California's Chinese New Year's Rings In The Year Of The Rabbit

Did You Know? This is the year's of the Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac, and is expected to be calm and peaceful year. And, what better way to start off the year than with 15 days of food, festivals and fun that kicks off on the 3rd of February. One festival not to miss is the Tet Festival in Irvine which is hosted by the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California. This year's festival takes place over the first weekend in February. Festivities will include entertainment, food, cultural activities, and much more at the Tet Festival, which has a small admission fee.

Visit the University of California, Irvine, and you'll find several academic programs as well as local student clubs hold Asian celebrations; including festive events for Chinese New Year. In addition to these festivities, the University's Departments of Asian American Studies, and East Asian Languages and Literatures also host special events. These events include guests speakers, which also take place at the Cross Cultural Center.

The Irvine Chinese School will also host several events which are open to the public, and is a great place to enroll if you're interested in learning Chinese. Those seeking serenity can visit the Pao Fa Buddhist Temple in Irvine where you can meditate and study Buddhism. Classes are also offered at the temple on Buddhism, and in the summer they have a summer camp for children.

While in California you might want to take a cruise up the coast to San Francisco, which boast the largest Chinese New Year celebration in Chinatown. It was here many Chinese who had crossed the Pacific to the USA during the mid-19th century landed, and eventually carved their own path to freedom. Today, San Francisco´s Chinatown is famous for the signature red gate on Grant Avenue where many festivities will take place.

We've highlighted some festivities in California, now let's head to Hawaii, where Honolulu´s Chinatown is known as one of the oldest in the USA. Today, Chinatown is one of the must sees on the island of Oahu - great restaurants and food stalls, markets groaning with fresh, local produce and lots and lots of local color. The historic area with well-restored buildings transports visitors back to the bustling late-19th century.

For more festivities we'll take a trip to Bangkok to Yaowarat Road and its surrounding area in the Samphanthawong district. This Thai capital´s Chinatown is one of the oldest parts of the city and contains a labyrinth of street stalls offering all manner of trinkets, tasty treats, clothes, toys, domestic products and antiques. Sunday market days are particularly bustling and so a good time to get the full flavor of the neighborhood. The area is also known for its gold dealers, whose shops line the road, and it has long been associated with commerce and prosperity.

Have A Safe & Festive Chinese New Year!

To plan your trip to Irvine, California visit the Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau at www.irvinecvb.org or for more destinations throughout the state visit the California Travel and Tourism Commission at http://www.visitcalifornia.com.