The Chinese New Year's Eve is known as 'Chú Xī '. The first day of the first month (i.e. New Year's Day) is called 'Zhēng Yuè Chū Yī'. The 'Spring Festival' (Chūn Jié) starts from 'Zhēng Yuè Chū Yī' and lasts 15 days until the 15th day of the first month ('Zhēng Yuè Shí Wǔ'), also known as the 'Lantern Festival'.
During the 'Spring Festival', people will visit family members, relatives, and friends and give each other gifts and presents. The elderly will give the youngsters/children red envelops with 'lucky money' in them for good fortune. It's a custom that people express their best wishes to each other. Big meals/feasts are important part of the festival.
The Chinese zodiac is made of 12 animals, each representing a year on a rotating basis. Year 2012 is the year of Dragon (lóng nián). There are plenty of fortune-telling books and resources to guide you how to have a good year, if you believe in what they say.
What's written here about Chinese New Year is only the tip of the iceberg. With some research and study, you will find much more about the culture of the No. 1 holiday in China.
