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The celebration of the Chinese New Year around Little Bourke Street in Melbourne is an event of great significance for the Chinese-Australian community. The colorful Chinese New Year, Melbourne attracts a plethora of tourists every year from all parts of the world and it is an outstanding instance of Australia’s multicultural ambience. The Chinese Calendar: The Chinese tradition follows a singular calendar that began with Emperor Huan ti from 2600 B.C onwards. The Chinese lunar year is divided into 12 months of 29 or 30 days and the years are arranged in major cycles of 60 years. Each sequential year is named after one of the 12 animals and these 12-year cycles are endlessly repeated. The Chinese New Year falls anywhere between late January and the middle of February of the western calendar. 2007 is the year of pigs and the Chinese New Year in Melbourne would be celebrated on the 17th of February. The Customs: As the Chinese regard the color red as sacred, you would find the entire Chinatown in Melbourne flooded with this lurid color. People wear red clothes and give children money in red envelopes which is supposed to bring good luck. The God of Luck, dressed in bright garments, walks through the streets distributing fortune cookies and gold chocolate coins. Families reunite to enjoy a sumptous meal. Chinese New Year, Melbourne continues for 15 days and terminates with a colorful lantern parade and the legendary dragon dance. Lighting of firecrackers wrapped in red add to the merriment! Food for the Fête: There are various food items, eating of which on the New Year day in Mnelbourne is considered auspicious by the Chinese. If you are a part of Chinese New Year, Melbourne this year, try some of these food items to bring fortune to yourself: - Fish
- Dumplings
- Candies
- Turnips Activities: During the Chinese New Year, Melbourne, look out for: - Chinese Opera
- Karaoke Competitions
- Art and Craft Exhibitions
- Chinese Chess Competitions
- Lion Dances, Dragon Parades
- Calligraphy There are also various activities during the Chinese New Year in Melbourne especially meant for children. This year, watch a live stage performance by the Tian Jing Art Performance Group from overseas! Accomodation: Stay and dine at Melbourne’s Chinatown to be a part of this vibrant fiesta! The place provides plenty of accomodation choices for tourists. Here are some of them which you can access during the Chinese New Year in Melbourne: - Hotel Ibis Little Bourke St Melbourne
- Oakford Gordon Towers, Melbourne
- Somerset Gordon Place, Melbourne
- Rydges Hotel, Melbourne The Chinese New Year at Melbourne emanates the essence of Chinese culture. You can lose yourself in the revelry and become a part of this exciting festival! Touch the firedragon to bring good luck to your life and do not forget to eat a candy to ensure that you enter a “sweet” New Year filled with laughter and mirth!
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