Celebrating the Chinese New Year in Richmond, B.C.

One of the best places to partake in Chinese New Year celebrations without traveling all the way to China is Richmond in British Columbia, Canada. The city neighbors Vancouver to the south and is home to a Chinese population that numbers around 44 percent. This population contributes to Richmond’s incredibly rich cultural fabric, evidenced by the abundance of authentic Asian cultural events, restaurants, markets, spas and scores of other businesses.

As the Chinese New Year approaches each year, Richmond hums and pulses with an air of celebration. Families treat themselves to elaborate, boisterous meals, red lanterns are strung in groceries and temples and two weeks of events are planned.

Among the many options for visitors are:

• Partaking in a 10- to 12-course meal of dishes considered to bring good luck, long life and prosperity at a local restaurant like Golden Paramount or Chef Tony
• Visiting a traditional — and New Year-oriented — flower market to purchase lucky plum blossoms. The best spot is the Aberdeen Centre mall.
• Meditate at a Buddhist temple, like the impressive International Buddhist Temple, modeled after Beijing’s Forbidden City. Here, you can partake in prayer and meditation sessions (open to people of all faiths) as well as purchase flowers and gifts for the New Year.

For more ideas, visit the Tourism Richmond site.