Southern Messengers: How South Asians view Chinese new year

Editor's note:

In December 2024, “Chinese New Year—Social Practices for Celebrating the Traditional New Year” (hereinafter referred to as “Chinese New Year” or “Chunjie”) was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking the occasion when Chinese New Year truly became a “World Chinese New Year.”

The year 2025 witnessed the first “World Intangible Cultural Heritage Version of Chinese New Year.” During this special Year of the Snake celebration, friends from South Asian countries such as Nepal and Pakistan shared their stories about Chinese New Year.

 

Makhdoom Babar experiences the Chinese New Year.

“Chinese New Year is a memorable journey for me”

Text by Makhdoom Babar

During the chilly winter of 2004, I visited China for exchange as a Pakistani media professional. At that time, my understanding of the Chinese New Year was confined to the fragmentary descriptions in books: red lanterns, family reunion dinner, and the sound of firecrackers. When friends advised me to stay in Beijing to experience the Chinese New Year, I even feared that the deserted atmosphere, akin to an “empty city,” might disappoint me. However, this festive journey spanning two decades ultimately taught me that the Chinese New Year is not only a cultural gene embedded in the blood of Chinese people, but also a golden bond connecting China and Pakistan.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional celebration in China. Rooted in centuries old customs, it marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and symbolizes new beginnings, family reunions, and prosperity. Celebrated with grand festivities, including feasts, fireworks, and dragon dances, it is a time for people to honor their ancestors, wish for good fortune, and welcome the arrival of spring. The festival typically lasts 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.

I had always heard fascinating stories about the Chinese New Year before. Back in 2004, during my visit to China, I had the chance to witness this grand occasion firsthand. At the time, I was staying with my best friend, a senior diplomat at the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing. Initially, I had planned to leave China before the festival began.

However, my friend insisted that I stay and experience the festivities. He assured me it was something I shouldn’t miss. Reluctantly, I agreed. A few days before the festival, I traveled to Shanghai for a media meeting. My Chinese assistant, Miss Yu Chun Lei, or Jessie as she preferred to be called, invited me to her hometown in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, just a few hours’ drive from Shanghai. I accepted her invitation and joined her and her cousin on this trip. The small village was alive with energy and preparations for the New Year. I could feel the excitement in the air as families worked together to clean their homes, cook traditional dishes, and set up decorations.

At that evening when I was back to Kunming, my friend from the embassy decided to take me out for a drive. What I saw that night completely changed my perception of the Chinese New Year. The city came alive with dazzling fireworks and the sound of crackers. Families and friends who had stayed in Beijing filled the streets, celebrating with unmatched enthusiasm. It was a mesmerizing sight, and I realized that the idea of everyone leaving big cities like Beijing or Shanghai for their hometowns wasn’t entirely accurate. For many, these mega cities were their hometowns, and people from surrounding areas often traveled to them for the festivities.

My friend and I were in awe of the scale of the celebrations, and we both predicted that one day this festival would become a global attraction. Vibrant laser shows, colorful street decorations, and other creative activities became the new norm.

Fast forward to 2015, I had the privilege of experiencing the Chinese New Year again, this time in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, where my friend was serving as Consul General. A decade had passed, and I noticed remarkable changes. China’s economy had grown significantly, and there was a visible rise in modernity and affluence. Young couples and families were now traveling to exotic destinations, both within China, like Hainan’s Sanya and Yunnan, and abroad to places like the Philippines and Malaysia, to celebrate the holiday.

Back in Pakistan, the growing cultural exchange between our two nations, especially after initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has led to a deeper understanding of Chinese traditions. Today, we even publish small notices in newspapers and social media platforms before the Chinese New Year, reminding locals about the celebrations. For instance, in Islamabad, we inform residents not to be alarmed if they hear firecrackers or see festivities at night—it’s just our Chinese brothers and sisters celebrating their culture.

Over the years, Pakistanis have increasingly joined in these celebrations, whether in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi. This year holds even more significance for my family. My son, currently studying at the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), has been selected as the first Pakistani student to perform at the famous CCTV New Year Gala. It’s a proud moment for us, and our entire family, spread across Canada, Pakistan, and other parts of the world, will be tuning in to watch him live.

The Chinese New Year has become more than just a cultural event—it’s a bridge bringing the people of Pakistan and China closer together. This festival, along with initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC, has played a vital role in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the bond between our nations.

