Jiangxi-At midnight on new year’s eve, the medium-sized temple-Dongyue Temple-at Shangrao city, Jiangxi Province, were crowded with more than 100 people burning incense and making vows to the buddha.

It is an old tradition in China that those who burn incense earlier in the new year will be blessed with better fortune.

Therefore, although it was dark and cold at the temple, many people were waiting to worship the buddha after the ringing of the new year’s bell.

Winnie Wu, a civil servant, came to the temple on every new year’s eve with her family.” My parents are buddhists, and it is more sacred to celebrate this big national festival at the temple. ” She said.

Not all the people at the temple were buddhists. Some of them were just stay at the temple to enjoy the fun of the new year.

“It is very impressive to see all those people and candles at the temple. ” said Leo Hnatek, the only foreigner in the crowd.

Hnatek, from Germany, is now an exchange student at Southeast University. He came to Shangrao with his friend to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

He said:” I think the temple is the best place to experience ‘Nian Wei(atmosphere of the new year)’, because temples are rooted in Chinese culture.”

Ye Zhou, staff at the temple, received interview from Vox-Asia. Here is the audio.

Interview with Ye Zhou

“People here are showing their worship to the buddha, and showing their sincerity to the new year to wish for a better future.”

—Ye Zhou

Vox Pop Question: What do you think of visiting the temple on new year’s eve? Venue: Dongyue Temple, Shangrao	View Larger Map
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