Being in Singapore for Chinese New Year is
like being in Europe or North America during Christmas. Chinese New Year is the
most important time of year for the Chinese community, and with over 70% of
Singaporeans being Chinese the celebrations run through the entire island.
Although Chinese New Year falls on the 10th
of February this year (it’s a different date each year), the festivities began
long before that. As it’s the year of the Snake, Chinatown has installed a
massive sculpture of a snake using yellow sky lanterns that slithers along four
metres above South Bridge Rd. Around the corner is another snake, this one 128
metres long and made of 5000 red cube lanterns. Explore the various street of
Chinatown and you can browse over 500 street-stalls set up in celebration of
the New Year. These will be selling traditional Chinese New Year treats like
sweets and cookies. Chinatown will be the epicentre of the celebrations on the
9th of February. Make sure you go to New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen
Street between 9.30pm and 12.30am for live performances and a countdown
celebration.
One of the major events during Chinese New
Year is the Chingay Parade held on the 22 & 23rd of February.
This street parade was first held in 1973 and has since grown into the most popular
street parade of the year. Due to its overwhelming popularity it is now held at
the F1 Pit Building. A closed off piece of road normally used to the Formula 1
race in September. The current location offers seating so more people can view
the spectacle.
Also popular is River Hongbao. This nine
day festival takes place from the 8th of February to the 16th
of February on the floating platform on Marina Bay and will feature 1,200
lanterns and 45 food stalls selling classic Singaporean dishes like char kway
teow, chicken rice, oyster omelette and delicacies from the Guangdong province
in China like soup dumplings and grilled quail eggs.
Around the corner at the Esplanade from the
15th of February until the 24th is Huayi - Chinese Festival of the
Arts. Showcasing Chinese art, music, dance and theatre, the festival is great
way to get a better understanding of Chinese culture.
If you’re looking for a quick introduction
to everything Chinese New Year, then the Singapore Flyer will be celebrating by
turning one of Singapore’s most popular tourist sites into a lesson on
everything Chinese New Year. Learn about what makes Chinese New Year such a
special time, and then take a ride in the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.
These are just some of the things going on
during the Chinese New Year period. But no matter where you are in Singapore
you won’t be able to stop yourself being swept along by the festivities. Note that
Monday the 11th of February and Tuesday the 12th of
February are national public holidays. This won’t affect tourist spots and
major restaurants. But be aware that some supermarkets might be closed as well as
most of the smaller Chinese-run businesses. Whatever you do just revel in the
festivities and have a great Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
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