Happy New Year! 新年快乐! Welcome to the year of the dog!

The most significant holiday in China is the start of the lunar new year and the largest annual mass migration in the world. Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese families return home to spend the week together. They exchange red envelopes with money and feast together. Though different regions have varying customs, most include decorating windows and doors and lighting fireworks. There are also parades and celebrations worldwide.

So what do the foreigners living in China do? Go on vacation of course! Many people spend the holiday with Chinese friends and partners and get to learn first hand about a tradition and others take off to explore the world.   With one week off it’s a great opportunity to explore Southeast Asia, Japan, or go home and see family. One of the best things about living in Asia is the opportunity to explore a part of the world with rich and diverse landscapes and cultures.  If you are in China now, tell us what you’re up to and if you are still on the way there, start thinking where you want to go next year, and again, 新年快乐!