It’s the time of year when snow falls and plum blossoms perfume the
city with a divine fragrance. As we witness another cycle of seasons
coming to an end, Chinese New Year is upon us. Also known as the Spring
Festival, it is the most important Chinese holiday with a long history
spanning thousands of years. Celebrations are typically carried out
between the eighth day prior to the Lunar New Year’s Day to the
fifteenth day after. During the time, Chinese people around the world
reunite with families and friends, and hold a wide spectrum of
activities to welcome the arrival of a brand new start.
After a year of hard work, Hangzhou people enjoy spending the Chinese
New Year holiday in the pleasant company of good food, entertainment
and relaxation. Speaking of food, the quintessential Chinese New Year
homemade eats include laba congee, braised crucian carp, and braised
pork. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, after a sumptuous family dinner, many
locals like to honour the Hangzhou tradition of visiting Linyin Temple
or Jingci Temple. In the sound of the chiming bells, crowds with burning
incenses and candles light up the temples throughout the night, praying
for a year of health and fortune for their loved ones. The most popular
spot in town to soak up the celebratory atmosphere is Hefang Street by
Wushan Square, where the Chinese New Year’s market takes place annually.
There, local entertainers perform traditional dances and percussions,
shops offer various goods, while street food venders cook up delicious
snacks and dishes. Finally, when the night falls, people gather together
at the square and let off fireworks, sharing their hopes and joy.
So why not bring family to Hangzhou this holiday season for a unique
Chinese New Year experience? Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
has prepared an array of specials. At The Spa, get some well-deserved
pampering to enter the New Year refreshed. Submerge in the Lotus Milk
Bath with the company of La Colline therapeutic candles from
Switzerland. The divine fragrance of essential oils will melt away all
weariness and stress from the past year. Then, enjoy the Warm Candle
Massage and Heated Stones Massage, which will treat every inch of skin
with delicate care and give a beautiful glow. After the Spa, sample the
health-preserving seasonal menu at the Hotel’s famed Jin Sha restaurant,
which has made it into the prestigious list of “Best 50 Restaurants in
China” by Food & Wine Magazine. Must-tries include double bamboo
shoot with aged duck, slow cooked wagyu beef cheek with truffle juice,
and braised winter bamboo and mushroom. Packed with rich and authentic
flavours, these mouth-watering treats will tantalize taste buds while
boosting seasonal wellbeing.
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