Celebrate CNY in Hong Kong Like a Local: Experience Little-Known Festive Traditions and Not-to-be-missed Events

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With bustling flower markets, exciting city-wide events and beautiful festive displays galore staging throughout the entire festive period from day to night, Hong Kong is one of the Asian cities with the richest CNY ambience. Tourists looking to experience a celebration like no other should definitely pay a visit during Chinese New Year - and we can show you how to celebrate just like the locals do.

#1 Tuck into a Poon Choi Feast for Being Perfect in Every Way Also known as a “basin meal,"poon choiused to be a rather under-the-radar dish, confined mostly to rural villages.

It has seen an explosion of popularity in recent years, especially during the Chinese New Year period. An enormous basin is layered with ingredients and covered in a rich, savoury gravy.

The basin is then gently warmed up and eaten communally. There is much symbolism attached to the ingredients found inpoon choi, from pork that symbolises prosperity, to prawns that symbolise happiness.

Locals believe that by eating these auspicious foods, you can attract these positive attributes into your life.

Tourists to Hong Kong can partake in a traditionalpoon choifeast by joining extraordinary local tours to one of Hong Kong’s rural walled villages like those in Yuen Long or Sha Tau Kok. With distinct customs attached to these walled villages, you can expect a fascinating glimpse into the authentic way villagers celebrate the CNY!

#2 Make Yourself a Chinese New Year Pudding to Achieve New Heights
One of the most popular dishes to serve during Chinese New Yearis Chinese New Year pudding.

These delectable puddings come in both sweet and savoury varieties, and symbolise prosperity and attaining new heights in the new year. They’re typically made before the Chinese New