Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time for immense celebration and tradition in China. It symbolizes the start of the lunar new year and is a time for families to gather, exchange gifts, and eat excellent meals. However, this year's Chinese New Year festivities will be unique in China due of preceding COVID-19 years and the easing of severe controls.

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an impact on Chinese New Year celebrations during the previous two years. The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, quickly spread throughout the country and around the world, prompting lockdowns, travel bans, and social distancing measures. As a result, the celebratory atmosphere of Chinese New Year was subdued, and many families were unable to reunite and celebrate as planned.

However, things appear to be different this year. With the successful virus containment in China and the development of vaccines, the country has been able to relax its stringent measures and resume normalcy. This implies that Chinese New Year celebrations will be able to take place on a greater scale, allowing more people to travel and gather.

One of the most important changes this year will be the resumption of the annual Chunyun, or Spring Festival travel rush. This is the world's greatest annual human migration, with millions returning to their hometowns to spend Chinese New Year with their relatives. Last year, the pandemic had a tremendous impact on the Chunyun, preventing many people from travelling owing to restrictions. However, with the relaxation of measures this year, the Chunyun is set to restart, albeit with some precautions.

Another notable shift will be the return of traditional gatherings and celebrations. Previously, numerous public events and gatherings had been cancelled owing to the pandemic. This year, however, traditional activities including as dragon and lion dances, temple fairs, and lantern festivals are scheduled to return. These festivals not only offer delight to communities, but also contribute significantly to the promotion and preservation of Chinese culture and traditions.

The Chinese New Year festivities include shopping and gift-giving. Many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, have suffered as a result of the pandemic over the last two years. However, as controls are lifted this year, consumer spending is likely to rise, providing a much-needed boost to the economy. This is especially crucial for individuals who rely on the Chinese New Year festivities for a living, such as farmers, sellers, and artists.

People get about six weeks off school and work, which isn’t bad. So, let’s see what the celebrations bring this year. I already expect loud fireworks at midnight and stomachaches from overeating, but these are the joys of vacation, right?

Which celebration are you looking forward to?