Sydney celebrates Chinese New Year
17 Jan 2012Sichuan province will help Sydneysiders celebrate Chinese New Year and ring in the Year of the Dragon.
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan in south-western China, is Sydney's partner city for this year's Chinese New Year festival. Chengdu is famous for its spicy food, traditional tea, stunning temples and giant pandas.
The 2012 festival runs from 20 January to 5 February, with the Twilight Parade and fireworks on 29 January expected to attract more than 100,000 people to the city centre.
More than 2,500 dancers, acrobats, martial artists and performers local will take part in the Twilight Parade. Buildings along the parade route will be lit up in contemporary Chinese New Year designs, wishing Sydneysiders "Kung Hei Fat Choy" as they welcome in the Year of the Dragon.
The festival includes more than 60 events, including markets, dragon boat races, temple tours, a film festival, art exhibitions, kids' events, cultural and historical tours, calligraphy demonstrations, opera and banquets.
More than 600,000 people attend the festival each year, making it one of the most popular events on Sydney's annual calendar.
During the festival, the City of Sydney will host the Sydney-Chengdu Business Forum 2012. A delegation from Chengdu will explore trade, investment and cultural exchange opportunities with their Sydney counterparts.
