China

Welcome to the Year of the Ox

Published February 12, 2021 | By Clark Norton

Today (February 12 in 2021) is the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year — also known as the Spring Festival, which lasts for 15 days.

This is the Year of the Ox, the second sign of the Chinese Zodiac. Legend has it that when the Jade Emperor summoned the presence of a dozen animals, he declared that the one that arrived first would head the 12-sign Zodiac. The ox was kind enough to give the rat a ride, but the tricky rat hopped off to cross the finish line first. Thus the ox goes second.

According to the Travel China Guide, the ox is the symbol of diligence, persistence, and honesty, and people born under that sign are industrious, cautious, faithful and always glad to offer help — even to rats.

For baby boomers, ox sign years are 1949 and 1961. So we wish oxen readers an… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, China, cultural travel, Festivals, Holidays | Tagged Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year 2021, Chinese New Year do's and dont's, Chinese New Year superstitions, Chinese New Year taboos, Year of the Ox | 1 Comment

Welcome to the Year of the Rat!

Published January 22, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Chinese New Year parade features the dragon dance.

Chinese New Year parades are always colorful, noisy, and popular in much of the world.

Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival), starts on January 25 this year and continues for 15 days.

It’s the most important festival time of the year in China — when millions of Chinese travel to their home villages and cities to be with family or friends for holiday reunions. (We can only hope the coronavirus now threatening China is safely contained and allows for such visits this year.)

This is the Year of the Rat, the first of the 12 rotating Chinese Zodiac signs. The mythological rat is said to have used his cleverness to trick his way to the top of the zodiacal order — and, though more maligned today, is considered a symbol of wealth and fertility in traditional Chinese culture. The rat also symbolizes getting a fresh start.

Chinese New… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, China, cultural travel, Holidays | Tagged Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year 2020, Year of the Rat | 2 Comments

Welcome to the Year of the Pig!

Published January 30, 2019 | By Clark Norton

Time for the pig to squeal. Image from China Travel Guide.

Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival), starts on February 5 this year and continues for 15 days.

It’s the most important festival time of the year in China — when millions of Chinese travel to their home villages and cities to be with family or friends for holiday reunions.

One of the world’s most celebrated festivals, Chinese New Year is also a star occasion in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and some other Asian countries as well as Chinatowns around the world. And in recent years, the celebrations in New York, London, Vancouver, Sydney and other overseas cities have spread out of Chinatowns.

Parades with dragon and lion dances and fireworks, family feasts, and, on the final day, a Lantern Festival illuminated by red lanterns are all traditional.

This is the Year of… Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Baby boomer travel, China, cultural travel, Festivals | Tagged Chinese culture, Chinese food, Chinese New Year, Year of the Pig | 2 Comments

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.