Long live the friendship between Pakistan and China! Wishing the Chinese nation a joyous and prosperous Year of the Snake in 2025.

(The author Makhdoom Babar is the President and Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail Pakistan & founder of Pak-China Media Friendship Association.)

 

The Chinese New Year is marked in Nepal.

“I enjoy Chinese New Year in Nepal”

Text by Xia Chenchen

Nepal is a country with extremely profound and richly diverse cultural heritage. The religious beliefs here present a scene of blooming diversity. The majority of the population adheres to the time-honored Hinduism and Buddhism. Temples dot the streets and alleys, and the melodious chanting of scriptures often lingers in the air. In recent years, the number of Christian believers has also been gradually increasing, injecting new vitality into this ancient land. In addition, there is a Muslim community that lives in harmony on this land, preserving their unique beliefs and customs.

Precisely because of this, various religious festivals are highly valued in Nepal. Whenever a festival arrives, people dress up in their finest attire, singing and dancing in celebration. We actively participate as well, immersing ourselves in the unique charm of different cultures. Among these numerous festivals, the Spring Festival, the most important traditional festival in China, also holds a special place here.

As the Spring Festival approaches, the streets and alleys of Nepal are immediately enveloped in a thick festive atmosphere. The air seems to be filled with the joy and celebration. Take this year for example, a professional lion-dance troupe from Shenzhen showcased their extraordinary skills. Accompanied by the rousing beats of gongs and drums, their vivid lion-dance performances were bound to draw cheers from the audience, presenting a stunning visual feast.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy meticulously planned and held a series of celebration activities, demonstrating the profoundness and breadth of traditional Chinese culture to the Nepalese people. The Overseas Chinese Associations and various other organizations also held a rich variety of events, such as traditional Spring Festival temple fairs and cultural exhibitions, unreservedly presenting the unique charm of the Chinese Spring Festival.

Our hospital was no exception. To welcome the Spring Festival, all the medical staff worked together to decorate every corner of the hospital with great care. In the lobby, auspicious Chinese knots were hung high. Their bright red color and exquisite weaving craftsmanship complement each other, attracting every patient who came for treatment to stop and admire. On both sides of the entrance, neatly posted couplets with antithetical phrases and auspicious meanings were pasted, exuding the fragrance of ink and conveying New Year’s blessings.

In addition, we have placed some small Chinese-style ornaments, such as paper-cuttings and red lanterns, in each department, immersing the entire hospital in a strong Spring Festival atmosphere. During that period, wherever I went, I was warmly stopped by Nepalese friends asking about the arrival of the New Year. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation. I always responded with a smile and patience, “It’s coming soon. The end of this month!”

Hearing my answer, some of them clapped their hands in excitement, while others curiously inquired about various Spring Festival customs. Seeing their enthusiastic expressions, my heart was filled with deep emotions. These seemingly simple questions not only drew me closer to my Nepalese friends but also allowed me to truly feel everyone’s anticipation for the Spring Festival and their strong interest in Chinese culture. In Nepal, the Spring Festival is no longer just a festival for the Chinese. It has gradually become a joyous bond that transcends national boundaries and connects different cultures.

(The author Xia Chenchen is a Chinese doctor who is one of the founders of the Overseas Friendship international Hospital in Nepal and who has lived in Nepal for almost ten years.)

“My understanding of connections between Spring Festival and Dashain”

Text by Birat Anupam

Until 3 December 2024, Chinese New Year was primarily celebrated by Chinese communities in China and abroad. However, on 4 December 2024, the festival was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This designation not only reaffirmed its significance as a traditional celebration for Chinese people worldwide but also elevated its status as a shared cultural treasure of humanity.

UNESCO, dedicated to fostering peace and cooperation through education, science, and culture, emphasized the festival’s role in promoting cultural diversity and intergenerational dialogue. To date, China has 44 entries on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with Chinese New Year being one of the most emblematic.

As a citizen of Nepal—China’s neighboring country—and someone who has traveled extensively in China, I have seen some Nepali parallels with Chinese New Year, such as Nepal’s biggest festival “Dashain”. Both festivals center around family reunions, bringing together relatives from distant locations. Mythologically, both traditions involve stories of defeating evil forces, and both prominently feature the color red as a symbol of luck and prosperity.

