Another week, another wrap up!

新年快乐！蛇年快乐！

Welcome to this week's edition of the language vlog newsletter. We've changed these up a little to make them a little more readable and easier on ourselves to get out in time!

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As the Year of the Snake begins, this week’s focus is on travel, language learning, and some aspects of China's Spring Festival. Whether you’re preparing for a trip to China, interested in the latest podcast discussions, or just looking to explore new perspectives, here’s what’s new.

This Week’s Videos and Podcasts

1. Planning Flights to China: Everything You Need to Know – A breakdown of direct vs. indirect flights, ticket booking platforms, and travel essentials. Watch here
2. Happy New Year of the Snake! 新年快乐 – A look at the traditions surrounding Lunar New Year / Spring Festival and key phrases to use. Watch here
3. Riding Around Beijing During Spring Festival – A look at the quiet streets of Beijing on the first day of Spring Festival. Watch here

Planning a Trip to China: What You Need to Know

I was asked visa email about whether it was a better idea to take an indirect or direct flight to China. Simply put: whatever your budget can afford and how much time you have to get here. For other considerations, here's the full video:

• The pros and cons of direct vs. indirect flights
• Booking flights through Skyscanner, CheapoAir, Fliggy, and Ctrip
• Essential packing tips for efficiency and convenience
• Layover strategies, including the best cities for stopovers
• Flight safety, food considerations, and money-saving techniques

📌 Pre-flight checklist: Download here

Understanding the Year of the Snake

With Spring Festival celebrations underway, we reviewed a few traditional Chinese New Year greetings and customs.

Key phrases for this year:

1. 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) – Happy New Year
2. 过年快乐 (Guònián kuàilè) – Wishing you a happy Lunar New Year
3. 蛇年快乐 (Shé nián kuàilè) – Happy Year of the Snake
4. 恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) – Wishing you prosperity

Watch the full video here: Happy New Year of the Snake

For a complete list of useful phrases, download the New Year’s Word List here:

📌 Download Word List

Riding Around Beijing During Spring Festival

If you were to arrive in the city during Spring Festival, you'd be misled into thinking "it's not THAT busy here" because the city empties out. Even the local 超市 owners ask if you need anything in advance cause they're all taking off and getting out of the city for a couple of weeks. This short video captures a quiet ride through the streets, offering a snippet of the city as it prepared for the start of 春节 on Tuesday evening.

📹 Watch here: YouTube Link

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That wraps up this week’s update. If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, feel free to reply to this email or leave a comment on YouTube.

For language learning support, reply to this email or reach out at stevenslanguagechannel@gmail.com.

Best,

Steve