A top official from Shunyi district yesterday urged residents to avoid all unnecessary travel outside the home and to plan on spending the Spring Festival within the district.

While outlining a series of measures to get the latest outbreak under control, Shunyi District Committee Standing Committee Deputy Chief Zhi Xianwei urged people to cancel or postpone all non-essential trips outside the district.

Zhi also said all 51 of the district’s after-school training centers have been ordered closed, as well as movie theaters, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities that normally draw crowds.

Meanwhile, two sources with children in local public schools in the district report that they have been informed by their school that classes will move to on-line only, effective immediately. However, an official media announcement regarding this could not be found at press time.

Sources working in the administration of international schools in Shunyi indicate that they are also being advised to prepare for the potential of reverting to an on-line only model.

However, at present after-school training centers are the only educational institutions that were cited in the city’s official channels to have been explicitly told to suspend in-person classes.

Both local and international schools are currently on holiday and are due to be back in session this week. While no word on the specific plans for the schools was stated yesterday, there was a reference to “scientifically adjust[ing]  the use of online and offline teaching methods,” which hints that schools in the district may be requested to move to an online-only model for the weeks left before the Spring Festival holiday in early February.

Citywide, public schools’ Spring Festival break has already been moved up, with lower grades ending classes two weeks early, on Jan 16, and middle grades ending a week early on Jan 23.

Shunyi has become the center of concern in Beijing over the last two weeks; of the 24 local virus transmissions found in Beijing’s latest outbreak, 20 of them were amongst residents of Shunyi, while another was Huairou resident who worked in Shunyi. Out of six areas in Beijing now classified as medium risk, five are in Shunyi.

The five are:

• Nancai Village, Nancai Township, Shunyi
• Zhangxizhuang Village, Gaoliying Township, Shunyi
• Xidulan Village, Nanfaxin Township, Shunyi
• Donghaihong Village, Nanfaxin Township, Shunyi
• Dongmagezhuang Village, Gaoliying Township, Shunyi

(The sixth area in Beijing is the Hanting Hotel and immediate surrounding area in Dashanzi, Chaoyang, not too far from the 798 Art District).

The five areas are relatively small local villages clustered to the north and northeast of the Capital International Airport. Most expat residents of Shunyi live in housing estates west or southwest of the airport.

KEEP READING: Staying in Beijing? Books & Toys for Kids Who Can’t Travel

Photos: Google maps

Shh… did you hear traffic? No? We didn’t either! It’s the quietest time to be in Beijing and with most of the city gone for Chinese New Year, those of us who stayed behind get to take advantage of the empty subways and empty streets. Just imagine it, a clear shot from CBD to Haidian in 30 minutes or less, plus unfettered access to all the holiday pizzazz lighting up the city. To help you make the most of the season, we’ll be posting daily recommendations for the best deals and coziest places in town, as you and your family usher in the marvelous, magical, and sure to be majestic… Year of the Rat!

Spring Festival is a veritable tapestry of complex traditions and rituals steeped in ancient mythology, guiding everything from what color you should wear to what food you should eat and the presents you should give. It’s a time ostensibly reserved for family, resulting in the largest human migration on the planet as people make their way back to their hometowns, with an astounding 3 billion journeys estimated this year alone, although that number is quickly dwindling due to the rapidly developing coronavirus saga.

Nevertheless, The sheer totality of this week-long event is a dizzying display of the richness that is Chinese culture, and one that is sure to enchant seasoned and rookie expats alike.

Generally speaking, this massive movement of locals means there aren’t a whole lot of folks left to run those restaurants and shops you and your family love to frequent (save for the sweet deals we have been and will be, profiling this week), so the city all but shuts down.

However, as businesses shutter their doors for much-needed family time, Temple Fairs pop up all over town. Whether these events actually showcase the very best that Chinese New Year (CNY) has to offer is debatable, with each event boasting a plethora of questionable snacks both Western and Eastern, games, art, handicrafts, performances, and more.