During the Chinese New Year, children receive red envelopes (hongbao) containing money, while in Dashain, red tika (a paste applied to the forehead), and monetary gifts are customary. Additionally, both festivals follow lunar or traditional calendars, resulting in varying dates on the Gregorian calendar each year. Culturally, both celebrations span 15 days, though official holidays typically cover only half that period.

My understanding of these connections’ stems from reading travelogues and articles by Nepali writers who have explored Chinese culture. While I have not personally experienced Chinese New Year in China, I have attended New Year-themed gatherings hosted by Chinese friends in Nepal. At these events, I sampled traditional dishes such as hot pot, dumplings, fish, mushrooms, and rice cakes—a culinary journey that deepened my appreciation for the festival’s communal spirit.

In China, I participated in the Mid-Autumn Festival, where family gatherings, mooncakes, and a three-day holiday created a warm, festive atmosphere. Notably, every Chinese friend I celebrated with, emphasized the unparalleled importance of Chinese New Year. A memorable moment occurred at Beijing Capital International Airport—a Chinese friend en route to Singapore gifted mooncakes to me and my East Timorese companions, remarking, “This is our second most important festival. You must also experience our Chinese New Year someday.” This simple gesture underscored the profound cultural value of New Year in China.

The UNESCO recognition on 4 December 2024 marks a historic milestone, cementing Chinese New Year’s status as a global heritage worthy of celebration. As someone who cherishes cultural exchange, I rejoice in this achievement and hope it inspires deeper cross-cultural understanding.

(The author Birat Anupam is a journalist from Nepal.)

 

Raj Kumar Khadka spends a Chinese New Year with friends in China's Yiwu city.

“Yiwu: My story with Spring Festival”

Text by Raj Kumar Khadka

Before Chinese New Year (Chunjie in Chinese), red lanterns in the shape of balls and urns have been hung on every tree in the Yiwu city! Every household is filled with festive joy. This atmosphere is almost like the main festival of Nepal, “Dashain”.

Here in China, people celebrate Chunjie with aspirations for health, progress, and prosperity. Personally, I was eager to complete pending tasks and celebrate with Chinese friends. I received an invitation from the Municipal Foreign Affairs Department of Yiwu City to celebrate the New Year with foreign friends.

Despite the hectic workload demanding personal oversight, the prestigious invitation left no room for hesitation. Indeed, Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, epitomizes international inclusivity—hosting expatriates from over 100 countries, with 70% being global traders and the remainder comprising professionals and long-term residents.

Municipal authorities actively foster this multiculturalism, with officials explicitly encouraging: “If your festivals are coming, please invite us too! If you need any help, feel free to tell us.”

It shows that the Chinese government and the Chinese people want to have very close, friendly, and brotherly relations with the outside world. This makes them want to understand and appreciate the language and culture of others more deeply, while also desiring to comprehend the values and beliefs embedded in their own language and culture, which spans over 5000 years.

It also shows that they are striving to preserve the roots of their own language and culture, while also embracing and preserving diverse world cultures and festivals. As affection for each other's languages, cultures, and festivals grows, the bonds of friendship between those countries will also strengthen.

Indeed, this could be the very reason why foreigners such as we are invited to participate in such festivals! That is why we do not feel any difference whether we live abroad or in our own country. I was also happy when I received the invitation on New Year’s Eve. So, with a smiling face, I arrived at the venue a few minutes early! The deputy mayor of Yiwu City and other officials were there to welcome guests like us.

The program began with a welcome speech, a congratulatory speech, and music and dance, followed by a photo session in Chinese costumes. Similarly, there were enjoyable activities like ring tosses for prizes, arrow shooting at bamboo targets for rewards, and cracking conch shells in hopes of finding pearls.

We also returned home happily after organizing all the competitions, songs, and music, and exchanging good wishes. Not only did I not get home in the evening, but I also received a call from the monk at Futian Temple on my mobile. He said, “We want to make porridge for Chinese New Year and deliver it to places where the elderly live. If you want to participate, you are welcome!” I feel so happy when I participate in such cultural activities. Moreover, this temple is dedicated to Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and I am a native of the country where Buddha was born! So, I gathered 10 foreign friends, and we went there together.

There were eight different types of beans. We learned how to cook them slowly. The beans were soaked in large pots, and we took turns cooking them. There were also many Chinese who had come to learn about Buddhist knowledge. We exchanged good wishes for the upcoming New Year.

This Buddhist temple is located in a large park in the center of Yiwu city. The Yiwu government has set a goal of attracting 10 million tourists annually within a few years. Currently, it is estimated that 650,000 visitors are coming annually.

