How is Chinese New Year celebrated around the world?

2014 is going to be the year of the Horse.

Chinese New Year Celebrations mark the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, known also as Spring Festival. The exact date varies every year but it usually falls in late January/early February. It's a full 2-week festival packed with events, parades and parties which end on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival. This year, on the 31st of January 2014, Chinese communities all over the world will greet the Year of the Horse.

Celebrations are backed up by an ancient myth: a monster called Nian (usually depicted by dancing dragons in todays' parades) would appear on the first day of the year to raid villages and crops. Food would then be left on the threshold of the house so that Niam could eat and disappear, leaving the village in peace for the rest of the year. Once they realized that this monster was also scared by the color red, the population started hanging red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors, and using firecrackers to chase him away. That's where some aspects of the celebrations come from.

Families nowadays get ready by cleaning their houses and decorating them with red paper cuts and lanterns to welcome the New Year's fortune and the beginning of a new lucky period; they get together for dinner and enjoy street events (parades with dancing lions and dragons, fireworks and music). The following day children receive presents (usually money) wrapped in red envelopes.

You don't necessarily need to travel to China to have a glimpse of the Chinese New Year celebrations: Chinatowns all over the world are also proudly celebrating in grand style with music and parades, performances, street markets, food stands, fashion, martial arts and calligraphy demonstrations. Are you travelling within the 2-week period of Chinese New Year's celebrations, to a city with a local Chinatown? Make sure you locate it on your map and take note of the events organised by the local Chinese community: it's a one of a kind opportunity to experience 2 trips in one.

We've put together a list of the most popular Chinatownsin the world

Vancouver

If you just came across the massive China Gate, you've arrived in Pender Street, the heart of Vancouver's Chinatown. Two highlights you should not miss are Sam Kee Building, the narrowest shop in the world (located at the corner between Carrall and Pender Street) and Jimi Hendrix Shrine (207, Union Street): this restaurant used to belong to Jimmy Hendrix's grandmother but he has also spent part of his childhood here.

New York

Located in Manhattan, New York's Chinatown can be found between the Lower East Side and Little Italy. It dates back to the 1840's and it is considered one of the oldest Chinese communities outside Asia. It is centred around Mott Street, Canal Street and Mulberrry Street. It's packed with grocery shops, fishmongers, jewelry and garments shops. Feeling hungry? You'll find more than 200 Asian restaurants there!

San Francisco

Surrounded by North Beach, and Telegraph Hill, San Francisco's Chinatown has 2 main points of reference: Grant Avenue with the Dragon Gate and Stockton Street. We sugget you take a look at the former Chinese Telephone Exchange, the current Bank of Canton, and at the Sing Chong Building on Grant Avenue.

London

Established around 1970, London's Chinatown is located in the Soho district, around Gerrard Street and Lisle Street; You will understand you've actually arrived once you spot bilingual street signs and the chinese style gates. The closest tube station is Leicester Square, or Piccadilly Circus. London's Chinese New Year's celebrations include a massive free parade through Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and Chinatown.

Johannesburg

The suburb of Cyrildene includes Johannesburg's Chinatown which can be found exactly around Derrick Avenue.

Paris

The Triangle de Choisy or Petite Asie is located in the 13th arrodissement and it's Paris' main Chinatown. That's where Paris' Chinese New Year main Parade usually takes place: more parades also take place in Le Marais and Belleville.

Dublin

You will find Dublin's Chinatown on the north side of the city along Parnell Street and Capel Street, which are packed with authentical Chinese (and Korean) restaurants including the biggest Asia Market in town.

Montreal

The area of De la Gauchetière Street is where Montreal's Chinatown can be found; it's centred around Saint Urbain Street, Saint Lawrence Boulevard, between René Lévesque Boulevard and Viger Avenue. First established in the 1860s, today le quartier chinois de Montréal has become a lively entertainment spot for the chinese community, residents and tourists alike. Feel like having a cup of tea or buying teaware and herb? Check out "My cup of tea", a tea boutique located on 1057A, St Laurent: it sells original and directly imported chinese tea and herbs.

Flickr images by mariasoleil1, James Willamor, Paul Lowry, Browniesunday. At the time of the post, these images were available under the Creative Commons license.