2010 - The Year of the Tiger!

Chinese New Year this year celebrates the year of the Tiger. This is especially auspicious for us and we have been celebrating hard and looking forward to a really busy 2010. People born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 were all born in the year of the tiger. People born in the year of the tiger are said to be sensitive, emotional, deep thinking and capable of great sympathy. They are also said to be courageous and powerful but can  be risk takers, very short- tempered and suspicious. Traditionally great careers for Tigers include leadership, explorers, and evenracing car drivers!



Chinese New Year, also known as the “Spring Festival”, coincided with Valentine’s Day this year making it extra special for westerners and the Chinese alike. The Chinese know how to celebrate and this year in Chiang Mai was no exception. Chinatown was bustling, food stalls everywhere and decorations, especially red lanterns, not to mention hundreds of people, filled the streets.
The celebrations usually include a flamboyant parade and show, with the traditional dragon dance an essential part of the festivities. The Chinese New Year Dragon Dance shows off the best of Chinese traditions and customs. Dragons are greatly respected in China. There is a long held belief that the people are descendants of the dragon, an age old conviction which is firmly embedded in the heart and soul of every Chinese. In western cultures dragons are usually regarded as symbols of evil whereas in China the dragon is held in high esteem for its supernatural power, goodness, fertility and vigilance.

In the dance, a team of dancers carry a dragon on poles. The longer the dragon the more luck it will bring to the local community and the Chiang Mai dragon was meters long, no doubt bringing prosperity to the whole town. Let’s hope so! The dance was mightily impressive too. The lead dancers lift, dip, thrust, and sweep the head, while its animated features are controlled by a dancer. The dance troop mimics the supposed movements of this winged creature in a wicked and undulating manner. Traditional musical accompaniment, with drums, cymbals and gongs add to the atmosphere. Chiang Mai’s China town reverberated under the noise and experiencing this for the first time was very exciting.


The pinnacle of the show was the climbing of the dragon up a pole 15 meters high - balanced and helped up by at least 8 Chinese guys stationed ( and clipped on for safety I am pleased to add) at intervals up the pole. This spectacular feat culminated in an impressive fire cracker / fire work show from the dragon’s mouth and eyes!!




The Crouching Tiger team wish everyone a very happy Chinese new year of the Tiger – This is the year for you to pounce on an experience of a lifetime. Why not join us on a special cycling trip – discover Asia with us and take home some wonderful memories. We can’t promise dragons but the Crouching Tiger Team are ready and willing to give you that holiday you thought was only for dreams!!