While Temple Fairs are usually billed as a must-see experience if you’re to fully immerse yourself in this wonderful country, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the few inherent downsides that come with them, and specifically, those that are particularly relevant to the current health crisis.

Namely, some fairs attract a million visitors over four or five days, meaning in a good year, they can be uncomfortably crowded. This year, however, uncomfortably crowded has taken on an entirely new meaning. That is, we cannot, in good conscience recommend that you attend any Temple Fairs this year. As experts are recommending the avoidance of crowds to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, it’s an unfortunate fact that this year’s CNY festivities must take a backseat to the health and wellbeing of our communities and our readers.

Moreover, given that they’re held outside during the height of winter, it’s going to be cold. Like, really cold.  And although some of the fairs will have interesting tchotchkes and knickknacks, the vast majority of what’s on sale is nothing more than your average cheap souvenir with an inflated price tag for the occasion. In fact, one of the most popular purchases of last year were poop emoji balloons, which surely left the Beijing old-timers scratching their heads in bewilderment.

Temple Fair Closures

We regret to inform you that the city’s temple fairs, which would usually be heaving with revelers in the coming days, have all been canceled.

To be honest, aside from the few performances on display, Temple Fairs are truly awash in bad food and worse shopping. All you’re missing out on is some cotton candy, ice cream, chuar, and less than appetizing tanghulu, all of which can be consumed year-round in less gaudy environments.

Photos: The Erica Chang via Wikicommons, Paul Louis via Wikicommons

Developments in the coronavirus saga took another turn for the worse this morning as Beijing woke up to news that human-to-human contact has been confirmed as a means to infection. This comes as millions of folks across the country gear up for Spring Festival travel within and outside of China’s borders.

Speaking to state media, respiratory expert and representative of the Chinese government Zhong Nanshan said that “two people in Guangdong province in southern China caught the virus from family members,” the Associated Press (AP) reported today. Likewise, citing China Daily, it was reported that “Some medical workers have also tested positive for the virus.” 

With 200 cases and three deaths confirmed, beginning in the epicenter of Wuhan, and including, as of Monday, five in Beijing, 14 in Guangdong, and seven suspected cases across Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shanghai, the outbreak has caught the attention of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Xi Jinping.

“The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan and other places must be taken seriously,” said President Xi. “Party committees, governments and relevant departments at all levels should put people’s lives and health first.”

Though they haven’t officially declared a global health crisis, WHO announced that it would hold an Emergency Committee meeting in Geneva on Wednesday to gauge the seriousness of the situation, according to AP.

It bears mentioning that hundreds of people exposed to those with the virus have not fallen sick, and thus the municipal health commission stands by its assertion that human-to-human contact is not occurring at a rapid click. Moreover, for those of you planning on traveling in the coming days and weeks, “Based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend any restriction of travel or trade.”

Nevertheless, there are doubtlessly some precautions you and your family should take, peppered throughout this post, to mitigate the risks of infection. And if you begin to show any of the following symptoms, you should both consult a doctor immediately, and take further care not to infect those around you.

Common signs of infection include respiratory trouble such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fever, or cough. If left untreated, coronavirus can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney failure, and in very extreme cases, death.

In terms of facemasks, the standard N95 and KN95 is approved by the FDA as “one part of an infection-control strategy.” These can be picked up at just about any 7-Eleven in the city, and should be worn when in heavily populated areas such as airports and subways.

While it’s always a good idea to work immune-boosting foods into your diet, it would be particularly useful now. After all, the greatest defense against getting sick is a healthy body.

Photos: Greshampediatrics.com, World Health Organization, WebMD

Just like Christmas in the West, the Spring Festival is the most important festival for Chinese people. Before the Spring Festival, people will prepare many things, such as snacks, drinks, and chūnlián (banners with two lines of spring poetry). The general term for all these things is the Niánhuò (年货, special purchases for the Spring Festival). Unlike the old days, when collecting food before the Spring Festival was to survive for the upcoming year, nowadays preparing the special purchases is more like a ceremony to feel the new year atmosphere, and as an important social activity with the family. Here is some vocabulary about Niánhuò to get ready for the new year . 

