Chinese New Year (CNY) is an exercise in excess, starting with the train ride back home -- along with 225 million other people. The author's ride from Shenzhen to Jiujiang took 15 hours and included a (common) delay of several hours.
1. Squash into a train —
Chinese New Year (CNY) is an exercise in excess, starting with the train ride back home -- along with 225 million other people. The author's ride from Shenzhen to Jiujiang took 15 hours and included a (common) delay of several hours.
LIU JIN/ AFP/ Getty Images
During CNY, millions of families reunite to eat, drink and eat, drink some more. Meals can include more than a dozen courses and copious quantities of beer and baijiu.
2. Overindulge —
During CNY, millions of families reunite to eat, drink and eat, drink some more. Meals can include more than a dozen courses and copious quantities of beer and baijiu.
China Photos/ Getty Images
Eleven billion liters of baijiu were consumed in China in 2012. That's a third of all spirits consumed worldwide. The distilled spirit can be up to 50% alcohol by volume, making it a frequent precursor to arguments, frivolity and forgettable karaoke sessions.
3. Forget "sober" —
Eleven billion liters of baijiu were consumed in China in 2012. That's a third of all spirits consumed worldwide. The distilled spirit can be up to 50% alcohol by volume, making it a frequent precursor to arguments, frivolity and forgettable karaoke sessions.
photo by Flickr user "marko8904"
Karaoke is a popular after-dinner activity. Unfortunately baijiu often diminishes a drinker's tunefulness. Thankfully, no one cares.
4. Sing poorly ... probably —
Karaoke is a popular after-dinner activity. Unfortunately baijiu often diminishes a drinker's tunefulness. Thankfully, no one cares.
photo by Flickr user "raininglight"
Firecrackers as loud as rifle shots explode throughout CNY to ward off evil spirits. Unfortunately the "evil spirits" don't include hangovers.
5. Wake up to firecrackers —
Firecrackers as loud as rifle shots explode throughout CNY to ward off evil spirits. Unfortunately the "evil spirits" don't include hangovers.
STR/ AFP/ Getty Images
Just when you think you've survived the CNY challenge, you're off to lunch to start the whole process over. Festivities repeat each day for a week.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 —
Just when you think you've survived the CNY challenge, you're off to lunch to start the whole process over. Festivities repeat each day for a week.
Photo by Flickr user "Wang Daxiong"