
If there’s one thing I look forward to during the Chinese New Year, it’s the Lion Dance, a traditional Chinese performance typically performed to ward off evil spirits and usher in good fortune.
In the lion dance, two performers wear a colorful lion costume. One dancer assumes the role of the “head and front limbs” of the lion, while the other becomes the “body and hind legs.” The lion’s head costume often resembles that of a dragon. The performance is usually accompanied by drums, cymbals, and gongs.

The style of the lion dance can vary depending on its regional origins. The lion dance from southern China, particularly in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, imitates the lion’s movements, such as scratching, shaking its body, and licking its fur.
Meanwhile, the northern Chinese lion dance highlights martial arts, especially kung fu. This style involves rolling, wrestling, leaping, jumping, and climbing, with one dancer lifting the lion’s head to make it stand.
In Chinese mythology, the lion symbolizes power, wisdom, and superiority. One folk tale tells of a monster named Nien, which appeared in ancient China during the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor. Nien was said to be swift and fierce, terrorizing both people and animals. The warriors could do nothing to stop it, and even dogs and tigers failed to catch it. Desperate, the people sought the help of a mythical lion.
The benevolent lion confronted Nien, wounding it. However, Nien vowed to return the following year for revenge. Without the lion’s protection, the people created their own “lion” made of bamboo and textiles. Two men crawled inside and mimicked the mythical lion’s movements, successfully driving away Nien. From then on, people performed the lion dance every year to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Historically, lions didn’t exist in China before the Han Dynasty (202 BCE to 220 CE). It wasn’t until the Silk Road trade opened that people in ancient China (now known as Xinjiang) saw a few lions. After encountering the once-mythical animal, the people began mimicking its appearance and movements, thus creating the lion dance.
The lion dance evolved during the Three Kingdoms Period and gained popularity with the rise of Buddhism during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. By the Tang Dynasty, it had become one of the court dances.
The lion dance is often paired with the dragon dance, which involves numerous dancers parading with a long, colorful dragon in a procession through the streets or other venues.
As we celebrate the Chinese New Year, enjoy the lion dance, and may it bring you luck in 2025.
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Meanwhile, what’s a celebration without a good feast?
Conrad Manila welcomes the Year of the Snake with a sumptuous and regal culinary feast, featuring specially curated set menus.

At China Blue by Jereme Leung, guests can choose from two set menus. Set A includes fried boneless chicken with lemongrass sour cream and pineapple cucumber, steamed king prawns with black bean sauce, assorted mushrooms, and Chinese chives, braised 10-head abalone, and dry oyster money bags with mushrooms and black garlic sea moss sauce.
Set B features roasted sesame duck with wild black pepper barbecue sauce, braised sliced abalone, dry oyster money bags with fish lips, crab roe, crispy dry scallop sauce, and sautéed US premium beef and beef tendon with black olive mushroom and ginger sauce.
Both sets come with chilled prosperous New Year snowbird’s nest almond ice cream with strawberry jello.
“On behalf of Conrad Manila, I extend my heartfelt wishes for an auspicious 2025 to one and all. The Year of the Snake symbolizes a time for growth, renewal, and meaningful connections. In this spirit, we are excited to share our exclusive offers designed to create unforgettable experiences and strengthen bonds with your loved ones,” shares Fabio Berto, general manager of Conrad Manila.
To complete the Chinese New Year tradition, guests can bring home a specially curated Nian Gao set. Each elegantly designed box features an assortment of meticulously crafted cakes, including white coconut cream, traditional salted caramel brown sugar, and dalandan-flavored small ingots, altogether symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and unity within families and communities.

At Bru Coffee Bar, guests can indulge in Chinese New Year-inspired treats, ideal for gifting or sharing with loved ones, available until Jan. 31.
Guests can also immerse themselves in the joy of the season with an afternoon tea set for two at C Lounge, thoughtfully designed to honor Lunar New Year traditions. The special menu includes spicy tamarind barbecue prawn cuapao, pork char siu sandwich, kung pao tofu sandwich, fried mantao, and swan dumplings—perfectly paired with premium Chinese tea.
To explore Conrad Manila’s exclusive Chinese New Year offerings and activities, email contradmanila@contradhotels.com.