Food 食物 Shíwù

Food is one of the things that Chinese people take the most pride in, which is seen through the significance placed on the New Year’s Eve dinner (年夜饭-nián yèfàn). While there are differences between the north and the south, here are some common food you are sure to see on the table both in north and south.

READ MORE: North vs South: What to Eat During Chinese Nián Yèfàn

Meat 肉 Ròu

– Fish 鱼肉 Yúròu
– Pork 猪肉 Zhūròu
– Duck 鸭肉 Yāròu
– Chicken 鸡肉 Jīròu

Snacks 零食/小吃 Língshí/Xiǎochī

– Sunflower seeds 瓜子 Guāzǐ
– Almond 杏仁 Xìngrēn
– Walnut 核桃 Hétáo
– Pistachio 开心果 Kāixīnguǒ
– Chestnut 板栗 Bánlì
– Cashew nuts  腰果 Yāoguǒ
– Peanut 花生 Huāshēng

– Candy 糖果 Tángguǒ
– Fruits 水果 Shuǐguǒ
– Dessert 甜品 Tiánpǐn

Drinks 饮品 Yǐnpǐn

– Tea 茶 Chá
–  Chinese spirits 白酒 Báijiǔ
– Red wine 红酒 Hóng pútáojiǔ
– White wine 白葡萄酒 Bái pútáojiǔ
– Beer 啤酒 Píjiǔ
– Juice 果汁 Guǒzhī
– Coca-Cola 可乐 Kělè

READ MORE: Easy Dining: A Cheat Sheet for Ordering in Mandarin

Decorations with Auspicious Symbols 吉祥的装饰品 Jíxiáng de zhuāngshìpǐn

– Happiness or blessing 福 Fú
– Couplets 春联 Chūnlián 
– Gods of the Gate 门神 Ménshén 
– New Year paintings 年画 Niánhuà
– Paper cuttings 剪纸 Jiǎnzhǐ
– Anything red 红 Hóng
– Double Happiness 双喜 aka 囍 Shuāng xǐ 

READ MORE: Mandarin Monday: The Many Auspicious Symbols of Spring Festival

Photos: Pexels

Open Day at House of Knowledge, Jan 14 ,  8.30am-11.30am

The Open Day provides an opportunity for families to meet the school principal, teachers, and learn about the teaching philosophy and approaches of House of Knowledge. You will not only have a tour of the campus, plus get to see some creative project work showcased by students themselves, but you will also get a clear understanding of the core concepts of the Reggio Emilia approach and the elementary school curricula. The principal will also discuss some educational hot topics with attending parents.

House of Knowledge Xinglong Campus – Block A, Unit 8, Xinglongzhuang, Chaoyang Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区朝阳路辅路兴隆庄甲8号A座, This event is free to attend.

House of Knowledge Open Day, Jan 16, 9.30 am-11.30 am

The Open Day provides an opportunity for families to meet the school principal, teachers, and learn about the teaching philosophy and approaches of House of Knowledge. You will not only have a tour of the campus, plus get to see some creative project work showcased by students themselves, but you will also get a clear understanding of the core concepts of the Reggio Emilia approach and the elementary school curricula. The principal will also discuss some educational hot topics with attending parents. English and Chinese

House of Knowledge Schools and Kindergartens – 15 Victoria Gardens, Chaoyang Park West Rd, Beijing, This event is free to attend.

Cook, Eat, Talk – 16 Jan 2020 , 11am-1pm

Cook, Eat, Talk is an initiative focused on providing communal support to adolescent young ladies and young men in the Beijing area. During the event, there shall be cooking of good food, build a community of support,and talking about holistic health and wellness, as it relates to teens and tweens, in a safe and engaging space.

