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Barcelona dresses up in Chinese colours and traditions to welcome the Year of the Wooden Dragon. From February 10th to January 28th we mark the beginning of the year 4722 in the Chinese calendar. Organised by the Huaxing Artists Association with many collaborating entities, the city is transformed into a vibrant scene of concerts, traditional dances and exquisite cuisine.
Don’t miss the opportunity to discover this celebration, also known as the ‘Spring Festival’ by visiting some of Barcelona’s many Chinese restaurants specialising in delicious, authentic recipes. All offer special menus during the festivities that incorporate the symbols of the dragon and the colour red, notably emblematic dishes such as jiaozi or steamed sea bass.
The big event at the Arc de Triomf
Chinese New Year festivities last 15 days when many activities will focus on various aspects of Chinese culture, such as language, traditions and folklore. Taking place in different parts of the city, they fuse with Catalan culture, amalgamating elements such as dragons, lions, human towers and giants, and of course demonstrations of martial arts.
The highlight is on Saturday, February 3rd at Paseo Lluís Companys / Arc de Triomf, with a parade, shows and a gastronomic and cultural fair open from 10am to 8pm. This collaboration between the Fundació Institut Confuci de Barcelona, Casa Asia, the City Council and the Consulate General of the PR of China in Barcelona, brings a complete program to life. The city of Barcelona is filled with activities bringing you closer to ancient Chinese culture.
The gastronomic fair offers the opportunity to taste the most traditional dishes of Chinese cuisine. From ‘Zongzi‘ rice, wrapped in bamboo leaf, to Qingtian beef soup or Chinese crepes and pizzas, you can immerse yourself in a tasty experience. Kite-making or lantern-making workshops and the chance to try on a ‘qipao‘, the traditional Chinese dress, make this celebration an experience for the whole family.
Explore Chinese gastronomy in Barcelona
Discover the fascinating Chinese restaurants that flourish in our city, especially those that for years have stood out from the rest. This is the case of the innovative Melo-Jia, whose menu highlights the importance of yin and yang, achieving a perfect harmony of flavours, temperatures, colours and texture. Their dishes include puffed and toasted Ku-Bak rice, soy sauce-infused prawns, and seafood shumai with scallops.
More informal is the offering of Dr. Zhang, an artisanal dumpling bar known for its authenticity and dedication to traditional Chinese flavours. Another is Boa-Bao restaurant, whose name refers to the eight treasures of Chinese art. The restaurant celebrates the holiday with a special menu that includes steamed pork jiaozi with Chinese chives. Another restaurant, not-to-be-missed is Chongqing Liuyishou Hotpot, specialising in Mongolian hotpot or ‘huo guo‘, where you cook your food in a pot in the centre of your table.
The most elegant restaurants and hotels
For a truly elegant celebration, Shanghai and Kao Dim Sum restaurants offer a selection of specialties from all over China but with a European touch. Their pig’s feet crests and truffle noodles are famous in the city, and for these dates they offer a special menu with dishes that just like the ancient egg, are only eaten on special occasions. Along the same lines, China Crown offers imperial-inspired cuisine in a house designed by Antoni Gaudí.
Prestigious hotels also join the celebration, including the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona. Year after year, they offer a special menu just for the occasion, accompanied by workshops, a brunch with the traditional lion dance, treatments at its spa and gifts such as ‘hongbao‘ – red envelopes with chocolate coins. El Palace Barcelona also joins the celebrations offering a Chinese Afternoon Tea with premium tea tasting.
A short history of the dragon
Each Chinese New Year stars a different animal from the horoscope. The dragon (龙 lóng) is a benevolent symbol that represents strength and status with an image recognizable by its majesty. Those born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024 share the influence of this mythological being.
In 2024, the element associated with this animal is wood, symbolising imagination and adaptability. Combined with the dragon, the embodiment of honor and power, we anticipate a period of innovation and change so this year is an opportunity to undertake new projects, explore creativity and take full advantage of professional growth.
The predominance of the colour red during celebrations also has a deep meaning. Lanterns, envelopes with money and decorations use this hue as protection against bad energies. Firecrackers, lanterns and red clothing become essential elements in the parades, while the dragon dance seeks to attract good luck.
We wish you all a very happy year!
