CELEBRATION OF CHINESE NEW YEAR IN AMSTERDAM
Another big event that is celebrated in Amsterdam is the Chinese New Year. This event of Chinese is celebrated in Amsterdam with great enthusiasm. One can have a view of Amsterdam going wild in the celebration and enjoyment to welcome their New Year on this day. This is the biggest event of the Year for the Chinese who are residing in Amsterdam. This is the day when Chinese starts their new year giving best wishes to each other for the coming year.
The event is celebrated with bang of noise and lots of fireworks. It is not possible to celebrate the Chinese New Year without firework and the traditional lion Dance. The sight of the place looks very beautiful and bright. The noise of firework could be heard all round the day since it is believed that the bad spirits are chased away by the noise and the coming year could be dwelled peacefully. Traditionally this event is celebrated with lots of noise and the fun is intensified with the Chinese Lion Dance and the Dragon Dance. The dragon visits in the entire China town showering its blessings at every Chinese business so that the business could flourish and progress further.
The main site where Chinese New Year is celebrated in Amsterdam is the China Town. Although this area ;is known especially for Chinese but other international restaurants, Hotels (of every budget), market and shops can also be found here. This is the famous area between Stormsteeg, Geldersekade and Zeedijk. The area is well known for the Nieuwmarkt square. The true Buddhist temple besides other temples can also be found in Zeedijik by the name of Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple. Although the celebration of this day goes on for about two weeks at many places, but in Amsterdam it is celebrated for three to four days only.
The main spotlight of all these activities is the streets around Nieuwmarkt. The Chinese celebrate and welcome their new year with great zeal, traditional performances and costumes. The restaurants are decorated and finer Chinese meal is prepared to welcome the year. The temples are illuminated with lights. Metro could be helpful to reach the destination namely Nieuwmarkt from the hotels located at various areas.