I was just leaving Futian Temple when I received a call from the secretary of the “Ji Ming Shan” community where I live— “We are holding a program tomorrow to exchange greetings with foreigners living in our area as a celebration of New Year. There will also be a dinner. Please come!”

The next day, people from many countries, including me, gathered there and exchanged greetings. There, we learned how to write Chinese characters beautifully. We wore red clothes, wrote Chinese greeting words on red paper, and pasted them on the walls.

The Chinese are celebrating this New Year as the Year of the Snake. The year before last was the Year of the Loong. In various snake pictures, snakes with golden beads in their mouths can be seen, symbolizing that this year, 2025, will be a year full of wealth or a “year of golden beads.” Therefore, both the Chinese friends here and the foreigners living here are very eager to welcome this Chinese New Year.

In Nepal, some communities also celebrate this festival as the “Sonam Lhochhar” festival. In their language, “Sonam” means “year” and “Lhochhar” means “new.” Thus, not only the friendly country of China but also some communities in Nepal celebrate this festival as the New Year. In this sense, Nepal and China share a close friendship and similar cultural traditions.

On behalf of all Nepalis, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to our Chinese friends living in the country and abroad, as well as to all Nepalis who celebrate this festival as Sonam Lhochhar in Nepal. Happy New Year of the Snake once again!

(The author Raj Kumar Khadka is a Nepali who has been doing business in Yiwu, China for many years.)

“Chinese New Year in my eyes”

Text by Harish Chandra Shah

My name is Harish, and I am a Nepalese doctor with a deep-seated dedication to traditional Chinese medicine. My connection with the Chinese New Year can be traced back to the years between 1977 and 1984. During that time, I was studying for an undergraduate degree in traditional Chinese medicine and a master’s degree in acupuncture at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

My studies and life in Beijing provided me with the chance to deeply immerse myself in the culture of the Chinese New Year. I traveled to other places with my classmates twice to celebrate this festive occasion. The celebrations were vibrant and grand, as people who had worked away from home returned to their families, shared jiaozi, and enjoyed lavish New Year’s Eve dinners, while every household set off firecrackers. The warmth and joy of those moments remain unforgettable to me for a lifetime.

After returning to Nepal in 1984, I saw that the Chinese community in Nepal, including embassy personnel, Chinese merchants, and entrepreneurs, were unable to return to China during the Chinese New Year for various reasons, and I keenly sensed their intense homesickness. As a result, in 1986, I organized the Chinese New Year Gala for the first time. I invited both Nepalese and Chinese friends to take part. I even made a special arrangement for a yuanxiao-eating segment. This gala was an overwhelming success, and major Nepalese newspapers covered the event.

Since then, I have celebrated this most important traditional Chinese festival with my Chinese friends every year. I have also written a large number of articles introducing the friendly relations between Nepal and China as well as China's development in various fields such as the economy and culture. Among these articles, there are many introductions to Chinese traditional festivals like the Chinese New Year. My goal is to raise awareness among Nepalese people about China and its rich culture.

The year 2025 is the Year of the Dragon. This Chinese New Year holds great significance as, on December 4, 2024, the Chinese New Year was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This not only serves as an official recognition of the Chinese New Year's importance but also underlines the crucial role that intangible cultural heritage plays in promoting sustainable development.

Among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, the snake symbolizes transformation, rebirth, and development. It is closely linked to wisdom, creativity, and auspicious fortune. People born in the Year of the Snake are often characterized as enigmatic, intelligent, shrewd, proficient in communication, resolute, and brimming with affection. To greet the Year of the Snake, we have organized a series of activities.

Nepal and China enjoy close cultural exchanges, and some of their festivals bear remarkable similarities. In Nepal, there is an ethnic group known as the Tamang, and their major festival shares resemblances with the Chinese New Year. Cultural exchanges serve as a bridge that enables the people of the two countries to gain a more profound understanding of one another.

In conclusion, the Chinese New Year stands as one of the most significant traditional festivals in China. It embodies the Chinese civilization’s unwavering pursuit of peace and harmony. The advent of the Chinese New Year not only ushers in the beginning of the Lunar New Year but also indicates the end of winter, symbolizing people's longing and best wishes for a fresh life.

(The author Harish Chandra Shah is the Chairman of the Nepal-China Cultural and Educational Association.)

Translated by YNTA