Chinese New Year in Phuket is set to ring in on January 22, 2023
With several days of festivities, firecrackers, food and fun to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. With its large ethnic Chinese population descending from migrants to the island in the past, Chinese New Year in Phuket is an important annual event.
Also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year takes place on the second New Moon after the winter solstice. This means that the first day of the Lunar New Year can occur anytime between January 21 and February 20.
Although commonly called Chinese New Year in the West, millions of people celebrate the Lunar New Year all around the world, including Thailand and especially in Phuket where many people have Chinese ancestry.
Zodiac Calendar
There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each sign is named after an animal, and each animal has its own unique characteristics. In 2023, we ring in the Year of the Rabbit. Do you know what Zodiac sign you are? https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/calculator.htm
Welcoming the New and the Good
The New Year celebration is centered around removing the bad and the old, and welcoming the new and the good. It’s a time to worship ancestors, exorcise evil spirits and pray for good harvest.
Families gather to sweep out their homes, do merit-making activities and prepare feasts to clear out the old and make way for a more fortunate year ahead. Younger family members may eagerly await receiving an “Ang Pao” – a red envelope with money inside – from their elders. Firecrackers are set off to ward off any bad spirits and give a fresh start to the new year.
Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Phuket
Though Chinese New Year is not an official public holiday in Thailand, it’s a time of gathering and celebration for families. Red lanterns are strung up all around Phuket Town and at the local Chinese shrines. The streets of Phuket Old Town and its Sino-Portuguese heritage houses look especially magical this time of year.
Phuket City typically combine Chinese New Year celebrations with the annual Old Phuket Festival. Many colorful shows – including a dragon dance and traditional dances – take place. It’s common to see a dragon dance in shopping malls, hotels and even in popular tourist streets.
Another exciting place to celebrate Chinese New Year’s in Phuket is Wat Chalong. Wat Chalong is not a Chinese temple, however every year, it hosts a large festival lasting ten days or more during the Chinese New Year. The temple grounds transform into a big open-air carnival with hundreds of food vendors, clothing stores, plant sellers and some funfair games and rides. Each evening there are live shows on the outdoor stage, and the main temple hall is busy with families making merit.
Phuket hosts one of the most exciting Chinese New Year festivities in all of Southeast Asia. Coupled with the sun, beaches, fantastic food and activities, relaxing in the comfort of a private pool villa with friends and family will make your holiday a very special time. Contact us for further information about renting a private pool villa during Phuket’s Chinese New Year https://baanwise.com/contact-us/