The national holiday period for Chinese New Year ends after the 6th of January in lunar calendar. But before that, the 5th is an important day to welcome the God of Wealth. January 5th (lunar calendar) is supposed to be the birthday of the God of Wealth. People in different areas have various customs to greet this important god, offering foods, burning incenses, hanging red decorations... Fire crackers and fireworks are everywhere with no doubt. The happy noise starts from mid night of the 4th, attracting the God of Wealth to celebrator's home.

The Chinese New Year is coming in 3 days. The new year's eve is February 9th this year. From February 10th, it will be the new year of snake. Although snake was worshiped in ancient Chinese mythologies, it is often associated as sinister or vicious nowadays. Peoples born in the years of snake prefer to consider themselves as a smaller dragon. The snake year falls behind the dragon year and body of the dragon comes from the snake. There is one exception - "The Legend of the White Snake". It is the story of a white snake turning into a female figure and married to the man who once saved her life.

Chinese New Year is the time for family get-together and celebration. For Chinese, a celebration cannot be completed without foods. Families start to prepare foods one month before the Spring Festival, or even earlier. Besides dried sea foods, salted ducks, cured meat, pork preserved in soy sauce is also a popular dish. Shanghai cuisine is known for its soy sauce and sugar taste.

What is the first thing reminding people of the approaching Chinese New Year? It is not the new year decoration, nor the holiday count down. It is the battle to get a train ticket home. Chinese New Year (the Spring Festival) is the most traditional holiday for Chinese people and it is the time in a year people shall spend with families. 220 million people are expected to use train as the transportation during the Spring Festival this year. 

Besides the Chinese New Year, firecrackers can be heard a lot during the weekends for wedding. Chinese like to celebrate with firecrackers as a tradition. The happy noise announces to the neighbours of the newly married couple. At the time the bride was picked up by her groom or welcomed into the groom's family, firecrackers are prepared for the celebration.