The Tree, 2nd floor, Building No.28, Jingshundongjie No.6, Chaoyang district, Beijing – 北京市朝阳区崔各庄京顺东街6号院28号楼二层 , RMB 230

Beginner Kids Robotics Boot-camp, Jan 18 – 22, 1. 30 pm -6.30 pm

The robotics camp that students love is back! Let your children enter the world of robotics and AI in a fun and engaging way with Popular Robotics’ winter camp. Give your kids the chance to explore a future in engineering as a present for the new year! Students love it! You’ll not only learn the state of the engineering skills in a fun engaging way with like-minded students.

Tsinghua University – Shuangqing Road 30, Haidian District, RMB 999- RMB 5,999, Please contact organizer for further details

Paddy’s Aussie Takeover, Jan 17,  8pm – 11.30pm

Aussie Fire Fundraiser week presents Paddy’s Aussie Takeover, with live music by Tavey Lean and Solid Gold Dream Machine. Experience a wonderful time with the like-minded people in Beijing, with good drinks, good food and wonderful music, and all for a worthy cause to help those affected by the wild bush fires in Australia.

Paddy O’Shea’s – 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Chaoyang District , This event is free to attend.

Spring Festival Eve Celebration With Cultural Keys, Jan 24, 9.00 am-3.00 pm

Spring Festival is a time to spend with closest family and friends. But what if you’re new to the city or want to spend the time on an authentic cultural activity?

Join Cultural Keys Chinese culture center  to celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve, make dumplings and write lucky New Year couplets under the watchful eye of an expert calligrapher which you can take home and hang around your front door. Transportation, all materials, both workshops, two presentations and a meal are included in the price. The shorter morning session is better suited to families with younger children, while the evening is better for adults. If you have any questions, or would like to confirm your place, please add AJDonnelly on WeChat. Alternatively, email events@culturalkeys.cn.

Pickup time: Morning Session – 9am Evening Session – 3pm
Drop off time: Morning Session – 3pm Evening Session – 9pm
Availability: Max. 8 people per session | 8 years old and over
Payment: Prepayment required via WeChat, Alipay or PayPal (+5% transaction fee – no account required)

Cultural Keys – 191 (North Gate A), Xiaopu North Road Xiaopu Village, Songzhuang, Tongzhou, Morning Session – RMB 488 Evening Session – RMB 588

Beginners Calligraphy Workshop for Adults and Children, Feb 1, 11am – 3pm

Learning calligraphy, one of China’s most famous cultural treasures, takes time and patience, but the rewards are many – not only does it teach culture, patience and control, but the focus required means it’s also a kind of meditation! Join Cultural Keys for one of Cultural Keys’ monthly beginners’ workshops, which include a 2-hour calligraphy class, guided by an experienced calligrapher. You’ll practice your design first before choosing a character or phrase to write on to decorative paper that you can then take home and frame! Included in the price is a presentation (in English) on the language and history of Chinese calligraphy, a dumpling lunch, the workshop itself, all materials, snacks and tea while you write, as well as free time to explore Xiaopu Artists Village, located within the Songzhuang Art District! All this for only 258RMB or even less if you sign up with a friend! Suitable for everyone 10+. 4 people minimum required. If fewer than 4 people sign up, full refunds will be issued. If you have any questions or would like to confirm your place, please add AJDonnelly on WeChat. Alternatively, email us at events@culturalkeys.cn.

Cultural Keys – 191 (North Gate A), Xiaopu North Road Xiaopu Village, Songzhuang, Tongzhou, RMB258

Advanced Kids Robotics Bootcamp, Feb 4 – 8 | 1.30 pm – 6.30 pm

The robotics camp that students love is back! Let your children enter the world of robotics and AI in a fun and engaging way with Popular Robotics’ winter camp. Give your kids the chance to explore a future in engineering as a present for the new year! Students love it! Here you’ll not only learn the state of the are engineering skills in a fun engaging way with like-minded students. Let your child start the year in a meaningful way.

