While Christians are a minority in Asia, Christmas is still a popular holiday and has seen widespread commercial success. While it is more secular than religious, Christmas in Asia still has its very own charm. Maybe for once you want to forego the family get-together this time and have a totally different Christmas while doing an internship abroad. In this article, you will learn about the unique Asian Christmas traditions in our eight destinations!
Japan
As most Japanese are of Buddhist and Shinto faith, Christmas is only of religious value for the Christian minority in the country. Nonetheless, Japan is still very much enjoying Christmas albeit as a secular affair. Christmas mostly became popular through the american influence on the island nation. However, throughout the years Japan’s very own christmas traditions came to be that you won’t find at home.
Believe it or not, but fried chicken is actually the most popular christmas meal for many households in Japan. This tradition is said to have originated from a very successful marketing campaign of american fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 1970s. People will even reserve the finger-lickin’ good food weeks in advance to avoid long queuing during Christmas.
Something else that’s high in course when it comes to reservations is christmas cake. As christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ people in Japan found it only fitting to have a birthday cake for the occasion. Usually this christmas cake comes as a strawberry shortcake, making a nice compliment to other christmas ornaments with its red and white colors.
In Japan, Christmas is more seen as an opportunity for friends to hang out together and as a romantic holiday for couples and not as a family get together. To set the right mood many cities will prepare elaborate christmas illuminations that spread the holiday cheer and create a romantic vibe.
Another interesting aspect about christmas in Japan is the fact that Santa Claus is often likened to Hotei, a folklore god in Japan, because of their strikingly similar appearance as slightly chubby old men, carrying a bag with presents.
South Korea
In South Korea Christmas is called “Sung Tan Jul” (성탄절) and is actually a national holiday as about 30% of the South Korean population are Christians. On Christmas eve many South Koreans will go to church and attend masses. Christmas carol parties are also a hit with the whole population and see many attendees.
Santa Claus can be seen sporting a pretty different look in South Korea than the red and white robes we are used to. “Santa Haraboji”, literally meaning “Santa old man” will dress up in a blue traditional Korean outfit, wearing a hat called “Gat”. One of many truly unique Asian Christmas traditions!
Similarly to Japan, Christmas is also seen more as an opportunity to hang out with friends or spending a romantic night with your significant other.
China
Although only observed in bigger cities in the country, Christmas is still a hit in China.
For the most part, only shopping malls will decorate for christmas, keen on cashing in on the holiday’s commercial appeal. Chinese people will however sometimes buy plastic Christmas trees, that they will decorate with paper lanterns. These specially decorated Christmas trees are also called “tree of light”.
While gift giving is not necessarily a common practice on Christmas in China, there is one peculiar gift that is very popular. In China people will gift apples with all kinds of different engravings and in fancy wrappings. This is because the word for apple in Mandarin “píngguǒ” (苹果) sounds similar to the word for Christmas’ Eve “Ping’an Ye” (平安夜). Similarly to the chinese lunar New Year, people will also gift money in red envelopes.
Another peculiar Christmas tradition in China is that Instead of elves, Santa Claus, called Shèngdànlǎorén (聖誕老人), has young chinese women as his helpers who in turn are called “Santa’s Sisters”.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong, being a special administrative zone in China, shares many similarities with China in its Christmas traditions. Still, there are some differences, mostly owing to Hong Kong’s history as a British colony. Unlike the rest of China, Christmas Day is a public holiday in Hong Kong and stores and schools will be closed. Hong Kong Winterfest is a grand celebration of the holiday season, illuminating Hong Kong’s downtown and Victoria Harbor.
Taiwan
Christmas in Taiwan is mostly defined by the large American influence on the island nation. In the nation’s capital Taipei, the commercial draws of Christmas are in full effect. Shopping malls are decked out in christmas lights and decorations, enticing shoppers to spend their money. Taipei Winterland goes all out to create a winter wonderland in the downtown, with an impressive, illuminated christmas tree at the center of it all. The christian village of Wanjing in Taiwan’s south offers a more tranquil experience with traditional christmas decorations and a nativity scene.
Vietnam
Although there are not a lot of Christians in Vietnam, the French influence from its colonial period is still very visible in Vietnam’s Christmas traditions. On Christmas Eve, people in the big cities like to gather around cathedrals and enjoy the christmas atmosphere. Just like in France, families in Vietnam will have a christmas dinner called “reveillon” that features a lot of hiqh quality foods. For desert there is a popular chocolate cake in the form of a log called “Bûche de Noël”.
Singapore
Singapore, being a cultural melting pot, makes for an interesting blend of traditional christmas traditions and Singapore’s very own Asian christmas traditions. Christmas meals are very popular with Singapore’s residents and usually tend to be pretty close to their western originals. But don’t be surprised if you find some Satay turkey between the christmas dishes. Come christmas time Singapore’ s famous Orchard Road will be fully illuminated and has a lot of attractions and events for merry visitors.
Thailand
The concept of “sanuk”, which basically means to enjoy oneself, is a word to live by for the people in Thailand and they don’t leave out any opportunity for festivities. Christmas in Thailand has more of a tropical feel to it and you will even see elephants dressed as Santa Claus. The Great Gatsby Christmas Market in Bangkok is a Christmas market with a slightly different touch. Visitors will be warped back in time to the 1920s, getting all kinds of opportunities to experience the time period’s charm.
Despite not many Christians living in Asia, Christmas is a big hit in the region and it’s undeniable that Asia has a lot of diverse and totally unique Christmas traditions. How about going abroad and seeing the festive season in a totally different light for once? Experience these unusual Asian Christmas traditions while doing an internship in one of our eight destinations with Meiji Internships!
