除夕

New Year’s Eve, or the last night of the year in Chinese lunar calendar, is called Chuxi. It is an extraordinary day in China because the old year and new year meet during this night. Since Chuxi in Chinese means removing the old, most of the activities during New Year’s Eve centers on removing the old and evil and pray for the best.

中国农历每年最后一天、也就是新年前夜被称为“除夕”。这一天在中国是特别的一天，因为新与旧在这天夜里交替。因为除夕在中文里的意思是除旧，所以大部分除夕夜里的习俗也是和除去旧恶、祈求幸福相关。

The customs on Chuxi Day in different districts are almost the same; while in some places, the customs are quite special, such as in Suzhou, Beijing and Taiwan. When staying up late in Suzhou, people always wait for the bell ring from the Hanshan Temple, which is a sign of the coming year; Beijing people hold Caisui activity by stepping on the sesame straw paved in the courtyard; In Taiwan, people will put a firepan under the table when have dinner and the daughters-in-law will stay up late in the New Year’s Eve, the later, the better (It is said that the elders will enjoy longevity by this way).

除夕夜的习俗在大部分的地区都是相似的，不过在某些地方也有特别的习惯，比如苏州、北京和台湾。在苏州，人们会等候寒山寺里的钟声，它预示着新年的到来;在北京，人们会“踩岁”——用脚踩踏铺在地上的芝麻穗;在台湾，人们把火盆放在年夜饭桌下。做儿媳妇的要在除夕夜里守岁，越晚越好(因为传说家中长辈这样才能长寿)。

There are many activities on New Year’s Eve / Chuxi Day, which mainly include sticking New Year scrolls (spring scrolls), enjoying family reunion dinner, Shousui (stay up late at night), sacrifice offering and setting off fireworks.

其他在除夕夜的习俗还包括贴春联、吃团圆饭、守岁(熬夜)、拜祭和放烟火。