All Under Heaven Are One Family, and Spring Arrives Across Thousands of Miles! Chinese New Year Through the Eyes of International Students of BIGC

2026-02-26

The warmth of the New Year crosses mountains, seas, and national borders,

growing ever stronger through cultural exchange.

The red of Spring Festival couplets scented with ink,

the steaming taste of reunion,

and the joyful folk songs accompanied by resounding gongs and drums

have become vivid windows through which Beiyin international students from afar

perceive China and come to understand China.

May the beauty of the New Year continue to flourish through mutual learning among civilizations.

Let us step into these warm moments together

and feel the joy and connection hidden within cross-cultural experiences.

Chinese New Year in Beijing Through My Eyes

Language Student: Eyas Khattab (Jordan)

This was not my first time spending Spring Festival in Beijing. However, every year feels a little different. This year, I chose to stay in Beijing. I did not plan any special trip; I simply wanted to quietly experience the festive atmosphere of the city.

A few days before the holiday, I noticed that Beijing was slowly becoming different. Red lanterns were hung along the streets, and Spring Festival couplets and the Chinese character “Fu” were pasted at the entrances of shops. There were far fewer people in the subway, and the usually crowded streets became much more spacious. It seemed as if the city had slowed down.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, I prepared a simple reunion dinner for myself. To better experience the festive atmosphere, I specially made some traditional dishes, such as dumplings and fish. It was the first time I had seriously tried to make dumplings. Although their shapes were not perfect, I still felt very satisfied when I saw a plate of steaming dumplings after they were cooked. Fish symbolizes abundance year after year. When I placed the dishes on the table, I suddenly felt that this Spring Festival had become more meaningful. For me, it was not just a meal, but also a sense of ritual. Even preparing just a few simple dishes was my own way of welcoming the New Year.

In the evening, I watched some programs from the Spring Festival Gala on my phone. At that moment, I suddenly realized that the meaning of Spring Festival does not necessarily lie only in liveliness and excitement. It can also be peaceful. What matters is the attitude with which you welcome it.

During the Spring Festival holiday, I went for a walk in a nearby park. The weather was cold, but the sunshine was beautiful. In the park, some parents were taking photos with their children, some people were chatting under the trees, and others were walking with small lanterns in their hands. As I walked slowly and looked at these ordinary scenes, I felt a sense of peace that belongs to the holiday.

Spending Spring Festival in Beijing has helped me understand the city better. On ordinary days, it is fast-paced and busy, but during Spring Festival, it becomes gentle. As an international student, I truly cherish this experience. Perhaps many years from now, I may not remember exactly what dishes I cooked, but I will remember the feeling of carefully preparing dumplings and walking under the winter sunshine.

2023 Undergraduate Program in Communication: Uddin Asfarah Maisha Salah (Bangladesh)

Seeking the Spring Festival vibe

2025 Graduate Program in Information and Communication Engineering: Gayratov Azizbek (Uzbekistan)

International Students Spring Festival Fair

Spending Spring Festival in Beijing had always been my dream. As someone who has always been fascinated by Chinese culture, experiencing Spring Festival in the capital exceeded all my expectations. The memories I made during this festival will stay with me forever.

The most meaningful part of the celebration took place at school. The school organized a special gathering for international students who stayed in Beijing for the New Year. To our surprise, our teachers and school leaders came to visit us in person. President Tian Zhongli, who is my favorite teacher, taught us how to write the Chinese character “Fu” with a brush and ink. In addition, we played many games together and won interesting prizes. Although we were far away from home, these kind gestures deeply touched my heart. They made us feel valued and cared for, and made me feel that Beijing was my home.

This Spring Festival in Beijing taught me that the meaning of celebration does not depend on where you come from, but on the connections you build and the people with whom you share them. Although I missed my family, I found a new family among my friends and teachers. The school’s celebration created an experience that was both authentically Chinese and personally meaningful. Beijing during Spring Festival was not just a place; it was a feeling of hope, renewal, and belonging, a feeling I will carry with me forever.

2024 Graduate Program in MBA:  Hassan Mubashir(Pakistan)

Experience Chinese New Year

2023 Undergraduate Program in Communication: Amos Felix (Nigeria)

In September 2023, in autumn, I came to Beijing, China for the first time to begin my undergraduate studies. Coming from Africa, I experienced autumn for the first time. Soon after, in February 2024, I experienced my first Spring Festival in Beijing, and it was simply amazing. The streets were beautifully decorated, and the air was filled with joy and festivity.

