The "Spring Festival" is the oldest and most important festival in China and in Western countries, it is more widely known as "Chinese New Year". The date of the festival changes every year and follows the lunar/solar calendar rather than the western calendar. Usually, the holiday falls somewhere between late January and mid-February and the public holiday lasts 3 days.

The Spring Festival was started as a celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of a new season and harvest. It was a final celebration before the hard work of planting and harvesting began.

In order to get ready for the present day celebrations, preparations start days before. Houses are cleaned, hair is cut and many people buy new, traditional Chinese clothing to wear.

Chinese New Year is also a very special time for families in China. A large family dinner is served on New Years Eve and the traditional dishes vary from region to region. Usually dumplings and puddings are found in most areas and like celebrations in the west, New Years day is often spent visiting family or friends.

If you are in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year period, take the time to watch the incredible fireworks display in Victoria Harbour (normally in the evening of the second day). Fireworks are said to drive away the evil spirits and if you are lucky they just might not find you again for the rest of the year!