiring journey home. Trains are packed to the brim, airports are bustling, and roads are full of cars, trucks, and buses all across the country…
Gift Giving in China Posted by sasha on Dec 19, 2014
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked on numerous occasions by my students about the culture of giving gifts when it comes to Christmas: “Who do you give gifts to?” “Which gifts are the most common in your family?” “How much should you spend on a gift?” This got me thinking about the differences…
A Love Letter to Chinese Dumplings Posted by sasha on Apr 27, 2014
Dear Chinese dumplings, It’s been months since we last met, yet it feels like ages. Sure, I’ve come across restaurants throughout SE Asia claiming to serve the real deal, but it’s just not the same. Back when I called Beijing home, I took you for granted. I realize that now, and I’m terribly sorry. You…
Chinese New Year Posted by sasha on Jan 30, 2014
The year of the snake is winding down as we get ready to enter the year of the horse. At the moment, millions upon millions of Chinese are cramming bus stations, highways, train stations, and airplanes in a mad rush to get home to welcome in the new year. This madness is known as the…
Spring Festival (春节) Posted by sasha on Feb 10, 2013
Tomorrow is the official start of the Spring Festival, China’s longest and most important holiday. As China follows the lunar calendar, the Spring Festival is also known as Chinese New Year. The madness of the chun yun travel rush is still going on, but most people should already be home by now. Today, on New…
The Spring Festival (Video) Posted by sasha on Feb 9, 2013
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is China’s longest and most important holiday. This festival has a history going back thousands of years, and there are tons of interesting customs and traditions associated with it. Learn more about the Spring Festival while learning a lot of useful Chinese vocabulary with this video…
Top 10 of 2012 Posted by sasha on Dec 31, 2012
Tempus fugit (time flies in Latin) – one of the only things I remember from my language classes in high school. That ancient phrase still holds true today. This year has flown by; 2012 is just about finished. Despite all the hype around the Mayan calendar, we’re still here. Having spent a few weeks in…