The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together,just like Christmas in the West.All people living away from home go back,becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival.Airports,railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.
Strictly speaking,the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year.Of them,the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days.The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Many customs accompany the Spring Festival.Some are still followed today,but others have weakened.
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month,many families make laba porridge,a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice,millet,seeds of Job's tears,jujube berries,lotus seeds,beans,longan and gingko.
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve.At this time,people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god.Now however,most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves.