WELCOME TO SHANGHAI Celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake Chinese New Year, one of the world’s most widely celebrated and culturally significant holidays, falls on 28 th January this year T he Chinese New Year is based on the lu- nar calendar, which follows the cycles of the moon rather than the sun, meaning it falls on a different date each year, usually between late January and mid-February. The 2025 lunar year begins on 29 th January, the feast lasts 15 days and culminates on 12 th February with the Lantern Festival, a vibrant night-time celebration in which families carry lanterns of all shapes, colours and sizes. Each Lunar New Year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals, each of which is paired with one of the five traditional elements, and 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake. So, what can you do in Shanghai during January? Despite the cold winter, many people still head out- side to feel the atmosphere of the approaching Chi- nese New Year. Read on to find out about the city’s most visited spots... Yu Garden Visiting Yu Garden is considered a must in Shang- hai in January, to experience the traditional Chinese New Year. Thousands of tourists are attracted by its Lantern Show that’s held around the festival. Colour- ful lanterns decorate every pillar, roof, corridor and banister in Yu Garden.
Hrana igra ključnu ulogu tokom kineske Nove godine, pri čemu je svako jelo odabrano zbog svog simboličkog značenja Food plays a key role during Chinese New Year, with each dish chosen for its symbolic meaning
Old City God Temple Located next to Yu Garden is the Old City God Tem- ple, which is also a must-visit spot in Shanghai dur- ing January, where you can attend the Lantern Show. Apart from decorated lanterns and various performanc- es, most people choose to dine at the time-cherished restaurants located here. The steamed buns, vegetable dumplings and Chinese rice pudding are all worth trying. Chongming Dongtan This nature reserve is the most visited place in Shanghai for migratory birds from Siberia each win- ter. If you visit in January, you will find various species of bird ready to greet you. Your best option is to head there for birdwatching in the early morning hours, when you can also fully enjoy the sunrise above the reeds. Hot Spring The best way to beat the winter bitterness is to bathe in a hot spring. When visiting Shanghai in Jan- uary, you may consider the Sun Island Resort located within the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao. This re- sort is famous for its natural hot spring, which con- tains mineral substances that can help moisturise the skin, ease fatigue and boost immunity.
Shanghai » Šangaj | 105
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator