Chongqing- "Staying put" is a key phrase to have a glimpse of the Chinese New Year or the Year of the Ox, as many people have chosen to stay where they work and celebrate the Spring Festival far away from home. Starting from February 11, the week-long Spring Festival holiday ended on Wednesday. Whether celebrating with families or not, Chinese people find their ways to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
The year 2021 is the Year of the Ox on the Chinese lunar calendar. (iChongqing/ Chen Yuling)
People who are lucky enough to celebrate the new year at home always had a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve with their relatives. Hot pot might be a special choice for Chongqing locals. If the elderly don't like spicy food, a two-flavor pot will be a must.
Two-flavor hot pot (Photo provided to iChongqing)
After the reunion dinner, family members usually gathered together to enjoy the Spring Festival gala at night. Generally speaking, seniors gave red envelopes to young people, especially to children, for best wishes.
Red envelopes (iChongqing/ Chen Yuling)
During the Spring Festival holiday, honoring ancestors was also a tradition nationwide. In addition, fireworks aren't allowed in most urban areas. If you visit a small town in rural areas during the celebration, you'll probably more people setting off fireworks and firecrackers.
Firecrackers (Photo provided to iChongqing)
While for other people who stay put, they find cultural and tourism ways to spend the seven-day holiday. Watching movies and visiting tourist destinations near working places were among the top choices.
Lugu Lake (Photo/ Wang Tian)
"This Spring Festival is the first holiday that I haven't celebrated it with my family, but I have visited many tourist attractions in Sichuan Province," said Wang Tian, a teacher from Gansu Province now working in southwestern China. "It's a special but still happy Spring Festival," she added.