Second Day of Lunar New Year. Chengdu People's Customs

（3）Second Day of Lunar New Year: Chengdu People’s Customs

Written by Wei Zi in San Francisco, second day of Lunar New Year 2026

Second Day of Lunar New Year: Sacrificing to Dongjun, Aotou Spring Outing, Feast Tour, Returning to Wife’s Parents’ Home, Opening the Well

1. Sacrificing to Dongjun (祭东君)

On the second day of Lunar New Year, Chengdu people have the custom of sacrificing to Dongjun. Dongjun is the god of the east, in charge of life and growth. People will prepare fruits, pastries, and other offerings to pray for good weather and abundant harvests in the coming year.

2. Aotou Spring Outing (鳌头春游)

Chengdu people will go to Aotou (now Chunxi Road area) for spring outings on this day. Aotou was the commercial center of old Chengdu, where people would shop, taste snacks, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

3. Feast Tour (宴游)

On the second day of Lunar New Year, Chengdu people like to invite relatives and friends to feast together. They will prepare sumptuous New Year dishes, including New Year’s cake, dumplings, fish, and other auspicious foods.

4. Returning to Wife’s Parents’ Home (回娘家)

According to custom, married women will return to their parents’ home on the second day of Lunar New Year with their husbands and children to reunite with their natal family. This is an important family reunion day.

5. Opening the Well (开井)

In old Chengdu, there was the custom of “opening the well” on the second day of Lunar New Year. People would hold a simple ceremony to “open” the well, symbolizing the start of using well water for the new year and praying for clean water sources.

These customs reflect Chengdu people’s pursuit of a happy life and their emphasis on family and traditional culture. Although some customs have gradually disappeared with urban development, the festive atmosphere and family reunion traditions are still preserved.