Fast forward to 2026, and I have been living in China for almost three years. Whenever the Lunar New Year arrives, I can still feel the same excitement. This year, as I walked through Beijing’s ancient hutongs, I said “Happy New Year” to the Chinese people I met. They always responded very warmly, with kind smiles on their faces. I was very happy because now I can join in giving New Year greetings just like the locals.

As an African student studying in China, I had already prepared myself mentally for the fact that some cultural customs would take time to fully understand and appreciate. But I do not think Spring Festival is one of them. I believe everyone can easily appreciate and embrace the celebrations of Spring Festival because they revolve around an important cornerstone of society: family. Spring Festival is one of those holidays when family members gather and celebrate together. This idea is not difficult for me to understand because in my own country, we also have many such festivals, and we also prioritize spending time with family.

Understanding the meaning of Spring Festival and seeing how it is celebrated also made me think of home—my family, relatives, loved ones, and the way we strengthen our bonds through delicious meals, warm conversations, and time spent together. It reminded me of my grandparents and my aunts, who would often say that I had grown taller since the last time they saw me. We always had such a good time together. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, from my calls with my Chinese friends, I could clearly feel that Chinese people experience the same warmth and joy during Spring Festival.

I believe some festivals can withstand the test of time and globalization, and Spring Festival is one of them. It is not only because I can now look at beautiful red decorations and understand what they represent, such as the red couplets on doors that symbolize warding off evil and avoiding misfortune, or the red lanterns that symbolize reunion. More importantly, it is because this festival centers on “family,” something that everyone, no matter which country they come from, can appreciate, embrace, and deeply resonate with.

2025 Undergraduate Program in Computer Science: Volkov Artem (Russia)

This was my first time spending Spring Festival in Beijing. A Chinese friend invited me to celebrate the New Year at his home, and I was very touched by the invitation.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, I walked alone through the streets of Beijing. Red lanterns hung high, and Spring Festival couplets and the character “Fu” were pasted at shop entrances. I stopped at a small stall and tried writing the character “Fu” by myself for the first time. Although I knew my writing was a little crooked, the owner selling the couplets looked at it and said it was beautiful. I knew it was not really true, but at that moment, I suddenly understood that what mattered was not how perfect the writing was, but that I had taken part in the tradition and made the people around me smile.

That evening, I went to my friend’s home for the New Year’s Eve dinner. As soon as I entered, his family warmly welcomed me, which made me feel very comfortable and touched. We made dumplings together. I tried hard to follow their example, but the dumplings I made looked more like Russian dumplings: small, a little clumsy, and different in shape. Everyone laughed when they saw them, but they still put my dumplings into the pot to cook with the others. To my surprise, many people said they tasted good and even praised their cute shapes. At that moment, I was truly happy. I discovered that cooking together really creates a sense of closeness, as if we had known each other for many years.

After dinner, my friend’s grandmother gave me a red envelope and said, “Happy New Year.” I felt a little nervous and did not know how to respond to this gesture full of blessings. After thinking for a moment, I took a small red dragon-shaped keychain from my pocket. I had won it from a vending machine a few days earlier. I gave it to Grandma and said it was my New Year gift. She was a little surprised, but smiled and said thank you. Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere at that moment was especially warm.

That night, I realized that although I was far away from my own country, I was not alone. Spring Festival is not only a festival of reunion; it is also a festival of sharing and acceptance.

This Spring Festival in Beijing allowed me to truly experience another meaning of “home.”

2023 Undergraduate Program in Computer Science: Barnabas Kilima (Tanzania)

Spring Festival is China’s most important traditional festival, and this year I was fortunate enough to experience it in Beijing. As an international student, celebrating Spring Festival in the capital gave me a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, family values, and festive customs. For me, it was not merely an experience during the holiday, but also an important opportunity to gain deeper insight into traditional Chinese culture.