Tsinghua University – Shuangqing Road 30, Haidian District, RMB 999- RMB 5,999, Please contact organizer for further details

Lantern Festival Celebration With Cultural Keys, Feb 8 | 2pm – 9pm

In 2020, the Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo jié 元宵节）falls on February 8th, the fifteenth and final day of Spring Festival. Although it’s not a public holiday, it is still widely celebrated, especially in southern China and among the diaspora. What’s this holiday all about and how can you celebrate it? Join Cultural Keys Saturday, February 8th at the Culture Centre for an afternoon of fun and friendship as participants celebrate the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of Spring Festival! At this event, you can learn more about Lantern Festival customs and language, paint paper lanterns, solve riddles, make tangyuan (sweet dumplings) and enjoy a meal together! Transportation from Sanlitun, all materials, snacks, tea and dinner, and English-speaking hosts are all included! If you have any questions or would like to confirm your place, please add AJDonnelly on WeChat. Alternatively, email us at events@culturalkeys.cn.

Cultural Keys – 191 (North Gate A), Xiaopu North Road Xiaopu Village, Songzhuang, Tongzhou, RMB 488 per person, RMB 888 for two people

If you think the reason people in China wear red underwear is to find love like people in Mexico and other Latin American countries do, you are wrong. There’s nothing romantic about it. Instead, people who need to wear it, believe they are likely to face more challenges or troubles than usual in their zodiac year (本命年 běnmìng nián), and that they need to wear red to ward off bad luck every single day of the New Year. Sounds confusing? Here are some stories and explanations behind it.

What and when is Zodiac Year of Birth (本命年 Běnmìng nián)?

There are 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig) in the Chinese zodiac, and each year welcomes a new animal. People are born under one sign and will run into their Zodiac Year of Birth (本命年 Běnmìng nián) every 12 years, which is on their 12th, 24th, 36th 48th, 60th, 72nd, 84th, 96th birthday etc.

Every year is considered to be managed by a God of Age (太岁 Tàisuì); if you were born under the same sign as the Tàisuì of that year, you are more likely to have the Evil Spirit (凶星 Xiōngxīng) get you in trouble.

How to ward off bad luck in your Běnmìng Nián?

Wear red

The most common and popular way is to wear red underwear. Other than that, a red waist belt, red bracelet, or any other red clothing is supposed to help. But all this red stuff must be purchased by other people; otherwise the effect is believed to be greatly reduced.

Wear jade, crystal, or gold accessories

Jade, crystal, and gold are said to have enough spiritual power to drive away the evil spirit in Chinese culture. That’s why you can see a lot of people, especially old people, wearing these kinds of accessories in China.

Worship the God of Age

As each year is controlled by a God of Age (太岁 Tàisuì), people also choose to go to temples to worship the God of Age and make a wish every year.

What’s special about red in Chinese culture?

In Yijing (易经, Classic of Changes), one of the Five Classics of Confucianism, red is associated with the “division” trigram of the “Bagua” (八卦, Eight Diagrams ), which also represents “light”. According to the theory of Yin and Yang, red is Yang, which can kill the darkness and evil spirits. Wearing red is a simple way to avoid the bad luck that considered to be Yin.

In addition, red is a color which means life and hope in Chinese culture. People choose to wear red for good luck for the new year.

Photo: pexels.com

The Year of the Dog is coming to an end and we will soon be ushering in the Year of the Pig. We hope that 2018 brought you good health and happiness and that 2019 will be your best year yet. Should you have any need for our expert care, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is always here to lend a helping hand and help you on your way to a happier, healthier you. From birth to old age, BJU is with you all the way.

Click below to watch BJU’s Chinese New Year video!

The whole team at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) would like to wish Beijing Kids readers a very healthy and happy Year of the Pig!

This post is provided by Beijing United Family Hospital
Images courtesy of Beijing United Family Hospital

The Year of the Dog is coming to an end and we will soon be ushering in the Year of the Pig. We hope that 2018 brought you good health and happiness and that 2019 will be your best year yet. Should you have any need for our expert care, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is always here to lend a helping hand and help you on your way to a happier, healthier you. From birth to old age, BJU is with you all the way.

Click below to watch BJU’s Chinese New Year video!

The whole team at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) would like to wish Beijing Kids readers a very healthy and happy Year of the Pig!

