China Chat

Discover the New Year's Eve traditions in China, family traditions and the history of how New Year's Eve and day became Spring Festival. We'll also talk about the meaning of each type of dumpling and the joy of fireworks. Feel free to say hi and offer any ideas, comments or requests by emailing us at: [email protected]

On today's show, we'll talk about the history, traditions and behind-the-scenes info of the Lion and Dragon Dances popular with people of every age. Contact us at: [email protected]

Let’s talk about Spring Festival - the biggest holiday in China each year. It’s the beginning of the lunar new year; full of family, celebrations, firecrackers and red paper! First we’ll look at the origin of Spring Festival and a sea monster named Nian. Contact us at:  [email protected]

During the major cold - the last solar term of the year - people prepare for the upcoming Spring Festival - the start of the new year and the biggest and most popular holiday in China. Get ready to hear about duck heads, chicken heads, deep cleaning the house, showers and haircuts. Chris also outlines her recipe for roast chicken, and tells the harrowing story of the chicken dinner that almost wasn't. Contact us at: [email protected] - we'd love the hear from you! 

We've reached the second to last solar term, "Minor Cold" which is often the coldest part of the year in China, despite its name. We'll talk about the phoenix and dragon symbols, their meanings and the delicious Laba Festival as we begin to wrap up our coverage of the 24 solar terms. 

It's time for Dong Zhi, the Winter Solstice. We'll talk about the traditions and delicious food of the solar term as well as the "Small New Year", "counting down the nines" and cows getting a one-day holiday. 

Da Xue, or Major Snow is the time for snowball fights, ice skating, preserving meat and enjoying delicious lamb soup to keep up your energy.

Minor snow means winter has really begun. It's time for all varieties of hot soup, and time to pickle vegetables and meat. We'll discuss how to stay warm, correct some jack-o-lantern errors and describe northern China's perfect snow for skiing or boarding. 

Li Dong is the start of winter which means ice and snow in the north and cooler temperatures in the south. We'll talk about dumplings again of course, as well as pumpkins and the most important phrase to learn in any language. Join us! 

"Frost Decends" is the transition from autumn to winter. You can satisfy your sweet tooth with persimmons and eat some roasted chestnuts to keep warm in the chilly breezes.