Chinese hope for more traditional Lunar New Year

A survey released by China Youth Daily shows that about 93 percent Chinese people believe that the Chinese Lunar New Year is becoming less traditional, and they hope government could restore it to what it was in the old days.

There were a total of 1,280 people involved into the survey, and about 5 percent of them did not think the way people celebrate Lunar New Year has become less traditional. Nearly 64 percent of these people spent the national holiday in cities, while 21 percent of them experienced the days mainly in countryside.

84 percent say fireworks necessary part of celebration

Setting off fireworks is a tradition to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year, but some cities started to ban the practice due to safety and environmental problems few years ago. The regulation has triggered great debates among citizens.

A majority of people believe that setting off fireworks could bring damage to the environment and accidents, 72.3 percent and 63.8 percent, respectively. But more people, 77.2 percent, prefer limitations on fireworks to certain places and periods of time rather than an outright ban. Also, nearly 40 percent people believe it would not be Chinese Lunar New Year if fireworks were forbidden.

Still, 84 percent people admit that the lifestyles of living in cities and villages are different, but to set off fireworks in cities is still necessary. However, 70.3 percent of these people think it should not impact most people's rest, and 14.2 percent think that fireworks should not be allowed in cities.

How to keep the "flavor" of the Lunar New Year

When asked what should be done to keep the "flavor" of the Chinese Lunar New Year alive, most of the respondents think the best way is to keep and resume traditional customs.

Among dozens of traditional customs for the Lunar New Year, getting together with family was the most important tradition for respondents. Others include paying New Year wishes, pasting Spring Festival couplets, New Year's Eve family dinner, setting off fireworks, giving Ya Sui Qian, cleaning ashes, paying tribute to ancestors and so on.

In addition, some new customs, such as sending wishes through cell phone messages and watching CCTV Spring Festival Gala, are becoming increasingly important to the public.

In the survey, about 92.6 percent people think government should do something to keep those traditions alive.