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Hongbao: These "red envelopes" are presented as gifts to children and loved ones (even ayi's) during the New Year. While the red on the outside symbolizes good luck, they're packed with green, blues and reds. Ka-ching!

Chunlian: A temporary decoration placed on the entrances to homes containing happy, uplifting or hopeful messages about the coming year. The first line is on the right side, the second line on the left and a third line placed on the top. It is also common to hang an upside 'fu' in the middle which carries with it connotations of good fortune. Lito Zhang, native Beijinger, says, "It's very important that every year we decorate the house with chunlian. Equally important is to watch the CCTV Spring Festival TV show aired on Feb. 18. Every Chinese family does this while having dinner; it's a modern tradition."

Where To Use It

The Chinese Culture Club rediscovers lost New Year's traditions by taking over a small suburb just outside the city for a day of fun and festivities. Director Feng Cheng likens the annual outing to "something like shooting a film." Check it out on Monday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. RMB 150/per person. Tel: 6432-9341, or check www.chinesecultureclub.org. For those in the mood for a truly Chinese experience, we recommend you check out any one of the city's numerous temple fairs. These virtual carnivals are fun for the whole family, featuring all kinds of special games, foods, and performances. They typically begin Feb. 18 and last anywhere from a couple days to half a month. Admission doesn't run more than RMB 10, and parks are typically open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tel: 6714-4336 (Longtanhu Park); 6336-0067 (Baiyunguan) or 6354-4994 (Daguanyuan).

What NOT To Do

Do not sweep the floor for the entirety of the Spring Festival. If you do, all of your good luck and fortune for the coming year will be swept away.

It's unlucky to talk about death for the first few days of Spring Festival. Even if someone drops dead in front of you, change the topic of conversation.
On New Year's Eve, at the stroke of midnight, every door and window should be flung open to let the new year in and the old year out (as well as whatever that smell is coming from the fridge).

Make sure to get your hair cut before Spring Festival, because even getting a light trim during the holiday is considered bad luck. To avoid any problems, we recommend shaving your entire head before the New Year even begins.

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