Concrete Playground

With lion dancing, modern Chinese cuisine and film screenings of Chinese classics, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is undoubtedly the best place to celebrate Chinese New Year outside of Chinatown. The vast majority of these events are free, with highlights including Chinese High Tea, fan dancing performances, tai chi workshops and a lecture from the Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Museum. Tours of auspicious symbols in Chinese art will also make more of the culture legible to newcomers.

Two exhibitions are also timed for the occasion. In the Asian gallery, ritual art from ancient China (more specifically, the Chu kingdom during the Warring States period) will be on display. But the big draw card is undoubtably the terracotta warriors. Perhaps the most incredible archaeological find of the century, these iconic figures will be displayed alongside other recent finds which have rarely been seen outside China. This exhibition is the only part of the program you will need to pay for, but at a meagre $20 is certainly worth a look.

Image: 'Group of soldiers', Araldo De Luca