This post is provided by Beijing United Family Hospital
Images courtesy of Beijing United Family Hospital

The saying “if you can’t beat your enemy, join them” rings particularly true during Spring Festival, a time when our sight is inundated by a sea of red and an explosion of characters decorating doorways and windows. Without some prior knowledge of Chinese language or traditions, it can be hard to decode the many symbols that appear around this time year so we’ve created this guide so you know what exactly all the fuss is about.

福 fú – Happiness or blessing
You’ll see this character more than any other during Spring Festival. Printouts, paper cuttings, or hand-written characters are pasted to doors, glass, and walls and represent the invitation of happiness and good fortune into homes, restaurants, and offices. If you see the character pasted upside down, you may be forgiven for thinking that someone’s botched it but it’s actually a play on words: 福倒了 fú dàole, or “happiness upside-down,” has the same exact pronunciation as 福到了, or “happiness has arrived.” There’s also a set day to affix your 福 (along with couplets, New Year pictures, and the Gods of the Gate; more on those below) which falls on the 30th day of the 12th lunar month, Feb 15 for the upcoming Year of the Dog.

春联 chūnlián – Couplets
The custom of pasting couplets to either side of your front gate originated in the Song dynasty, when people would write or buy couplets from local poets expressing good wishes for the new year. There’s no punctuation in couplets, and to read them in the correct order, first read the left horizontal scroll, then the horizontal scroll on the right, and finally, the scroll above the door.

An example would be:

事事如意大吉祥 (shì shì rúyì dà jíxiáng) May you have good luck in everything;

家家顺心永安康 (jiā jiā shùn xīn yǒng’ān kāng) May your family be healthy and trouble-free;

四季兴隆 (sìjì xīnglóng) Be prosperous all year long.

Or:

迎新春事事如意 (yíng xīnchūn shì shì rúyì) With the spring incoming, everything goes well;

接鸿福步步高升 (jiē hóngfú bùbùgāo shēng) Good luck falls on you, and your career will bloom;

好事临门 (hǎoshì línmén) Good things are around the corner.

门神 ménshén – Gods of the Gate
People also often paste a pair of images detailing Chinese Taoist gods to drive away “evil spirits” and safeguard their house. Normally, the gods will face each other and their auspiciousness can be bolstered with additional images of 福 or matching couplets.

年画 niánhuà – New Year paintings
These propitious paintings are also hung during Spring Festival to invite good luck and add a little extra decoration to the house. They often feature gods and mascots, conventional practices, stories of the folk tales, chubby babies, happy husbands and wives, and fish (normally carp). The holiday season presents a time when last year’s picture is replaced with a new one, what is known as 辞旧迎新 (cí jiù yíngxīn), “to say goodbye to the past and welcome the future.”

剪纸 jiǎnzhǐ – Paper Cuttings
Traditional paper cuttings are usually made from red paper (by far the luckiest of Chinese colors; see below) and pasted on windows or glass. The cuttings can be a mix of characters, flowers, or pictures of the happy events that express good wishes and happiness.

红 hóng – Anything Red
Yes, red is the color of the season. The reasons are that red, hóng, is a homophone of 洪, meaning prosperity, and the color is traditionally shorthand for everything fortuitous, hence the unending sea of red packets (红包 hóngbāo) red lanterns, red couplets, red paper cuttings, red Chinese knotting (中国结 zhōngguójié), red undies … you name it, it can be found in red. Stuck as to what to wear to your Chinese friend’s house over the break? Slap some red on you and become the instant life of the party.

双喜 aka 囍 shuāng xǐ – Double Happiness
Though not specifically for Spring Festival, the character for double happiness (two characters for 喜 happiness together), apart from adorning many a cigarette packet, represents well-wishes to soon-to-be-married bride and grooms, of which there is an influx during Spring Festival given people’s penchant for celebration at this time. You’ll often see them in close proximity to the bride and groom’s house or at the wedding venue.

Photos : bjxlmc, huitu (1), zcool,  163, thmz, 1688, sina, guoku
This post first appeared on our sister site, the Beijinger. See more stories by this author here.