Chinese New Year’s Eve: Reunion, Fireworks in Southern Hubei Mountains

March 24, 2026

Chinese New Year’s Eve: Reunion, Fireworks in Southern Hubei Mountains

The Warmth of the Reunion Meal and the Taste of Home in the Fine Rain

The twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month marks Chinese New Year's Eve, signaling the close of the 2025 Lunar Year. In the Southern Hubei mountains, a fine, chilling rain fell, making the sky appear somewhat gloomy. I woke up earlier than usual to help my father carefully paste the bright red Spring Couplets onto the doorframes using a homemade paste. As soon as the couplets were up, the entire mountain village began to exude a rich, thick New Year atmosphere.

According to local custom, the New Year's Eve dinner is typically enjoyed around noon. Consequently, my parents spent the entire morning busying themselves for this grand feast. Local specialty dishes like yugao (fish cake) and egg rolls are Chinese New Year exclusives, and the table would never lack a whole fish, symbolizing the beautiful wish for "nian nian you yu" (surplus year after year).

The moment for the New Year's Eve meal finally arrived. We lit incense sticks and candles into the soil outside the front door, set off firecrackers, and then closed the door. The family gathered around to enjoy this reunion dinner.

After the meal, the adults settled into their routine entertainment—playing Mahjong. The introduction of Mahjong machines has eliminated the arduous work of hand-shuffling the tiles. The children, meanwhile, were immersed in their own world, playing games on their phones.

Before we knew it, dusk was settling in. Due to the overcast and rainy weather, the evening arrived earlier than on clear days. The winter plum blossoms outside the door were in full bloom, with crystal raindrops clinging to their petals, reflecting the unique charm of a winter rain day. Leaning in for a closer smell, a light, subtle fragrance wafted through, refreshing the heart.

Dinner was eaten at my third uncle's house. Because of the cold weather, a charcoal stove was prepared under the dining table for warmth. The table still featured a familiar array of local specialties, including spare ribs and lotus root soup, suoyi wanzi (steamed glutinous rice balls), and braised pork with preserved vegetables (Meicai Kourou). For me, someone who has lived away from home for many years, these dishes embody the most unforgettable tastes of my memory.

After dinner, the family gathered around the stove to "shou sui" (stay up late on New Year's Eve). Everyone toasted themselves by the fire, chatting about family life; tea, snacks, and fruits were, naturally, indispensable.

On New Year's Eve, every household keeps its lights bright and burning all night long. This tradition symbolizes the expulsion of evil spirits and pestilence, and also carries the meaning of being filled with wealth in the coming year. Amidst the sound of fireworks bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, we welcomed the New Year.