Discover the Magic: Top 7 Fun Facts About Christmas in China You Never Knew!

1. Kung Fu Stockings

In a twist worthy of a Christmas-themed kung fu flick, Chinese Christmas stockings serve up a sockful of yuletide treats and good fortune: A popular tradition in China involves hanging stockings filled with small gifts and decorated with traditional Christmas imagery or lucky Chinese characters, especially in urban areas.
Source => pearlriver.com

2. Old Christmas Man

Ho, ho, 老 (lǎo)! Jolly old St. Nick trades in his winter boots for kung fu slippers, going undercover in Beijing as "Old Christmas Man": In China, Santa Claus is called "Shengdan Laoren," but he doesn't take the spotlight from Chinese values, as Christmas isn't an official holiday, and Christian traditions often aren't encouraged. However, Hong Kong and Macau bring their European colonial roots into play, embracing the festive season.
Source => dragonsteaching.com

Did you know that Buddha's Delight, a scrumptious vegetarian dish, is like an 18-party mixtape of flavors traditionally served during Chinese New Year? Discover the significance behind its 18 ingredients and the tasty components in this unique culinary celebration. 🥢🎉

=> Fun Facts about Chinese-New-Year

3. Apples for Peaceful Eve

Forget doctor's orders: In China, an apple on Christmas Eve keeps the misfortunes away! A uniquely delightful practice known as "Ping An Ye," meaning peaceful evening, sees locals gifting each other apples wrapped in festive packaging, found even in fruit markets, to wish for a safe and prosperous year ahead.
Source => pandaily.com

4. Fortune Cookie Christmas

When Santa ditches his reindeer for a dragon ride and swaps his turkey dinner for a fortune cookie: Christmas in China is not a widely celebrated holiday, with only a small percentage of the population participating in festivities, and those who do often enjoy local dishes like braised pork and eggs, rather than a traditional turkey roast on the big day.
Source => scmp.com

5. Mickey Mouse Santa

In a magical realm where East meets West and Mickey Mouse wears a Santa hat, 'tis the season to be jolly: Shanghai Disney Resort celebrates Christmas with festive finery, exclusive merchandise, and captivating performances that include a tree lighting ceremony led by Olaf from Frozen, Santa Goofy photo ops, and even holiday-edition Duffy Bear and ShellieMay plush dolls.
Source => attractionsmagazine.com

6. Paper Lanterns Festivities

When the Chinese deck the halls with boughs of... paper lanterns, they take yuletide lighting to a whole new level – brighter, bolder, and much more colorful: A common Christmas tradition in China is to brighten up their homes and streets using decorative paper lanterns, usually displayed separately rather than a Christmas tree accessory, adding an extra layer of festivity to the holiday celebrations.
Source => lovetoknow.com

7. Harbin's Icy Wonderland

While Santa Claus may not be dashing through the streets of Harbin, an army of glistening snowmen, icy dragons, and frosty palaces give the North Pole a run for its money: Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China, held from December to February, is a winter wonderland displaying mesmerizing ice sculptures and snow art, offering activities like ice climbing, skating, skiing, and ice biking, along with performances such as ice dances and acrobatics, making it a cool experience unrelated to Christmas.
Source => chinahighlights.com