Before the Year of the Dragon, GDToday launched a Chinese New Year prize-winning activity to ask our readers to share their unforgettable moments in Guangdong, and we have received many entries.
Here are the winners: Bandana Singh, Priyasha Sharma 刘美希, Ben, Danny, Healther 叶, Gabriel.
The above participants will get one set or several sets of awards. Please look out for the parcels! Many thanks to all the participants for sharing your unique stories with us via photos or videos. Prizes will be sent by courier within 10 working days after we receive your contact information. Please contact us via email (newsguangdong@sina.com) or WeChat (ID: fera110) before February 29.
Here are some of the entries:
Bandana Singh (Indian):
Staying in China for the New Year turned out to be a pleasant culture shock for Bandana Singh, an Indian student at Shenzhen University.
"I had the opportunity to witness the areas being transformed into a New Year's atmosphere, with everything blanketed in red, from trees and lights to the streets. Beautiful decorations made of flowers and fruits added to the festive ambiance," said Singh. "The streets became wide and silent, with shops closing, and people rejoiced in the sounds of crackers and fireworks. The night became even more beautiful with pretty lights scattered everywhere, and happiness was felt through the roaring sound of fireworks. I enjoyed the New Year in every possible way and am grateful for the experience."
Priyasha Sharma (Indian):
Priyasha Sharma from India lives in Shenzhen now. "Every Chinese New Year, I would buy couplets and other decorations to stick at my home for good luck," said Sharma. "The Shenzhen New Year flower markets are the best as they have a variety of flowers. I would buy loads of them for my home."
Ben (Solomon Islands):
"It was back in my country that I heard about the Chinese New Year as one of the most spectacular New Years celebrated in the world, decorated with thousands of rich Chinese culture and traditions," said Ben from the Solomon Islands. He added that the Year of the Dragon was the first time he fully experienced the charm of the Chinese New Year since he arrived in China in 2021.
Ben visited Guangzhou's parks, cultural sites, and flower markets. "During the festive season, the streets were all decorated with red colors (I call it the red season because almost everything is red color). Dragon images were seen everywhere. Posters, flowers, and lanterns hung over the streets. The orange trees were full of red fruits. And colorful fireworks are everywhere around the city during the night," Ben recalled. His teachers greeted him with gifts such as a red envelope (红包), and he had a taste of local Chinese foods made specially for the festival.
"My participation in the GDToday CNY activities was an exciting one. We were tasked to hunt for items like flowers, intangible heritage, CNY foods, and many more," Ben added. "Next year I'm looking forward to spending and experiencing my CNY holiday with my Chinese friends in their villages up in the mountains, hoping to experience something more traditional and more spectacular."
Danny (Pakistani Canadian):
Danny celebrated the festival at Southern Medical University on the first day of the Chinese New Year and shared the festive vibes of the campus.
Healther Ye (Chinese):
Healther Ye made You Jiao (油角), a kind of traditional Chinese New Year snack in Guangdong, with relatives, saying that it's the taste of the Spring Festival and family.
Gabriel (Chinese):
Gabriel visited the 2024 Yuexiu Xihu Flower Market in Guangzhou before the Year of the Dragon. "I couldn't exactly tell apart all the varieties of those auspicious flowers," she said, "but it's truly an enjoyable experience to stroll in the flower market and buy some Chinese New Year goods to decorate my house."
Reporter: Holly
Editor: Nan, Monica, James
