Buying New Year’s goods in old streets, visiting gardens with your family, admiring all kinds of lanterns... In less than a week, the Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese festival, is coming, and the New Year’s spirit is in full swing on the streets across Taiwan.

　"Practice before the new year!"

　　The Spring Festival is approaching, and many couples are bringing their significant other home for the first time to celebrate the New Year. They are inevitably worried about misunderstandings caused by different customs and habits. Taiwanese media reported that a Taiwanese female blogger recently shared on social media that she brought her mainland husband back to Taiwan for the New Year for the first time. She specially made a teaching PPT on the precautions and practiced them with her husband before departure. The cute interaction between the two triggered netizens Hot discussion.

Taking her mainland husband back to Taiwan for the Chinese New Year for the first time, a Taiwanese female blogger recently made a PPT for her husband to pay attention to. The cute interaction between the two sparked heated discussions among netizens. Picture from social media

　　According to this blogger, the first step is to learn auspicious words for the Year of the Dragon, such as "Dragon is happy for you" (Hokkien: all for you) and "Longhua Fugui" (homophone: prosperity, wealth and honor). Secondly, I shared the “secret” of sending red envelopes to different people, and at the same time, I did not forget to trick my husband. I specially reminded my wife that the amount should not be less, and she can also give high-quality bags. Then the blogger introduced Taiwan’s traditional New Year products, including “Ma Zong” which symbolizes longevity, and “Shengren” which means having a child early. Finally, she also reminded that when playing cards during the Chinese New Year, you should pay attention to the fact that the terminology of playing cards in Taiwan is slightly different from that in the mainland. For example, two cards with the same number are usually called a "pair" in the mainland, but they are called "embryos" in Taiwan ( According to reports, it is taken from the English homophony of Pair).

　　After the video was released, many Taiwanese netizens continued to dig holes, "Taiwanese men have been taught to buy bags for their wives since childhood" and "and odd numbers are unlucky, so you have to give even numbers." Some netizens also praised the blogger's recommended New Year products, "Ma Zhi It’s really delicious” “I buy it every year”.

Busy shopping on New Year's street

　　On the must-do list before the holiday, shopping for new year goods is the highlight. As a representative market, Taipei New Year Street has attracted many citizens and tourists since it opened on January 26. This year, Taipei New Year Goods Street is joined by 10 business districts, including Dihua Street Commercial District, Rongbin Shopping Street, Taipei Underground Street, and Menga Night Market Commercial District, focusing on a "one-stop" shopping experience of New Year goods, food ingredients, life, and enjoyment. For the convenience of citizens, the local area has also opened free shuttle buses for the first time.

Taipei New Year Goods Street opened on January 26, and many citizens and tourists came to buy new year goods. Picture from China Times News Network

　　In the old Dihua Street business district, various dragon-shaped inflatable devices and colorful cloth strips and lanterns are hung on the block. Various New Year goods such as candies and snacks, baked meat jerky, peanuts and melon seeds are also dazzling. There are also activities to catch red envelopes and write letters. Spring Festival couplets and other activities. Don’t want to experience crowds? You can also purchase through the online section.

　　Outside of Taipei, New Year shopping streets in various counties and cities also open their markets before the holiday. Hualien New Year Goods Street has gathered 90 stalls this year and planned four major areas including the high-quality agricultural and fishery specialty products area and the New Year souvenir area, allowing folks to buy all the necessities for the festival at once. The Chiayi City Central Plaza New Year Goods Street launches a variety of discounted New Year products, and provides limited-edition red envelopes, lucky bags, and Spring Festival couplets for citizens to collect.

　　Visit the garden and enjoy the lanterns to welcome the New Year

　　After 10 years of absence, the giant yellow duck once again "swam" into Kaohsiung's Love River Bay, and the number of visitors reached one million in the first few days after the opening. This year Kaohsiung City holds a "Winter Amusement Park". In addition to watching the two ducklings staying at Love River Bay, Piers 16 to 18 of Kaohsiung Port have created air-cushion amusement facilities, a carousel, a small train, a children's theater troupe and circus interactive experience activities. There is also a night light show and market, allowing various activities and cute ducks to accompany children of all ages to celebrate the Spring Festival.

After 10 years of absence, the giant yellow duck "swam" into Kaohsiung's Love River Bay again on January 27. The number of visitors reached one million in the first few days after the opening. Picture from China Times News Network

　　As for the Lantern Festival, the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival is hosted by Tainan City (with two exhibition areas: Anping Lantern District and High-Speed ​​Rail Lantern District). The Anping Lantern District was the first to turn on the lights on the evening of February 3, and there were drones performing various patterns such as golden dragons. On the same day, the Lantern Festival organized by the Nantou County Government also opened at the County Convention and Exhibition Center. In addition to the main lantern of "Long Lai" with a height of about 13 meters, there are also auxiliary lanterns with the theme of the famous cartoon character "Malay Tapir". .

On February 3, the Nantou County Lantern Festival opened at the Convention and Exhibition Center. The main lantern "Long Lai Luck" was 13 meters high, attracting many citizens to stop and watch. Picture from China Times News Network

　　For people who love furry children, visiting the zoo area is also a great option during vacation. New Taipei City held the "Amphibians and Reptiles New Year Special Exhibition" at Maobao Life Education Park, inviting professional veterinarians and breeders to bring tortoises, lizards, ball pythons, geckos and other amphibians and reptiles to share on the spot. Caregiving experience. The city's Animal Protection and Epidemic Prevention Department stated that "dragons" are versatile. In response to the Year of the Dragon and taking into account the new trend of modern people raising amphibious and reptile pets, this time the theme of the New Year event is reptiles, which are also versatile. , let the public understand and care about the current situation of amphibians and reptiles in Taiwan, and spread the concept of animal protection.

　　The culture of longing for beauty and reunion is deeply integrated into the daily lives of both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and is an inseparable root and belonging. It’s another New Year, and I wish our compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait health and happiness!