Colorful Chinese New Year Celebrations in Sydney

SYDNEY, Mar. 6 -- During the 17 days of Chinese New Year, there is a significant air of festivity in Australia.

The biggest Dragon Boat Race in the Southern Hemisphere (People's Daily Online Jing Li)

Between 16 February and 4 March, the city of Sydney celebrated the Lunar New Year by decorating its streets with fireworks and giant lanterns.

With over 80 events this year, Sydneysiders celebrated the Year of the Dog by visiting many of the city’s cultural events, markets, and exhibitions.

“There are a number of distinctive cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year, and we are holding festivities right across the city to celebrate,” said Clover Moore, the Lord Mayor of Sydney.

he biggest Dragon Boat Race in the Southern Hemisphere (People's Daily Online Jing Li)

On the first night of the New Year festival, fireworks were rampant in the night sky. The Harbour Bridge was lit red for ten minutes, as a symbol of good fortune.

Having first arrived in Australia during the Gold Rush in the 1850s and 1860s, Chinese people have introduced their culture into Australia for over a century. Today, Chinese New Year is a widely celebrated event within the Chinese-Australian community.

“There are many events on offer, including art, food, performances, and Dragon Boat Racing on Darling Harbour,” Mr Xiaojie Gu, the Chinese Consul-General in Sydney has also extended his best wishes to all Chinese people living in Sydney.

One of the most popular events was the Dragon Boat Race at Cockle Bay, as more than 3000 boats race each other to the beating of drums. This is the biggest Dragon Boat Race in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Chinese New Year celebrations in Sydney (People's Daily Online Jing Li)

Prior to the race, the waters were blessed by Taoist monks to ensure safety. The figureheads of each boat then had their eyes painted red, which is believed to awaken the dragons.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Sydney is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia, with more than a million people attending the events. Festivals and celebrations were rampant in Chinatown, along with lion dance performances and firecrackers. (People’s Daily Online/ Roger Liu)

The latern of dog decorating streets in Sydney (People's Daily Online Jing Li)