Ring in the year of the dragon and experience the best of Chinese culture
By Kristina Urquhart
The grounds at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Photo by KK Law
Think big. That’s our advice for the auspicious year of the dragon, which kicks off Jan. 23 and lasts until Feb. 9, 2013. Dragons are symbols of power, good fortune and lofty ideas—and the world could use some of each after being encouraged to pause and reflect during the peaceful year of the rabbit in 2011.
The Chinese New Year adheres to a lunar and solar calendar and usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice; what follows are days of decorating, exchanging gifts and passing lucky red money packets. The festivities culminate in the spectacular two-hour Chinese New Year Parade on Jan. 29, which starts at the ornate Millennium Gate, an imposing entrance to North America’s third-largest Chinatown. Expect to see colourful lion dances and martial arts demonstrations making their way through the red-lamppost-lined neighbourhood. (more…)
Stay, Dine, Do
