Countdown to the New Year

Unique offerings, dream destinations are top choices for Chinese consumers this year

As the bell strikes the last minute of this year, people from all over the world will usher in the new year in a multitude of ways with a core emphasis on sending cherished wishes to near and dear ones.

Chen Lu, a 54-year-old from Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, is planning to usher in 2019 with his family at the Harbin Ice and Snow World, an ice and snow tourist and cultural theme park in northeast China's Heilongjiang province.

"New year holidays were never special to me earlier. It was just a few days without work. Even my family used to look forward to the Spring Festival holidays. But all of that changed some five years ago and since then we have been cherishing the rich experiences gauged from these holidays." he said.

"This year we decided to go to Harbin as it was my daughter's suggestion. I think it will be a totally different experience as winter and snow gels more with the new year countdown than the summer-like Guangzhou," he said with a smile. "We are looking forward to the dawn of Jan 1 with great excitement."

The New Year's Day, observed on Jan 1, is probably the world's most celebrated public holiday. Unlike the close-knit family occasions that mark Chinese festivals like Spring Festival, there is more fun and frolic associated with the New Year's Eve. Observing events such as the fireworks show, dancing performances and countdowns usually go well past the night onto the New Year's Day.