Dawn at Shanghai Tower. On New Year's Day, the top of the Shanghai Observatory will open early, allowing residents and tourists to ascend China's tallest building and gaze out over the city from a height of over 500 meters, providing the perfect vantage point to see the first ray of light of the New Year ascend over the horizon. Date: Jan 1 Chinese New Year in Shanghai: 7 Ideas 1. Yuyuan New Year Folk Art Lantern Festival Lights. uyuan Shopping Mall has created an immersive holiday scene experience interpreting traditional Chinese culture. In addition to seeing the lanterns in Yuyuan Garden, there are delicious foods, exciting activities, and New Year goods with full discounts. 2. Explore the rich history of old Shanghai through a dynamic, walk-through show that combines dramatic performances with cultural heritage. With special performances, actor interactions, and an online-offline mini- program, SAGA City of Light offers a unique, immersive way to celebrate the New Year in the heart of Shanghai. This year's theme is inspired by Shan Hai Jing or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back over 2,000 years. Anting Ancient Town will blend historical sites with folk activities, featuring drumming, bell striking atop towers, and intangible cultural heritage craft experiences. Panlong Tiandi, a Chinese New Year Temple Fair with colorful fish lanterns in the New Year's flavor, and you can experience fun games such as money eye punch, New Year's painting topography, handwritten Chinese New Year couplets, fireworks twisters, and window cut-outs. 2.2 10:00-11:00/2.5 10:00-11:00/2.12 17:00-18:00 The history professors of Historic Shanghai are staying in town over Chinese New Year, and doing two walks. On January 26, it’s Disappearing Old City – Xiaonanmen , which tours an exceptionally atmospheric part of the ancient Chinese city, now slated for demolition and re-development. Chinese National Holidays for Chinese New Year is from the 10th to the 17th January, so anyone working in Shanghai should have plenty of time off to go and do some New Year activities! CNY in Shanghai – Yu Garden Lantern Festival. CNY in Shanghai – Longhua Temple Celebration. CNY in Shanghai – Guyi Garden Spring Festival Fair 5. New Year season at Shanghai Happy Valley. Open: Feb 10 onwards. Address: No 888 Linhu Road, Songjiang district. Embrace the Chinese New Year spirit at Shanghai Happy Valley, which will feature a weeklong fireworks show starting Feb 10 with captivating folk performances and lantern shows. A parade at Shanghai Happy Valley. From exhibitions and concerts to temple fairs and light shows, Shanghai is laying out a warm welcome for tourists to experience authentic Chinese Lunar New Year flavors and celebrate the Spring Festival, which falls on February 10, with about 200 activities rolled out across the city. Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. This is a festival called Laba ( 腊八 Làbā /laa-baa/ '12th lunar month' + '8'), in the traditional sense, which Shanghai is hosting a wide array of engaging activities for everyone to enjoy as the Year of the Dragon approaches. Embrace the Chinese New Year spirit at Shanghai has launched over 200 cultural and tourism activities celebrating the upcoming Spring Festival, aiming to create a Chinese New Year atmosphere with metropolitan characteristics, according to a press conference held by the municipal government on Thursday. Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year or Spring Festival 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. Snake is the new year animal. Learn more about Chinese Lunar New Year traditions, taboos, food, zodiac signs, and greetings. What’s all the red about during Chinese Lunar New Year in Shanghai? Modern day Chinese New Year customs can be traced back to the folklore story of a beast named Nian. As the legend goes, Nian lived in the mountains. However, towards the end of winter, if it ran out of food, it would come down the mountain to invade the towns. The all-inclusive River View King package comes with a one night stay, breakfast for two, complimentary glasses of mulled wine at the lounge, and a special New Year's service (only lasts till Jan 31). If interested in spending the night, click here for SmartTicket: Park Hyatt Staycation. Booking Date: Valid until January 31. Over 200 activities launched to celebrate upcoming holiday in Shanghai. Shanghai has launched over 200 cultural and tourism activities celebrating the upcoming Spring Festival, aiming to create a Chinese New Year atmosphere with metropolitan characteristics, according to a press conference held by the municipal government on Thursday. This custom of Chinese New Year has become increasingly popular with time. Read More: Stories about the Spring Festival. Chinese New Year Traditions Chinese New Year Traditions & Celebrations. Although the Spring Festival is scheduled on the first day of the first lunar month, the activities during Chinese New Year are not limited to just that day. This city gives you all the opportunities of celebrating New Year in the traditional Chinese style which most other cities of the country lack despite of their beauty and heritage. RINGING THE BELL AT LONGHUA TEMPLE. The locals start celebrating the New Year by ringing the ancient Buddhist bell at Shanghai’s Longhua Temple. Chinese New Year's Eve Traditions 1. Putting Up New Year Decorations. People believe that auspicious decorations can drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chinese people will hang red lanterns in front of their houses, put Chinese New Year Couplets on doors, and put flowers with lucky symbols inside their houses. 7. Sending Chinese New Year Wishes. During Chinese New Year, Chinese people will greet each other with pleasant words like: 'Xin nian kuai le' which means 'Happy New Year' (simplified Chinese: 新年快乐). See more Chinese New Year Greetings and Wishes. 8. Watching the New Year TV Gala
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