The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as Spring
Festival, is the most important festival for the Chinese. It｀s a time when
families get together to eat, drink and be merry, among other things like
spending lots of money, according to a survey results from the Social Survey
Institution of China (SSIC) released on Monday.
According to Wang Xing, poll center director of SSIC, the survey was
conducted in more than 10 cities in China, including Beijing,
Shanghai,
Guangzhou,
Shenzhen, Chongqing,
Zhengzhou,
Nanjing,
Wuhan,
Changsha,
Shenyang,
Harbin
and Shijiazhuang.
A total of 2,000 respondents participated through telephone interviews or
questionnaires.
A time for travel
Because Spring Festival is still the most important festival in the year for
most people, it is usually a time for a holiday. About 40% of respondents said
they would visit friends and relatives; 34% said that they will stay at home;
16% have travel plans; 4% will work during the holiday; 3% will read, and 3%
responded "Others".
The seven days of public holidays during this time also spell boom time for
the tourism industry. According to the survey, for those planning to travel, 51%
of them will choose group tours and 49% will choose independent travel. Many
will travel within China. Of those who would travel out of the mainland, Hong
Kong was the top choice.
Sending New Year greetings
The survey shows that 41% of respondents will send their greetings by SMS
(short message service); 36% by telephone; 18% through house visits; 3% by
e-mail, e-cards or Internet video; and only 2% will send greeting cards.
Spending money during Spring Festival
Spring Festival is typically a time when people spend a lot of money. About
21% of respondents said that they will spend less than 1,000 yuan (US$124)
during the festival; 43% will spend between 1,000 and 3,000 yuan (US$124-372);
22% will spend between 3,000 and 5,000 yuan (US$372-620); 6% will spend between
5,000 and 10,000 yuan (US$620-1,240); and 8% expect to spend over 10,000 yuan
(US$1,240).
What they｀re spending their money on
This was a multiple choice question and the collated responses showed that
41% of respondents will buy goods for the New Year; 37% will buy new clothes;
41% will give red packets; 67% will spend on entertainment and dining; 34% will
buy gifts for friends and relatives; 16% will travel; and 14% will buy home
appliances, furniture, mobile phones and other necessities which might be on
sale during the festival.
Traditionally, family members spend their time together preparing the New
Year｀s Eve dinner, regarded as the most important dinner in the year.
However, increased affluence over the years has given people a reason to dine
out, which is slowly becoming the trend.
The survey shows that about 40% of respondents will dine out, and among them,
45% said that they will spend less than 1,000 yuan (US$124) on the meal, 24%
will spend between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan (US$124-248), 18% will spend between
2,000 and 3,000 yuan (US$248-372), 6% will spend between 3,000 and 5,000 yuan
(US$372-620), and 7% will likely spend over 5,000 yuan (US$620).
Gifts for friends and family are also high on the list of expenses for the
festive season. 57% of respondents said that they would choose health products;
49% wine or liquor; 43% pre-packed gift boxes or hampers; 46% would give fruits;
14% local products; 11% cultural or culture-related products; 7% would buy
clothes; and 16% would choose gifts which have a special meaning or buy
something that their friends or relatives actually need.
Buying tickets to get home
Many of the respondents are people who have gone to the cities to work, and
many go home to celebrate Spring Festival with their families. The festive
season is the busiest period for airlines, railways and long-distance buses, and
it is extremely difficult to get a ticket home during this time. About 53% of
respondents complained about how difficult it was to buy tickets; 60% choose to
take the train, and 65% did not agree with raising ticket prices during the
festive period.
Yearning for a return to tradition
Some 63% of respondents said that the New Year has become tasteless and lacks
tradition; 19% think that the New Year has become simpler and less complicated;
8% think that it is just an excuse to spend money; and 10% think that Spring
Festival is now no different from the Labor Day or National
Day holidays.
Editor: Joey
