Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
Hong Kong beckons
|
Come January 22, Hong Kong's picturesque waterfront will pulsate to the sights, sounds and fun of the 2004 International Chinese New Year Parade. Read on with SUMITRA SENAPATY on what is in store on the Chinese New Year's Day.
|
THIS TIME of the year, most resolutions - made on December 31 - have been subtly forgotten and placed in a cupboard marked "maybe next year." However, all hope is not lost, as there is a second chance to start afresh with the celebration of the Chinese New Year! Step into January 22, the Chinese New Year's day. And in Hong Kong, in style. It is unlikely any visitor to Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year would leave without being greeted Kung Hei Fat Choy - "Wishing you success and prosperity!" Often, that greeting is accompanied by a gift of lai see, a gold-stamped red paper envelope with a good-luck motto, and containing crisp, new paper money.
This year, the Chinese calendar will usher in The Year of the Monkey in spectacular style with exciting international events and family entertainment. The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront will be transformed into a festive entertainment area where dragon and lion dances, costumed performers, clowns, stilt walkers, dance troupes, bands and colourful floats are paraded. Hong Kong's picturesque waterfront will pulsate to the sights, sounds and fun of the 2004 International Chinese New Year Parade.
And then there is the lion dance - a colourful, noisy and athletic display of mask dancing to frighten away evil spirits and bring in good luck. Most hotels have a lion troupe performing in the lobby while, in the traditional
Chinese villages, troupes move from house to house in rhythmic abandon. Everyone dresses up in new clothes on the first day of the New Year celebrations even as family members greet each other with the red packets and fervent cries of "Kung Hei Fat Choy". And then, after a delicious New Year's feast, all eyes turn to the New Year Parade. Just as people born under the sign of the Monkey are considered lively and creative, Hong Kong's first-ever International Chinese New Year Night Parade will feature a colourful mix of elaborately decorated floats, marching bands, crowd-pleasing lion and dragon dancers, as well as performers from around the world on the first day of Chinese New Year! Glitters and sparkles would adorn the streets of Hong Kong where the parade ushers in theYear of the Monkey.
Shooting firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the new. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door and window is left open to allow the old year to
depart. According to Chinese customs, the third day is not suitable to visit relatives and friends, so most people pay a visit to the Che Kung Temple to pray for good health and prosperity. And the lucky few join the heart-thumping excitement at the Sha Tin racecourse. Popular belief has it that whoever wins with the horses this day remains lucky throughout the year. Chinese folklore tells us of a monster that always comes out to eat people during the first few days of the New Year, so Chinese people traditionally lit fireworks and wore red clothing to scare away this monster. Today, these have become the icons for an auspicious and happy New Year!
TIPS FOR HONGKONG
1.Use the mass transit system. Not only is it state of the art. It also adds to the "getting there is half the fun" theory.
2. Shop! That is what this city is all about. Go into every shopping centre you see because there are deals to be found everywhere. Do not bypass the night street markets because that is an experience in itself.
3. Take the tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island. The views are absolutely breathtaking at night.
4. Look both ways before crossing the street. Traffic patterns are different in Hong Kong, so be careful.
5. Best time to go weather wise, would be during the Chinese New Year and immediately after.
6. Best way to go is to fly. Cathay Pacific has a number of flights to Hong Kong.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
