Unlike in Mainland China, the Lunar New Year in Malaysia is called Chinese New Year and not the Spring Festival, as it is in China, because Malaysia is a land of eternal summer.

Seasons aside, Malaysia would always experience a festival-like atmosphere and the sweeping away of the old to start anew every time during this celebration.

Due to the Chinese diaspora, many ethnic Chinese have since remained in Southeast Asia. While retaining cultural elements from China, they have, however, localised their celebration accordingly.

Currently, there are some 10,000 students from different parts of China in Malaysia. Despite distinctive customs, the Chinese New Year has brought them all together with the local Chinese in celebrating this important festival.

Their experience of celebrating Chinese New Year in a different country has given them the chance to explore a somewhat different “spring festival”.

It is through their nostalgia in celebrating the festival in their own country that they re-discover the real meaning of “Chinese New Year”.

Meet Li Sha, 24, a student at a private university. As a Sichuan native, she keeps true to her roots and simply loves spicy food.

It has been four years since Li arrived in Malaysia to pursue her Master’s degree in Business Administration. And it has also been four years since she returned home to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Celebrating the festival in Malaysia has given her a whole new experience. Every year, she would celebrate the Chinese New Year in different ways, all of which have impressed her greatly.