Firecrackers echoed across Beijing’s hutongs while Shanghai’s skyline dazzled with digital dragon projections this week as billions celebrated Lunar New Year – the first major cultural event of 2026. From Manila’s Chinatown to San Francisco’s parade floats, the Year of the Horse galloped in with tech-infused traditions 🌏🏮.
Here’s what made this celebration stand out:
🇨🇳 Next-gen traditions: Drone shows featuring galloping holographic horses replaced some fireworks in the Chinese mainland, blending eco-awareness with spectacle
🌐 Virtual red envelopes: Overseas communities used AR filters to share digital hóngbāo via WeChat and TikTok
🎭 K-pop meets lion dance: Seoul’s Myeongdong district saw BTS-inspired mask designs during Korean-Lunar New Year festivities
Meanwhile, Taiwan region’s Pingxi Lantern Festival drew 200,000+ visitors releasing sky lanterns with AI-generated wishes – one reading 'Stable cross-strait ties' went viral 📸.
Travelers take note ✈️: Major Asian airlines added 300+ extra flights this week, while hotels from Kuala Lumpur to Osaka reported 95% occupancy rates. Pro tip for 2027: Book your Lunar New Year getaway now!
