Pnyin - How to get by if you're a Laowai

CITYLIFE / Hip & New






How to get by if you're a Laowai

(cityweekend)
Updated: 2007-02-15 11:19



Whether you're a newcomer to China or just completely clueless regarding
what's in store for the next week or so, City Weekend is here to make
sure you don't miss out on the festivities and frantic craziness that is
Chinese New Year.

For one thing, take some advice from Andrew Hustad, an experienced
laowai: "Stay as far away as humanly possible from the train and bus
stations. Everyone in China travels home for the holidays, so imagine the
largest crowd you've ever seen, and multiply that by a thousand." The
Chinese New Year or "Spring Festival" signals the largest human migration
on the planet as native Chinese from all over the world return to their
hometowns to enjoy reunion dinners and a week of vacation. So take it
from us, stay put in Beijing and make use of this survival kit; you'll
not only survive, but enjoy all that Beijing has to offer.


Blow Something Up

According to legend, there was once a beast - the fearsome Nian - which
would come down from the mountains, sneak into people's houses and devour
whomever it could get its claws on. The only things the Nian was scared
of were the color red and extremely loud noises. Beijing residents were
easy pickings for the Nian before 2005 when the ban on fireworks inside
the city was lifted. So light up like there's no tomorrow, just be
careful not to blow a finger off. The Beijing Government is even
instituting special 30-minute no-traffic zones inside the 5th Ring Road
beginning at 11:45 p.m. on February 17. Cars will not be allowed to drive
through any one of 64 select communities (the number could increase to
100) so that people will be free to blow up as much as possible. To get
your hands on some fireworks, go to any one of 2,500 designated stands
around town. They're easy to spot. But we recommend you head out beyond
the fifth ring to Huairou to score the best stuff.


Eat and Drink Like a Pig

Baijiu: Anywhere from 80 to 120 proof, this potent potable is available
in a myriad of different varieties and flavors. This is the stuff you
want if your idea of ringing in the New Year is blacking out while
singing terrible KTV. Two brands come especially recommended: Wulianghe
Maotai and Kongfu Jiajiu (the stuff Confucius would drink with his mates).


Dumplings: Spring Festival is a time for families to make and eat
dumplings together. It symbolizes togetherness. Mrs. Huang, a newly
arrived expatriate, discovered first hand at a Din Tai Fung class that
"they are indeed tricky little things to make. What I learned is that
it's not so much the secret recipe as it is the technique." Make your
own, buy frozen ones or order a plate from quality restaurants like
Hongmao Jiaozi (Tel: 6495-9311) or Gu Zhen Huang (Tel: 010-6613-9641).


Niangao: "Sticky cakes" or "year cakes" are a sweet treat especially
enjoyed during Spring Festival. While not exactly a traditional favorite
in Beijing (they're more popular in southern China), you should give them
a taste regardless. If you're lucky enough to snag one shaped like a
fish, you'll be rich and prosperous in the coming year.



Get the Gear

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. RMB150/per person. Tel: 010-6432-9341, 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 RMB10, and parks are typically open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tel:
010-6714-4336 (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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