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Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is celebrated across China and in many parts of Asia and the world where Chinese communities can be found. It is often marked by time off work or school and includes family visits, meals together, and games like mahjong.
“Two Steeds” by Au Ho-nien is part of the zodiac exhibition “Celebrating the Year of the Horse” at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Art Museum. Photo: Dickson Lee
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, February 13-15

From the new Wuthering Heights film to a horse-themed Chinese art show and a couples-focused sound bath, here are our picks for the weekend.

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Hong Kong tourism

How Hongkongers are using a longer Lunar New Year break for travel

Chinese culture

Feng shui advice for Dogs for a romantic, healthy Year of the Horse 2026

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China’s military

Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea

Analyst says deployment signals Chinese military’s cyber warfare capabilities ‘are no longer confined to the mainland’.

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CCTV shows a section of China’s cyberspace force stationed on Fiery Cross Reef. Photo: Xinhua
Trending in China

China delivery firm offers kneeling service to send New Year greetings for customers

Paid for holiday festival package includes door cleaning, couplet hanging; critics say offer cheapens sanctity of filial piety, is disrespectful.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | The Snowball on a Sunny Day: Mark Six miss turns into mayhem in family comedy

This witty Lunar New Year film follows a woman pretending to have won the Mark Six lottery after failing to buy the winning ticket.

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Artificial intelligence

Alibaba’s Qwen tops 120 million orders in 6 days amid China’s AI shopping battle

Campaign has sparked a behavioural shift towards AI-powered shopping, which Alibaba says is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice.

The number of orders signals growing acceptance of AI-powered shopping. Photo: Getty
Food and Drinks

Where to go for the most luxurious Lunar New Year menus in Hong Kong

Ring in the Year of the Fire Horse in style at these top Chinese restaurants, where festive menus feature premium takes on auspicious dishes.

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Artificial intelligence

China’s Zhipu AI launches new major model GLM-5 in challenge to its rivals

The GLM-5 represents a shift in AI development from ‘vibe coding’ to ‘agentic engineering’ to generate an enhanced performance.

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Hong Kong economy

Vendors upbeat despite rent rises as crowds flock to Lunar New Year fair

From flowers to fai chun, crowds return in force to Victoria Park on the fair’s opening day as the Year of the Horse approaches.

Hundreds of shoppers visited the opening day of the Lunar New Year fair at Victoria Park to check out this year’s offerings at 400 stalls. Photo: Sam Tsang
South Korea

South Koreans swap ancestral rites for Japan getaways this Lunar New Year

Short holidays and a weak yen drive the ‘aeroplane instead of the ancestral table’ trend.

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Tourists in traditional outfits visit the snow-covered Kanazawa Castle in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture last month. Photo: AFP
Robotics

Opinion | For clues to China’s next overcapacity cycle, watch the Spring Festival Gala

AI robots taking centre stage at the coming Spring Festival Gala – now a national tech showcase – will signal official endorsement and likely trigger herd investment.

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ByteDance

ByteDance joins Chinese rivals offering freebies in bid to acquire AI app users

TikTok parent plans to give more than 100,000 tech products as gifts, as well as red packets through lucky draws on the Doubao app.

Chinese culture

Feng shui advice for Monkeys for good luck in the Year of the Horse 2026

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Monkeys can put lucky coloured items at home and work for luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

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How can those born in the Year of the Monkey use feng shui to improve their luck in love, money and health this coming year? Feng shui practitioner Andrew Kwan shares advice. Photo: Shutterstock
China society

Opinion | A loneliness crisis is the price China is paying for rapid modernisation

As migrant workers head home for the Lunar New Year break, it is a good time to reflect on how the loneliness that has gripped Chinese society can be alleviated.

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Travellers wait with their luggage at Tianjin Railway Station as people begin returning home ahead of the Spring Festival in Tianjin, China, on February 7. Photo: AP
Horoscopes

What’s your luck like in February 2026, the Metal Tiger month?

A good start to the Lunar New Year for the Rat, Ox, Rabbit, Rooster, Dog and Pig – but challenges are in store for the Dragon, Horse, Goat and Monkey.

Trending in China

Stars with names sounding like Chinese character for horse gain popularity in China

Names hold deep significance in Chinese culture, symbolising hope, luck, and prosperity, especially during the Lunar New Year.

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Chinese culture

Feng shui advice for Sheep for luck in money and love in the Year of the Horse

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Sheep can put auspicious coloured items at home and work for luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

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How can those born in the Year of the Sheep use feng shui to improve their luck in love, money and health this coming year? Feng shui practitioner Andrew Kwan shares advice. Photo: Shutterstock
China travel

Video | Over 1.4 billion trips forecast for first week of Lunar New Year holidays

The official Lunar New Year holiday spans nine days this year, with the resulting travel rush projected to last until March 13, 2026.

From our archives

In pictures: Hong Kong readies for Lunar New Year

A look at how Hongkongers have prepared for the most significant Chinese holiday of the year, from the 1970s to the 2000s.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s stronger ringgit fails to deter Singapore shoppers

The currency gap may have narrowed from last year’s highs, but the Singapore dollar’s purchasing power is keeping the retail buzz alive.

Lunar New Year celebrations are seen in a shopping centre in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

Small China pupil praised for carrying large load of luggage home for New Year

Teenager uses skills learned at ‘military-style’ summer camps to pack quilt, mosquito tent, slippers, training shoes; secures items with ropes.

A junior secondary school pupil has received praise from internet users for independently carrying a large amount of luggage tied to his back while travelling home for the Lunar New Year break. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
Hong Kong weather

Warm temperatures expected over Lunar New Year holiday in Hong Kong

Observatory says residents can expect temperatures to rise to 23 degrees when holiday begins on February 17.

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: Lunar New Year and the meaning of home

As the Fire Horse approaches, this issue looks at the emotional pull of tradition – from mahjong tables to ancestral villages.

It's Lunar New Year

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse

Discover the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Horse and why the coming Year of the Fire Horse is so revered in Chinese culture. Find out your Chinese zodiac animal sign, learn about the ancient river race that decided the zodiac order, and uncover the real historical roots of the zodiac system.

All you need to know about the Year of the Horse
China’s private sector

China’s Year of the Horse shoppers let emotional satisfaction take the reins

Brand prestige fades in importance as consumers favour festival-themed toys, playful designs and pet items.

Pop Mart sold out of its Have a Good Run series. Photo: Handout
Year of the Horse 2026

Video | Lunar New Year Dos and Don’ts

The Lunar New Year taboos and must-dos are believed to navigate people’s prosperity throughout the year.

Trending in China

What to eat, say, or buy at Lunar New Year to bring positive energy, good fortune

From colours and hidden coins to language and gifts, the SCMP runs the rule over taboos that surround the annual festivities approach.

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