Before Spring Festival, Beijing was already filled with a strong festive atmosphere. Red lanterns hung along the streets, and shopping malls were decorated with bright red banners and the character “Fu.” In many neighborhoods, I saw people buying Spring Festival couplets and paper-cut decorations to hang on their doors and windows. Red was everywhere, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. Even the cold winter days did not diminish the festive atmosphere in the air.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, I did not choose to stay indoors. Instead, I decided to go out and experience the city’s festive atmosphere in a livelier way. I went to a traditional temple fair with several classmates. At the entrance, bright red lanterns and colorful lights were hung everywhere. Although the winter wind was cold, the atmosphere was warm and festive. The market was crowded with people gathering happily, their faces full of smiles as they immersed themselves in the joy of the holiday. There were also many wonderful activities to watch. Some folk artists performed traditional lion dances, while other stalls displayed sugar painting and calligraphy skills. I was especially attracted by the superb craftsmanship and patience required to create these beautiful works of art. We also tasted a variety of traditional snacks. The sweet and warm food made the experience even more enjoyable.

During the holiday, I also visited some of Beijing’s famous scenic spots and felt the strong festive atmosphere. At the Temple of Heaven, I saw many people wearing traditional clothing and taking photos. Under the clear winter sky, the ancient buildings looked even more magnificent. I also walked along Qianmen Street, where shops lined both sides of the road and red lanterns hung high. The street was bustling with tourists and local residents, some enjoying snacks and others buying New Year gifts. This lively scene made me truly feel the unique charm of Beijing during Spring Festival.

Through this experience, I realized that Spring Festival is not only about celebration, but also about reunion, gratitude, and good wishes for the future. As an international student, I felt the warm welcome and sincere care of the people around me. Celebrating Spring Festival in Beijing allowed me to experience Chinese culture from a closer and more personal perspective.

In my eyes, Spring Festival in Beijing is vibrant, warm, and full of life. It is a festival that fills the entire city with tradition and joy. This unforgettable experience will always be engraved in my heart as a special chapter of my life in China.

20235 Undergraduate Program in Computer Science: Abdoulie Barrow (Gambia)

The Spring Festival is the warmest and most vibrant time of the year in Beijing. As an international student at Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, I often find myself rushing between a busy campus and the fast pace of this modern metropolis. However, the arrival of the Spring Festival allowed me to see a completely different side of Beijing—it is not only a bustling city, but also a place filled with warmth and cultural charm.

   During the holiday, I made a special trip to Kangzhuang Park, located in Daxing District, Beijing. The moment I stepped into the park, I felt as if I had entered a world of red and festivity. Red lanterns hung high along the pathways, gently swaying in the winter breeze, and traditional holiday decorations adorned the entire park, making it lively and vibrant. Although the wind was biting cold, it could not overshadow the warmth that seemed to fill the air.

In the park, people were strolling, taking photos, and playing, and laughter echoed all around. Children ran and chased one another, parents smiled as they accompanied them, and elderly people leisurely enjoyed the scenery. Witnessing this scene, I felt the deeper meaning behind the Spring Festival—reunion, companionship, and the warmth of family. As an international student far from home, being surrounded by such a strong festive atmosphere made me both moved and comforted.

As I walked, I noticed many distinctive Spring Festival decorations: red banners, paper-cuttings, and auspicious ornaments, all conveying heartfelt wishes for the New Year. Although I am still learning to understand Chinese characters, the joy and hope expressed through colors and atmosphere touched my heart directly. The Spring Festival is not only a lively celebration; it is also a transmission of culture and a reflection of warmth within communities and families.

What moved me even more was the friendly interaction among people in the park. Strangers exchanged smiles, families and friends took photos together, and the air was filled with happiness and kindness. As a foreign student, I never felt lonely or out of place; instead, I was embraced by this warmth and hospitality. It made me realize deeply that the true charm of festivals lies in their power to connect people, no matter where they come from.

Spending the Spring Festival in Beijing also led me to reflect on the traditional holidays in my own country. Although the forms may differ, the core meaning remains the same—being with loved ones, reviewing the past, and looking forward to the future. This shared human emotion has deepened my understanding and respect for Chinese culture and strengthened my emotional connection with this city.

In conclusion, my Spring Festival experience at Kangzhuang Park was both heartwarming and unforgettable. It allowed me to see a Beijing that is both modern and rich in traditional charm. As an international student at Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, I felt the warmth of home and the power of culture. This memory will remain forever engraved in my life and studies in China.

 

As Golden Horses Leap into the Spring Breeze,
the Cultural Legacy Lives On

May this cultural resonance, born in the warmth of the New Year,
carry fine traditional Chinese culture farther through mutual learning and exchange.

May every international student, during their time at BIGC,
gain knowledge and friendship,
and carry forward the warmth and beauty of the Spring Festival.

May you ride ahead with courage,
make the most of your youth,
and embrace renewal year after year,
with vitality that continues without end.