Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China. It usually falls on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries. This year, Chinese New Year began on February 12th.

The origins of Chinese New Year can be traced back over 4,000 years to ancient Chinese agrarian society, when people worshipped the gods and prayed for good harvests. Later, it became a time to honor ancestors and to bring the family together. Nowadays, Chinese New Year is still a time for family reunions and celebrating with loved ones.

The traditional celebrations usually last for 15 days, starting from the New Year's Eve dinner and culminating in the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. Before the New Year's Eve, people will clean their homes thoroughly, decorate them with red lanterns, couplets, and other auspicious symbols. Red is the color of joy and happiness in Chinese culture, so everywhere you go, you will see red lanterns, red banners, and red envelopes.

During the New Year's Eve dinner, families will gather together to enjoy a feast with various traditional dishes including dumplings, fish, chicken, and rice cakes. After dinner, they may watch the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala on TV, which has become a national tradition. They will also set off fireworks or firecrackers to drive away evil spirits.

The first day of the New Year is known as the "Day of Welcome" and is usually spent visiting relatives and friends to exchange greetings and wishes. People will dress in new clothes and give red envelopes filled with money to children for good luck and blessings. This custom is called "lucky money," and it is believed to bring the recipients happiness and prosperity in the coming year.

The 15th day of the lunar year is the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Spring Festival. People will light up lanterns, solve riddles written on them, eat glutinous rice balls, and watch lion and dragon dances. The Lantern Festival symbolizes the hope and happiness of the new year, as well as the coming of spring.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese people still celebrated their New Year in various ways, including virtual family reunions and online shopping for festive goods. The government also encouraged people to stay at home and avoid large gatherings to prevent and control the spread of the virus.

In conclusion, Chinese New Year is not just a festival, but also a cultural heritage of the Chinese people. It reflects their values, customs, and aspirations. As an international student in China, I have experienced and enjoyed the atmosphere and charm of this traditional festival. I believe that Chinese New Year will continue to bring happiness, luck, and blessings to the world.