Chinese New Year 2026 – Year of the Horse
Each new year in the Chinese calendar is associated with an animal and one of the five elements, forming a 12-year cycle full of symbolism and traditions!
In 2026, the Lunar New Year marks the start of a dynamic and energetic period: the Year of the Horse is here!
The Horse symbolizes freedom, strength, speed, and adventure. It is an animal associated with optimism and action, bringing a year that calls us to move forward, take bold steps, and pursue our goals with passion!
Chinese New Year & Oriental Express
We kicked off Chinese New Year 2026 by inviting you to join us on an exciting journey filled with flavor, surprises, and true Oriental Express experiences. Once again, Oriental Express has arrived at the start of the new year, bringing energy, creativity, and the promise of an unforgettable season!
From the Snake to the Horse: A Year in Motion
The Arrival of the Horse: After the wisdom and strategy of the Snake, the Horse brings energy, momentum, and freedom. It’s time to move faster, take bolder steps, and pursue our dreams with determination.
The Game: Guess & Win
This year, we invited you to enter a world full of puzzles and discoveries through an interactive puzzle game.
Our social channels were filled with hints, reveals, and moments of suspense, creating a community of players eagerly awaiting each night’s next challenge!
The Game: Guess & Win
A unique challenge full of mystery, speed, and… noodles arrived to test your observation skills and quick thinking!
Every night at midnight, new pieces of the puzzle were revealed, and participants had to carefully study the image and guess what lay behind it. The quickest and most perceptive players stood out and made it to victory.
The Solution: The puzzle revealed the Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) and the transition from the wise Ori to the adventurous Orion, marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse.
The Big Winners
The fun came with plenty of rewards — and there were plenty to go around!
The TOP 5 winners received:
The Noodles of the Year – enjoying Oriental Express 3’ Noodles in all their flavours
A Mystery Oriental Express Goodies Bag full of surprises
The next 50 winners received:
-A collectible Oriental Express gift
-3’ Instant Noodles in a unique surprise flavour specially selected for them
Many Players, Even More Excitement
The contest drew huge participation, with players returning each night to solve the mystery before anyone else. The thrill of the reveal, the fast-paced challenge, and of course the delicious prizes made the experience truly unforgettable.
The Best Is Yet to Come!
If you missed out or want to try your luck again, stay tuned. New contests and even more surprises are coming soon!
Because at Oriental Express, every year is a new journey — and this one has just begun.
You might also like: Chinese New Year 2025 – The Year of the Snake – Ori
