China Celebrates the Year of the Horse with Humanoid Robots, Fireworks and Global Lunar New Year Festivities

Ancient Traditions Meet Artificial Intelligence During Lunar New Year Celebrations

china ushered in the Year of the Horse with a remarkable blend of centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge technology, as temple fairs, incense prayers, fireworks, and humanoid robot performances marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year. From historic sites in Beijing to high-tech stages on national television, this year’s celebrations reflected both cultural continuity and China’s growing technological confidence.

Following the conclusion of the Year of the Snake, the new zodiac cycle began with nationwide festivities that combined spiritual rituals, family reunions, and state-sponsored entertainment. The Lunar New Year remains the most important annual holiday in China and across several East Asian nations, while also being widely celebrated by overseas Chinese communities around the world.

Beijing’s Temple of Earth Fair Draws Massive Crowds

In the Chinese capital, thousands gathered at the historic Temple of Earth, one of Beijing’s most iconic New Year destinations. The traditional temple fair featured vendors selling festive decorations, toys, handcrafted ornaments, and regional snacks. Red lanterns, zodiac-themed displays, and cultural performances filled the grounds, creating a vibrant atmosphere steeped in heritage.

Sun Jing, who returned to Beijing to celebrate with her parents, described the mood as deeply nostalgic and energetic.

“I haven’t felt such a strong sense of Lunar New Year festivity in a very, very long time,” she said, reflecting on how the celebrations reminded her of childhood visits to the fair.

Across Beijing and other cities, families flocked to well-known temples to burn incense and pray for prosperity, happiness, and good fortune in the year ahead. For many, these spiritual rituals remain at the heart of the Lunar New Year experience.

Humanoid Robots Headline CCTV Spring Festival Gala

While temples preserved ancient customs, modern innovation took center stage during China’s annual Spring Festival Gala broadcast on state television. As in previous years, the widely watched program became a platform for showcasing technological achievements alongside cultural performances.

One of the evening’s most talked-about segments featured humanoid robots performing martial arts routines alongside children. Developed by Unitree Robotics, the machines executed synchronized movements and even wielded swords during an extended choreographed sequence. The performance demonstrated China’s accelerating advancements in robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Technology experts view such displays as a reflection of the country’s broader ambition to lead in AI-driven industries. By integrating robotics into one of the nation’s most cherished cultural broadcasts, organizers signaled how innovation is increasingly woven into the fabric of modern Chinese identity.

Public reaction, however, was mixed. Some viewers praised the robots, saying they provide inspiration and technological direction for younger generations. Others expressed concern that the spectacle diminished the emotional warmth traditionally associated with the gala.

“It lacks a bit of the New Year atmosphere,” said Li Bo. “It’s not as enjoyable as when I was little watching the gala.”

Midnight Temple Rituals in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, thousands queued outside temples late into the night to make wishes at midnight. Incense smoke filled the air as worshippers bowed repeatedly while holding bundles of incense sticks before planting them in ceremonial burners.

For many families, being among the first to offer incense at the start of the New Year is believed to bring enhanced luck and blessings. The tradition remains one of the most spiritually significant moments of the holiday.

Vietnam’s Tet Fireworks Illuminate the Sky

Beyond China’s borders, Lunar New Year celebrations extended across Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, where the holiday is known as Tet, cities hosted outdoor countdown events featuring live entertainment and elaborate fireworks displays.

As midnight approached, light shows illuminated bridges and skyscrapers while crowds clapped in rhythm to pop music performances. The synchronized combination of fireworks and stage shows underscored the festive spirit shared across the region.

Moscow Hosts Chinese Street Festivals

In Moscow, two weeks of Lunar New Year celebrations began across various public venues in the Russian capital. Streets were decorated with red lanterns and dragon motifs, while visitors sampled Chinese cuisine from temporary kiosks.

This year marks the third consecutive Lunar New Year celebration in Moscow, coinciding with strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between China and Russia. The festivities attracted both local residents and members of the Chinese community living in the city.

Temple Bell Rings 108 Times in Taipei

In Taipei, worshippers gathered at Baoan Temple as a temple bell rang 108 times, a number considered auspicious in Buddhist tradition. The solemn ringing symbolized renewal and the cleansing of past misfortunes.

Devotees lit incense, bowed their heads, and placed colorful floral offerings on outdoor tables within the temple grounds. The ritual emphasized reflection, gratitude, and hope for the year ahead.

Buenos Aires and New York Join Global Celebrations

The Lunar New Year was also celebrated enthusiastically in Buenos Aires, where thousands gathered in Chinatown to watch martial arts exhibitions and traditional dragon and lion dances. Argentina’s Chinese immigrant community, numbering more than 180,000 people, played a central role in organizing the festivities.

In New York City, large crowds assembled in Manhattan’s Chinatown for the 28th annual Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival at Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Lion dancers performed to cheering spectators before thousands of firecrackers were ignited to ward off evil spirits and welcome prosperity.

A Global Celebration of Culture and Innovation

From incense-filled temples in Beijing and Hong Kong to AI-powered robot performances and fireworks lighting up skies from Vietnam to New York, the Year of the Horse began with a powerful display of unity between tradition and technology.

As China steps forward into a new zodiac cycle, this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations reflect a nation balancing its ancient heritage with rapid technological advancement — a narrative that resonates not only domestically but across the globe.