Chinese New Year in Vancouver, BC 2008: Year of the Rat

Chinese New Year is an ancient tradition that is celebrated around the world. The coming New Year will officially begin on February 8, 2008, but festivities will last for two weeks. It will be the Chinese year, 4706 and the year of the rat. This year, Vancouver, BC. will be having an exciting celebration to usher in the Chinese New Year. This celebration will include local events, parades, and entertainment. Many of these activities are family-friendly and provide a great opportunity to culture and amuse children.

Traditions
The main traditions for Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) include use of the color red, fireworks, and huge family feasts. The Chinese New Year is ended with the Festival of Lanterns. This festival has been a tradition for over 2000 years, since the days of the Han Dynasty.

Some of the foods associated with the Chinese New Year include black moss seaweed, bean curd, and bamboo shoots so don't be afraid to try something new. Another tradition is to eat one vegetarian meal called jai. Each food and tradition has a deep-rooted meaning therefore, this can be a fun activity to share with kids. Oranges and tangerines are said to bring happiness to the recipients, while peanuts are said to bring long life. Knowledge of these facts can make for a fun day of searching out specific foods from streets vendors to make sure the right fortunes come into your life.

Another tradition for the Chinese New Year is not to wash the hair on this day, washing hair could result in a loss of luck. Sharp objects such as knives shouldn't be used either for fear of them severing the flow of luck. There are many more traditions to learn about and educating yourself before the festivities could make for a more enjoyable and enlightening experience.

Chinatown
The Chinatown New Year Parade begins on February 10, 2008. As usual, there will be lion dancers, fan dancers, and martial artists. Street vendors will be out with an array of foods, but if it's a restaurant you're looking for, Chinatown has some of the best. Some superb restaurants in Chinatown include The Boss Bakery and Restaurant, Floata Seafood Restaurant, Hon's Wun Tun House, and the New Town Bakery and Restaurant. The Silk Road Route is the first pedestrian walkway connecting Vancouver's Chinatown to downtown Vancouver, which could make for a good path of activities. In addition, the West Han Dynasty Bell located in Shanghai Alley is a fascinating attraction that has significant historical value.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden
On the same day that the Chinatown New Year Parade begins, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden will be open. It is free to the public and will be open all day. According to the Vancouver Chinese Garden website, events including fortune telling, tai chi, and traditional Chinese arts and crafts will be featured at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden. The Chinese garden will also be featured in the parade as the New Lion Dance Team.

The Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to learn about the traditions of Chinese culture while having fun. Whether you sample the food of street vendors, watch the parade, or participate in some Chinese arts and crafts, Vancouver is sure to be a fabulous place to ring in the Chinese New Year this February.