New York City Chinese New Year |
This year on February 3rd the Chinese will be ringing in the new year with the famous Lantern Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year Parade.
Celebrated in China Town, typically along Mott, Canal, and Bayard streets to East Broadway, the parade will include dragon dances, firecrackers, and traditional food. If you are in NY this February it is not to be missed, the deep colors and intricacy of the costumes and dragons are a wonder to behold.
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But the holiday is much more than one sees on the streets, it is, in the simplest terms, the Chinese Christmas – a time to give gifts, feast, and spend time with family. But there is also vast history and mythology surrounding it’s nature. 
2011 is the year of the Rabbit, a year where those that are born hold characteristics such as ambition, affection, sentiment, and much more.
The Parade isn’t the only thing to be found in China Town. NYC is known for being a “Melting Pot,” and this area is a prime example of it’s rich culture.
China town’s Canal Street is well known for it nick knacks and knock off designer merchandise. While you can find a verity of items from mini Buddhas to handbags up and down the block, there are higher “quality” fakes to be found in secret shops, but be careful, these places are often illegal and sometimes raided by cops.
Don’t forget to taste the food while you are there!
Some of the best restaurants are:
1. Green Bo Restaurant for Shanghai cuisine
2. N.Y. Noodletown for salt-baked shrimp and roasted pork
3. Ping’s Seafood for its fresh-killed fish dishes, and delicious dim sum
4. Wo Hop for Cantonese dishes, such as chop suey, and chow fun,
5. Hop Kee for pan fried flounder, salt baked squid, chow fun, and roast duck wonton soup
6. Congee for shrimp in walnut sauce, and anything prepared with ginger and scallions
7. Oriental Garden for Cantonese-style seafood dishes made fresh with the fish swimming around you in tanks
8. The Grand Sichuan for traditional Sichuan cuisine
Surrounded by the trendy Soho and the fancy Financial District this area is a great place to vacation. Find apartments to sublet around China Town at AptNewYork.com. And celebrate a colorful and exciting second new year!
-by Sam Richman
