Christmas In China Facts: What Is So Unique About A Chinese Christmas?
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Did you know that 'Jingle Bells' is an extremely popular Christmas song in China?
Christians account for only approximately 1% of the population in China, and most people only have a basic understanding of the holiday as compared to the rest of the world. Paper lanterns, figures of Santa Claus, and lights are installed by Chinese people who wish to celebrate Christmas.
As a result, Christmas is only commonly observed in major cities. Christmas trees, lighting, and other decorations can be found on the streets and in local shops in these large cities. After reading about the way Chinese people celebrate Christmas, also check Christmas in Italy facts and Australian Christmas facts.
How do most people in china celebrate Christmas?
Happy or Merry Christmas in Chinese is pronounced 'Sheng Dan Kuai Le ' in Mandarin and 'Seng Dan Fai Lok ' in Cantonese. Santa Claus is known in China as 'Sheng dan lao ren'.
The commercial Christmas is hugely celebrated in main cities, and Christmas has become a huge annual celebration. Christmas trees, lights, and decorations can be found on the streets and in department stores. From the end of November, you'll hear Christmas music blaring above the din of shoppers doing their Christmas shopping and looking for bargains throughout the holiday season.
Increasingly, young people enjoy Christmas in cities, and Christmas parties are becoming increasingly popular, and it's an occasion when young couples exchange gifts, similar to Valentine's Day.
Ice skating is accessible all year at indoor rinks all through Asia, but during the Christmas season, Weiming Lake at Peking University in Beijing and Houkou Swimming Pool Leisure Rink in Shanghai, which is a massive swimming pool that is converted into an ice rink in the winter, are two of the best places to ice skate in China.
Outside of Beijing, at Nanshan, you can go snowboarding.
Touring China At Christmas Time
Due to the fact that it is China's low season, tourists will find Christmas celebrations in most major cities, and domestic transportation and hotel room expenses are among the lowest of the year.
Travelers from other countries or where Christmas is celebrated decorate their houses to feel as at home. This time of year, many people are particularly homesick.
Christmas decorations are becoming more widely available in China, particularly in the big cities, where large malls and Christmas markets sell wrapping paper, cards, and other items, as well as international stores for Christmas ingredients.
Online shopping is becoming the most cost-effective way to have items delivered to your houses, such as a Christmas tree and decorations, or even a turkey.
Travelers host Christmas parties in their homes for friends and, in the case of teachers, in their schools. Most people consider a Christmas dinner with family, or at the very least friends if the family is far distant, to be extremely essential.
Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December ) are both considered a public holiday in Hong Kong. On certain days, all banks are closed. Boxing Day is a traditional British holiday. It's a day for after-holiday sales shopping and for employers to present gifts to their staff.
With its two days of public holiday, Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world to experience a festive Christmas ambiance during the holidays. The Hong Kong WinterFest was selected as one of the top 10 destinations in the world to spend Christmas by the American CNN television network.
Hong Kong is well-known for its spectacular Christmas displays, great dining, and holiday shopping.
Some of Beijing's younger generation looks forward to Christmas with bated breath. It is usually observed as a joyous time for social gatherings and gift-giving.
Most individuals, however, work on Christmas Day unless it falls on a weekend. In Beijing, Christmas is primarily commercial; it is a busy shopping season. At some of Beijing's premier hotels, special Christmas dinners are available, and clients can also be reminded of the actual meaning of Christmas at nearby churches.
Christmas Gifts In China
Gifts are not traditionally exchanged during Christmas in China, especially among foreigners. Santa Claus is frequently seen in malls handing out gifts to youngsters, however, these are generally unwrapped the very same day. It is not customary to wait until Christmas Day to open presents.
In the nation, an interesting ritual of giving apples has developed. As the syllable ping in the word 'apples' (苹果 píngguǒ /ping-gwor/) sounds like the Mandarin word 'peace,' which is used on Christmas Eve ('Peaceful Evening,') people give and eat apples, especially on Christmas Eve.
Apples are offered with Chinese phrases printed on the skin, such as 'love,' 'love hearts', and 'peace.'
Christmas cards can be tough to come by in China, although the situation is much better in big cities and online. Social messaging and e-cards are popular ways to send greetings to friends during the holidays.
Christmas Traditions In China
Christians in China, who make up only 1% of the population, celebrate Christmas religiously, perhaps even more so than in the West.
Whereas most Chinese people are unaware that Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ or that the (foreign) festivities have any religious significance, many Chinese Christians regard Christmas as the most important event of the year, surpassing even Chinese New Year, and begin planning songs and activities weeks in advance.
Christians in China commemorate the day by attending special church services, which are usually overflowing.
Choir performances are held on Christmas Eve, and the church puts on dance and theatrical productions. 'Peaceful Evening' (Ping'an Ye) is the name given to Christmas Eve in the Chinese translation of the carol 'Silent Night'.
Caroling in the streets is uncommon, but it is common in Christian homes, where the karaoke machine, which is extremely popular in China, is used.
Christmas Food In China
Traditional Christmas meals are available at several of the major hotels, as well as some western restaurants.
Many Christmas dishes, such as Christmas pudding, brussels sprouts, and turkey, are difficult to come by in China. However, online shopping (Chinese sites such as Taobao, rather than Amazon) and international stores in major cities may provide such items.
Many large supermarkets and retail companies, such as Walmart, may be able to assist in the preparation of a holiday meal. Lastly, in some Chinese cities, such as Beijing, there are Christmas markets.
Chinese Christmas Decorations
Only a small percentage of people get a Christmas tree. If folks do have a tree, it's usually made of plastic and adorned with paper chains, flowers, and lanterns (they might also call it a tree of light). The majority of people would see Christmas Trees in retail malls.
Christmas displays, trees, and lights can be found in malls, banks, and restaurants. With tree lighting rituals, large shopping malls assist to herald in Christmas in China and Hong Kong.
Santa hats and green and red outfits are frequently worn by store employees. It's not unusual to see Christmas decorations adorning the halls far into February or to hear Christmas music playing in cafés in July.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Christmas in China facts then why not take a look at Christmas in Russia facts, or Christmas in Ireland facts.
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Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".
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