Cross-Strait Lunar New Year: Shared Traditions Unite Mainland & Taiwan

As fireworks lit up skies from Fujian to Kinmen this Lunar New Year, communities across the Chinese mainland and Taiwan region proved cultural bonds outshine geography. From sizzling hot pots to synchronized pyrotechnics, here’s how the Spring Festival continues to bridge hearts.

Fireworks That Defy Distance

For the 37th year, Xiamen and Kinmen launched 50,000 dazzling fireworks simultaneously on New Year’s Eve – a 30-minute spectacle watched by tearful families. 'Seeing both shores glow together… it’s like our ancestors are smiling,' said Hung Tzu-i, a Taiwan native living in Xiamen.

Dumplings, Hot Pots & ‘Buddha’s Leap’

Reunion dinners featured identical staples: steaming hot pots (symbolizing unity) and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall – a Fujian-origin stew now beloved in Taiwan. 'Every bite tastes like childhood,' laughed a Taipei resident, while surveys showed 89% of families on both sides prioritize these dishes.

Ancestral Altars & Pine-Smoked Memories

Photographer Chuang Ling, whose family moved from Sichuan to Taiwan decades ago, keeps traditions alive: 'We smoke meat with pine branches, write couplets… just like Grandpa taught us.' His story mirrors millions – 72% of Taiwan households still honor mainland-rooted customs during Spring Festival, per local media.

As Taiwan’s United Daily News noted: 'The strait divides land, not culture.' This Lunar New Year, that truth shone brighter than any firework.

Reference(s):

Mainland, Taiwan share Chinese New Year traditions and celebrations

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