The Place to be for Lucky Auspices and a Chinese Cultural Immersion!
A large percentage of Thailand citizens has Chinese origins or moved there in the last decades. These people keep speaking Chinese at home and hold on to many traditions such as celebrating the lunar New Year.
Many Chinese tourists are on holiday in February and come to Thailand to celebrate in great pomp the most important feast of the year. Red is the auspicious colour in China and for this reason you will find it everywhere in Chang Mai too during this special period of the year!
Celebrations last around one week and my accommodation was right close to the Warorot Market, the heart of Chinatown, where you can find everything you need from clothes to accessorises, flowers, furniture and food stalls.
It is a good idea to come here with empty stomachs before dinner time to try out all Chinese seafood street food and delicacies and have the time to have a look at the stalls when it’s less crowded. It is the perfect occasion to make good deals, witness dragon and lions shows, Chinese dances and King Fu fighting.
The entry of this neighbourhood is signalled by a big red arch welcoming you into a completely different country with night markets, food stalls and red lanterns. Locals decorate their homes and shops with the typical Chinese red lanterns, creating a unique atmosphere. This is definitely the place to be in February if you are looking for cultural exhibitions, musical performances, decorated floats and good vibes.
We also witnessed a beauty competition taking place: little girls were wearing their best traditional costumes, and make-up showing off their singing and dancing talents like true stars! A good occasion to discover local music and ceremony dresses. If you are planning to joint he party next year, make sure you book your accommodation plenty of time in advance!
Check out my article about the best thing to see in Chiang Mai, book a Traditional Thai Massage or a day trip to the nearby National Park or Elephant Sanctuaries!
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