China and Christmas

Since China is not a Christian country December 25th is not a national holiday, and people go about their business as normal unless its a weekend.

However there's always an exception, and in China the exception is Hong Kong and Macau which have huge strong Western influences and therefore do have a day off to enjoy the festivities.

But Christmas is definitely growing its influence in China and many of the larger cities will have giant trees decorated in shopping malls or even (in Hong Kong) public buildings.

It may not be a religious holiday for most of the country, but it doesn't mean that it's not a huge commercial holiday. Despite only 2% of China's population being Christians, for them its a very important festival - and 2% still means 26 million people!

Hong Kong Christmas 2012

Hong Kong is an amazing place to spend Christmas. As with everything on the Island, it's turned up to the maximum, and the celebrations are spectacular.

Everywhere you go there will be Christmas trees and decorations, and although the religious element is downplayed, the celebration and shopping element is definitely increased.  You'll even spot Santa in some of the major shopping malls.  The harbour is an unbelievable sight, with all the surround buildings lit up, the boats covered in lights, and all reflected in the water.

There's a Disneyland in Hong Kong, and as you can imagine the park goes crazy for Christmas with festive parades, decorations and of course fireworks, fireworks, fireworks.  The same applies to Ocean World, which ups the ante with fake snow too!

Back in the city, you'll continually bump into Christmas carol singers, and can have a skate on the temporary ice rink.  If you like your entertainment a little more highbrow the Hong Kong Philharmonic or the Ballet may be more to your taste.

Christmas on the Mainland

You can still get a taste for Xmas on the mainland, especially in the bigger cities such as Beijing and Shanghai (and to some extent Guangzhou). If you're thinking Christmas is a niche experience you'll be surprised by the amount of lights, decorations and displays across the cities - its almost as intense as the West. The bigger cities have Catholic Churches and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve remains a highlight for many many people - religious or not.

Christmas Traditions in China

For those people that do celebrate Christmas, they'll decorate their Trees of Light (Christmas Trees) with paper lanterns, chains and flowers. Their houses will be dressed with lovely paper-lanterns, lighting both inside and outside, and there will be bowls of tangerines and oranges that represent good luck and wealth - both of which the Chinese are passionate about.

They also wait for Old Man Christmas who will leave them gifts in their muslin stockings.

The big Chinese celebration happens at Chinese New Year at the end of January - which seems to be a license to let off millions of firecrackers.

Traditional Christmas Lunch in China

If you're looking for a traditional christmas lunch or dinner, then your best bet is to head for one of the international hotel chains who, almost without exception, lay on fantastic Western feasts of turkey and all the trimmings.

Although you don't need to be resident at the hotels, you do need to make a reservation way in advance. If you're reading this on Christmas Eve... good luck... you may be better off buying a turkey from one of the international supermarkets and finding an oven.