Animated attractions across the globe entice millions of Chinese to welcome in Lunar New Year with exuberant events featuring colourful costumes and blasting firecrackers. Instead of celebrating just for one night, the Oriental festivities that also honor the Chinese Spring Festival span 15 days. The first day of Chinese New Year always falls on the new moon between January 21st and February 20th – moving in a repeating 12-year cycle, the Chinese zodiac assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year. 2018 marks the “Year of the Dog”, with those born under this sign considered honest, friendly, faithful and straightforward, with a strong sense of responsibility.
This year, several Budapest locales host Chinese New Year celebrations, Asian-inspired hangouts that welcome guests with varied attractions:
Körönd Teaház
Found just steps away from Andrássy út near the Kodály körönd stop of the Millennium Underground, Körönd Teaház (Budapest 1062, Aradi utca 53) invites guests to observe Lunar New Year in a casual ambience. On February 16th, beginning at 5pm, those who celebrate here enjoy a Chinese opera performance, instrumental concerts, Oriental songs and Chinese tea tasting. While some of these events require a knowledge of Hungarian or Chinese, sipping tea and listening to music can be enjoyed no matter which languages you speak. To attend the event is subject to preliminary booking and paying a 1,000-forint entry fee.
Rickshaw Restaurant
Housed within the historic building of Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Rickshaw is a year-round destination for delectable Far Eastern cuisine served in a space festooned with impressive Oriental ornaments. Between February 16th and 25th, restaurant guests are treated to a specifically designed traditional Chinese menu to welcome the new year. Adding to the event, between February 16-18th at 7pm, a brightly colored creature entertains the audience at the hotel's lobby with classical Chinese dragon dance, performed to authentic Asian music. For more information about the event and to make a reservation, go to the Rickshaw website.
Buddha-Bar Budapest
Close out 2017 from the Chinese calendar and have a blast at focal Buddha-Bar Budapest featuring a mystical Asian ambience. On the night of February 16th, the Eastern-style interior will host a traditional lion-dance show, and presents fortune cookies, Oriental cocktail concoctions, alongside plenty of party surprises. To shake things up on the dance floor, Buddha-Bar resident DJ Mada spins the hottest hits throughout the night. Revelries start at 10pm and run until 2am. For more information about the event and to make a reservation, visit the event’s Facebook page.
The Experience Center
Organized by the local Chinese community, this daytime gathering celebrates the Spring Festival on February 17th, beginning at 10am. Taking place at the Experience Center in District XV (Szentmihályi út 171), the event aims to highlight Chinese culture, customs and cuisine. Visitors can see a traditional lion-dance show, martial arts performances and a kung fu demonstration, plus learn about the ancient Chinese medicine. This outer-precinct attraction has lots of activities for children, as well. Best of all, entry is free of charge. To get there, take bus line 7E from Blaha Lujza tér and get off at the Vásárcsarnok stop. From here, a ten-minute walk takes you to the hosting establishment. For more information, visit the Facebook page.
