Chinese New Year Diaries – Day 6 (初六)
The number six (六, liù) is an auspicious number, because it sounds like the word for “flowing” (流, liú).
For many businesses, the sixth day of the lunar calendar marks the end of the extended New Year holiday and people return to work. Others wait until day eight, since eight (八, bā) sounds like 发 (fā) as in 发财 (fācái), which means to get wealthy.
Unrelated to the New Year traditions, the beginning of Spring (立春, lìchūn) arrives today as well (every year around Feb, 3-5). According to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, it symbolizes renewal and awakening of nature after a long winter.
Auntie made traditional Spring Pancakes (春饼, chūnbǐng) for breakfast, wrapped in soybean sprouts (representing new life) and fried garlic and egg, served with homemade soybean milk.
Gym Quest
I tried my luck today again, and headed into the city to locate a gym that might have opened. I was greeted again by closed doors and a sign announcing they’d reopen on Day 8.
This was the fourth gym I’d checked during the New Year Holidays.
Back home in Germany, I’m used to working out several times a week, and most gyms rarely close for more than a day or two during holidays. I’d assume it would be similar here in a Tier-1 city. Working out has been an anchor in my life for years, and not having that routine in an unfamiliar environment feels a little bit unsettling, but I’m learning to adapt with home workouts and outdoor walks.
Five Great Avenues (五大道, Wudadao)
The Five Great Avenues actually consist of Six Avenues (Machi Dao (马场道), Mudan Dao (睦南道), Dali Dao (大理道), Changde Dao (常德道), Chongqing Dao (重庆道), Chengdu Dao (成都道)). The area showcases many European-style residential buildings built for political and military leaders, diplomats, scholars.
Today, it’s a popular tourist destination with many cafes and boutiques. The Qing Prince’s Mansion (庆王府, Qingwanfu), MinYuan Stadium (民园体育场), Tianjin Five Avenues Museum (五大道博物馆) are among the common view points.
By now, the trains and streets were full of people, a hint of how alive and crowded public spaces usually are, aside from New Year Festivals.
The temperature was slightly below 0°C these days, but I felt motivated today to explore the Five Great Avenues (五大道) on foot, taking in all the impressions slowly. The streets still wore beautiful red and gold New Year decorations.
After several days in China, street food stands and souvenir markets had started to blur into a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and smells. A small, desire-driven part in me still wanted to buy all the shiny things and taste different food. But this part is overruled by choice paralysis. Another quieter part was content to simply take in the scenery with all my senses, which already made me feel full and satisfied.
Buying Coffee
China has become a mostly cashless society in recent years, relying heavily on apps such as Alipay or WeChat Pay.
In most cafés I have visited, ordering works like this:
- Scan the QR code or access the store’s mini app through WeChat.
- Place your order and checkout with your digital wallet.
The system also lets you order minutes before you arrive at the store, so you can quickly jump in and pick it up. There were a few times when I was overwhelmed and tried ordering at the counter, and got rejected. However, staff are always friendly when it comes to walking you through the procedure.
years of chinese school on saturdays have paid off - even though my vocabulary has shrunk, i can still read most characters. told my mum i really appreciate her insisting on a basic chinese education, even though it wasn’t the most enjoyable thing as a child. i’d love get closer to native fluency someday.
Wrapping up the day
Back home, I’m greeted again with a delicious homemade meal! 🤍
