介绍:
Celebrated: Dec. 25
Christmas is not a public holiday in China because China doesn't have much Christian cultural influence, and most Chinese people are not Christian (only 1% officially), though it is a public holiday in Macau and Hong Kong.
However, along the coast and in the big internationally-influenced cities, it has been a big commercial success and a newly adopted festive tradition. The holiday has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, though there are regional differences and most families hardly celebrate the holiday at all.
Mainland China — Christmas only Celebrated in Big Cities
In the Mainland, in recent years, Christmas has become more and more popular and is celebrated with interest in large cities where a large number of expats live, and Western influence in greater. These cities are generally along or near China's east coast. There are more Christians there (perhaps 5% in some areas).
However, in smaller cities and countryside areas in China's interior there are far fewer Christians and the people have had less contact with foreigners, so Christmas is sometimes a foreign mystery, especially for the older generations.
The further west in China the less Christmas is celebrated, with the exception of big cities like Chengdu and Chongqing. In the far west where a lot of Muslims and more devout Buddhists live, such as in Xinjiang and Tibet, Christmas is publicly celebrated very little.
In Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
The Secular Chinese Christmas
The commercial Christmas has become a major annual event in the major cities in China. On the streets and in department stores, there are Christmas trees, lights and decorations. You'll hear Christmas music playing from the end of November. Christmas carols can be heard over the noise of the crowds shopping for the Christmas season sales and promotions. A Chinese “Father Christmas” (圣诞老人 Shèngdàn Lǎorén /shnng-dan laoww-rnn/) helps to make the scene complete.
You'll see many of the same decorations up: Christmas wreaths, Merry Christmas banners, colorful lights, and the same sorts of ornaments. Most of these decorations bought in the West are made in China anyway!
For young people, it's a chance to get together with friends and have Christmas parties. These might be held at a friend's house, McDonald's, karaoke cafe, restaurant, or bar. There is a festive atmosphere, and people enjoy the decorations and unusual music.
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