What an interesting glimpse into the history of the Chinese New Year as it is celebrated in China! Having only been to celebrations in New York and San Francisco, I loved reading about traditions that didn't make it over here, and are no longer allowed there, like burning the kitchen god.

Previous posters have mentioned that traditions like that one would have fallen by the wayside in the 21st century anyway, but whether or not that's even true, it's beside the point.

It will be interesting to see what comes of the new direction Hu's taking on religion as the Olympics come and go...

I hope to hear more reporting from this writer soon.

Those chinese new year traditions were going to die by themselves anyway. Nobody wants to kowtow anymore, and there's no reason to do any of this. I even asked some older (50+) Chinese people and they haven't heard of the kitchen god. It's probably a local tradition that's geared toward a specific segment of the population and region, like polygamy, or slavery. Should we be nostalgic and bring those back, because the government in the US banned them? How about getting out of beijing and letting the Chinese do what they want? Women's rights and gender income equality have gone way down since market capitalism has been reintroduced in China. Is that a good thing?

"It's probably a local tradition that's geared toward a specific segment of the population and region, like polygamy, or slavery."

What a racist comment!!!

Hi,

I am failing to see exactly what is racist here?

Same here.

Her statement that burning of the kitchen god is not allowed is just wrong and misleading. The cultural revolution times are long over in China as anyone with any knowledge at all about China will know. I don't know it this author is just trying to stir up a negative (and in this case false) image of China or is simply clueless.