Many countries have traditional festivals and China, with its long history, is no exception. Chinese festivals reflect the diverse cultural heritage of its many ethnic groups. Food plays a very important part in any celebrations and what better way can one celebrate but by enjoying rich and colorful occasions with special tasty dishes. So, what are the festival foods? This occurs because 'jiaozi' sounds like a word meaning 'bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new. Dumplings are always made before midnight and eaten during the last hour of the old year and the first hour of the Lunar New Year.