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Lunar New Year Celebrations Ignite Across Asia as Families Welcome the Year of the Snake

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Hundreds of millions of people across Asia gathered with family and friends on Wednesday to celebrate the Lunar New Year, marking the transition from the Year of the Dragon to the auspicious Year of the Snake. The festive spirit permeated the region, with vibrant traditions and family reunions taking center stage.

In China, the extended Spring Festival holiday provided an eight-day reprieve for many, allowing families to indulge in shared meals, traditional performances, and the exhilarating spectacle of firecrackers and fireworks. The annual migration, known as “Chunyun,” saw train stations and airports bustling with travelers, as millions returned home to reunite with loved ones. State media projected record-breaking numbers, estimating about nine billion interprovincial passenger trips throughout the 40-day travel period surrounding the holiday.

Amid the celebrations, East and Southeast Asia adorned itself in a sea of red, with high streets, shopping malls, and homes draped in vibrant banners believed to ward off evil spirits. Countries from South Korea to Vietnam embraced the festive atmosphere, each adding their unique cultural twists to the festivities.

In Taiwan, the morning saw a throng of devotees at temples across the island, where offerings of fruit, sweets, and incense filled the air. Chen Ching-yuan, 36, expressed the significance of this ritual at Taipei’s Longshan Temple, stating, “There’s no need to ask for anything specific, just wish for a smooth, peaceful, safe, and healthy year.” Her sentiments echoed through the temple, where visitors sought spiritual solace and shared hopes for a prosperous new year.

Some temple-goers engaged in spirited competitions, racing to release incense first in a quest for good fortune. Kao Meng-shun, a participant at Fusing Temple in Yunlin County, said, “While I’m still young and have the energy, it’s the perfect time to take action and make the most of it.”

In South Korea, however, the celebrations faced challenges, as heavy snowfall disrupted travel plans nationwide. Passengers at Seoul’s main train station were seen laden with gifts, braving the elements to reach their families in the countryside. Traffic authorities warned that a typical four-hour drive to Busan could stretch to over seven hours due to the inclement weather.

Amid these challenges, many chose to escape the winter chill by traveling abroad. Incheon International Airport anticipated over 2.1 million passengers making international journeys during the holiday period, marking the highest daily average since the airport’s opening in 2001.

The festive spirit even reached beyond Earth, as Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station sent New Year greetings to those back home. In a video shared by the China Manned Space Agency, astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, dressed in traditional attire, wished viewers well for the coming year, with Wang forming a heart shape above her head and declaring, “In the new year, may all your dreams come true.”

As the Year of the Snake begins, the shared hopes and traditions of the Lunar New Year continue to strengthen bonds within families and communities, highlighting the resilience and joy that define this cherished celebration across Asia.