Train, Eat, Drink, Dance…
Obviously China is the best place to celebrate Chinese New Year. That said, a flight to China, and the ensuing time away might not be suitable. Therefore we’ve created a our guide to the best Chinese New Year celebrations in the UK…
Dance with dragons in London
Probably the most famous location for celebrating Chinese New Year in the UK is London’s Chinatown. Nestled in the heart London’s West End it spreads between Gerrard Street and Shaftsbury Avenue marked by eye-catching Chinese arches.
London’s annual celebration will encompass dancing, traditional Chinese dragons and a show-stopping parade (29th January, from 10am).
If you’re planning a trip to celebrate and want to sample some of London’s finest Chinese restaurants you will need to book ahead.
The closest mainline station is Charing Cross, however it is a quick tube ride from Kings Cross St Pancras (Piccadilly Line) or Euston (Northern Line).
Light up the night in Manchester
Not to be outdone by London, Manchester’s Chinatown is of suitably big proportions, ranking the third largest in Europe.
As part of the Chinese New Year celebrations Manchester will be hosting the amazing and internationally acclaimed exhibition, The Lanterns of the Terracotta Warriors.
There will be traditional Chinese lion dancing (Thursday 26 January – Saturday 28 January at Market Street), accompanied by a Chinese street food market, a travelling light circus, live music and lots of fireworks.
The closest mainline stations are Salford Central and Manchester Piccadilly.
Explore ancient Chinese myths in Liverpool
Liverpool is lighting up to welcome the Chinese Year of the Rooster. Bold Street will be decorated with thousands of Chinese New Year lanterns, symbolic of reunion and joy.
There will be a specially created augmented reality trail and an illumination festival projected throughout Liverpool’s Chinatown telling the ancient story of Jingwei attempting to fill the Ocean (7.30pm to 8.30pm on January 27 and 28, and 5pm to 6pm on January 29).
The closest mainline station is Liverpool Central.
Fire-cracking festivities in Birmingham
Chinese New Year in Birmingham usually attracts around 30,000 people to the Chinese Quarter. So, don’t forget to make any restaurant reservations in advance!
Birmingham’s Chinatown stands out from the crowd as unlike most, which are marked by arches, it has a Pagoda.
This year’s celebrations are reportedly double those of previous years. festivities will include lion dancing, a fun fair, martial arts and Chinese magic demonstrations. This will all be topped of with a spectacular fire-cracker finale.
The closest mainline station is Birmingham New Street.
So, all that’s left to say is
Kung Hey Fat Choi!
(Happy New Year!)