Looking for the perfect place to celebrate Lunar New Year? Below are some of the best places to go for your celebrations, compiled by Cathay Pacific.
Lunar New Year, a global cultural festival uniting billions, marks the beginning of spring and a new year, blending tradition, family, and renewal. Spanning over 4,000 years, it is among the oldest honoured festivities with many gathering for feasts and celebrations, while lanterns and fireworks fill the sky with hope and prosperity. Lunar New Year is a significant festival that is widely celebrated across Asia, particularly in China and in countries such as South Korea and Vietnam. This year, based of the lunar calendar, we are celebrating the Year of the Dragon.
Starting on February 10th and lasting 15 days, countries across Asia and the wider world rejoice with large street displays and parades. In Hong Kong, Cathay will sponsor the Chinese New Year Night Parade for the 22nd consecutive year. Taking place in Tsim Sha Tsui, the parade hosts international performances by iconic groups and dragon-inspired floats for spectators to enjoy. In Kuala Lumpa visitors will see the iconic Thean Hou Temple, adorned with hundreds of red lanterns while spectacular firework displays dazzle at Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake.
Closer to home, London’s West End district welcomes traditional dragon and flying lion dances, fun-filled stage performances and martial arts displays.
Cathay Pacific connects travellers to Hong Kong and many destinations in Asia, consistently delivering premium experiences all year round. To help passengers celebrate the Lunar New Year, the airline has compiled a list of the top destinations to visit during the festivities in 2024:
Hong Kong, China
Lunar New Year is the perfect time to visit Hong Kong as it transforms into a vibrant hub of culture, highlighted by bustling flower markets drawing thousands annually. In 2024, fifteen markets will bloom across the city, with the largest in Victoria Park offering a vast array of gifts. The renowned Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade adds excitement to celebrations, while the Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival invites participants to share hopes for the new year.
Fly to Hong Kong from London Heathrow from £629.
China
Across China, celebrations are a plenty with events such as temple fairs, the Lantern Festival, and the Spring Gala Festival adding to the joyous atmosphere. Temple fairs, held in various cities, offer a glimpse into traditional culture with lively performances, tasty street food, and colourful art displays. As the Lunar New Year celebrations draw to a close, the Lantern Festival illuminates the night with a spectacular array of lantern displays, both in homes and public spaces, creating a magical ambiance of light and colour.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi welcomes the Lunar New Year, or ‘Tet,’ with extravagant festivities starting in early February. Spectacular firework displays light up parks across the city, including a dazzling show at Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy enchanting musical performances and captivating art displays before the dragon parade winds through Hanoi’s streets.
Fly to Hanoi from London Heathrow from £832.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur’s Lunar New Year celebration centres on the iconic Thean Hou Temple, adorned with hundreds of red lanterns. Visitors can enjoy cultural delights like the KLCC Park Firework Display and mesmerizing lion dance performances. Dive into the festivities at Petaling Street Night Market for traditional gifts and culinary delights in a lively atmosphere.
Fly to Kuala Lumpur from London Heathrow from £813.
Seoul, South Korea
For a more tranquil celebration, Seoul, South Korea, during Lunar New Year offers a quieter yet festive atmosphere. Explore smaller events across the city to welcome the Year of the Dragon, such as the Fortune Party at the Korean Folk Village, where visitors engage in folk games and enjoy traditional music and art.
Fly to Seoul from London Heathrow in February from £869.
Manchester & London, United Kingdom
This year, vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations take place across the UK. Manchester celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a legendary dragon parade alongside traditional red lanterns that lights up the streets and live performances. London’s West End hosts the biggest celebrations outside Asia with a colourful parade, featuring dynamic performances showcasing China’s cultural heritage.
Cathay Pacific is deeply rooted in excellence with award winning inflight entertainment and appetising food and beverage offerings including Michelin starred partnerships and plant forward menus. Cathay Pacific promises a journey that’s not only comfortable but also deeply meaningful and memorable, guiding passengers on a journey full of joy, tradition, and magic to celebrate Lunar New Year in 2024. Find out more at www.cathaypacific.com.
