Welcoming Chinese New Year of the Dog 2018

Join us to celebrate Chinese New Year 2018! Expect celebrations across London as people welcome the Year of the Dog, including a colourful parade in Chinatown, performances in Trafalgar Square, and a packed programme of events at China Exchange to get those tails wagging!

 

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#snapCNY18 Instagram Competition

Thursday 15 February – Friday 23 February 

Our Chinese New Year (CNY) Instagram competition returns in 2018 to welcome the Year of the Dog. To enter, post your CNY photos on Instagram using the hashtag #snapCNY18 from 15-23 February. Photos must be posted by 23:59 on 23 February to be considered. Submissions will be reviewed and a selection of winning shots that convey CNY in London will be selected for a March Popup exhibition at China Exchange.

 

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Postcards from Chinatown

12:00 – 16:00 | Sunday 18 February

Free

During parade day, China Exchange will host a Spring festival postcard-making workshop open to all. Take a seat at the table, hear more about the traditions and symbolism of Chinese New Year and let your creativity run wild. Once complete, post your card in our special New Year’s post box and enjoy the reaction from the card’s lucky recipient.

 

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Hello Baijiu! A Tasting & Cocktail Masterclass

18:30 – 20:00 | Tuesday 20 February 2018

From £15

Did you know that Chinese baijiu is the world’s most consumed spirit? Come join us for a baijiu masterclass to taste the differences in baijiu aromas while hearing about the methods and history of its production and the social context in which it’s enjoyed. Tickets price includes shots of baijiu and a specially prepared baijiu cocktail.

 

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Puppy Love : Dogs as Therapy

18:30 – 19:30 | Wednesday 21 February 2018

£6

Feeling ruff? Come and meet our friendly pups and welcome the Chinese Year of the Dog. An expert speaker will guide you through the world of therapeutic pets, explaining how pets help enhance the lives of people in need – bringing them joy and comfort.

 

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Tea Time at China Exchange: A Market Celebrating All Things Tea

12:00 – 18:00 | Friday 23 to Sunday 25 February 2018

Free

Join us at tea market to celebrate all things tea, from tea pots and tea leaves, to books and decorative items. Come and find your favourite cuppa!

 

Chinese Tea Ceremony: An Introduction to Gong Fu Cha With The Chinese Tea Company 

14:00 – 15:00 | Friday 23, Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 February 2018

Free 

Gong Fu Cha, otherwise known as a type of Chinese tea ceremony, is a time-honoured approach to tea preparation that produces the ultimate tea drinking experience. Tea masters from the Chinese Tea Company will explain how this living tradition is still practised in China today, and teach you some ancient techniques to create a little bit of tea magic at home!

 

Jujube Fruit: Heritage, Benefits and How to Eat – By Abakus Food 

16:00 – 17:00 Friday 23 | 15:00 – 16:00 Saturday 24 | 16:00 – 17:00 Sunday 25 February 

Free 

The unique properties of jujube fruit have been known in East Asia for generations, but only now is this mysterious fruit starting to be recognised internationally as the new ‘super’ food. Helen Wang, founder of Abakus Foods, will share her story of why she was inspired to bring jujube to the UK, explain the history of the fruit, and how you can reap the benefits yourself. You’ll be able to sample free tastings of different jujube snacks and some delicious jujube tea.

 

Thyme for tea: herbal tea making workshop

12:15 – 14:15 | Saturday 24 February 2018

From £18 

Come and make your perfect brew with our herbal tea blending workshop at China Exchange. Guided by herb experts from Hackney Herbal, you’ll discover how herbs are prepared for infusions, the special properties of different herbs, and learn to blend your own herbal tea bags to take away.

 

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Battle of Tea Time 

15:30 – 16:30 | Saturday 24 February 2018

£6

Join us for a light-hearted, but none-the-less competitive, debate between Team GB represented by Fortnum and Mason and Team China represented by China Tang at the Dorchester to determine which nation is the king of tea time. Both teams will battle it out to persuade you, the audience, to vote for them.

 

Health & Well-Being: How Green Tea and Other Ancient Chinese Fruit & Botanicals Can Keep Us Well  

16:45 – 17:15 | Saturday 24 February 2018

Free 

Come and learn from Sophia Nadur, Co-Founder of TG Green teas, why green tea, osmanthus, ginseng, ginger, lemon and other familiar (and not so familiar) fruit, roots and herbs that originate in China have been used since ancient times to keep people healthy and how we can do the same today.

 

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Hantastic! Chinese Traditional Dress Experience

13:30 – 15:30 | Sunday 25 February 2018

£24

Transform into a historical beauty or Prince Charming in authentic reproductions of han fu 汉服. Our dressers will also style your hair and apply light make-up to complete the picture. Experience traditional Han Chinese dress, known as han fu 汉服, and have a full make-over.

 

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Xiaoshuijing Farmer’s Choir: Chinese New Year concert 富民县小水井苗族农民合唱团

17:15 – 18:00 | Sunday 25 February 2018

£6

See the acclaimed Xiaoshuijing Farmer’s Choir at China Exchange as part of their first ever international tour. The choir, which is 50 members strong, will perform pieces from Handel’s Messiah and traditional Yunnan folk songs, in an uplifting performance to ring in Chinese New Year.