Everything you need to know about Lunar New Year in Singapore – from pineapple tarts and yu sheng to feng shui and Chinese temples
Hurrah to Singapore and its multicultural society! Why, you ask? Not only does it expose us to various cultural norms and practices and allow us to enjoy cuisines from different ethnic groups, it also presents us with an array of festive holidays to celebrate. What’s not to like about that? This February, we’ll be celebrating one of the largest Asian festivities ever – Chinese New Year. So, here’s our low-down on Chinese New Year in Singapore – for first-time visitors or simply for those who can use a little helping hand to prep for this joyous occasion.
New Year, New Beginnings
Lunar New Year is just around the corner – and that means it’s time to get your house looking spick and span. If you want to score a massive load of good luck this time around, decorate your home in accordance to the do’s and don’ts of feng shui laws. And remember, to ring in that extra fortune, out with the old and in with the new – it’s time to go shopping for new, chic and fabulous cheongsams!
Food…So Much Food
Let’s face it: one of the major reasons as to why we’re looking forward to any festivities is the slew of good eats coming our way. It’s definitely time to stock up on the ultimate king of New Year goodies – the pineapple tarts. But if you’re looking for something special this year, the smorgasbord of Hong Kong bakeries in Singapore might be able to provide with non-traditional sweet treats like egg tarts, wife cakes and Bo Lo baos. Also, you can hardly celebrate Chinese New Year without the decadent and highly addictive Chinese pork snacks called Bak Kwa. Meanwhile, grab hold of the best yu sheng in Singapore and toss your way to great health and wealth. And when your noisy relatives are bugging you about not having a boyfriend (or girlfriend) during the reunion dinner, simply choose to ignore such unnecessary buzz and focus on the sumptuous Chinese fare or succulent Peking duck right in front of you – nom!
Soaking up the festivities
The easiest (and the best) way to get into the Lunar New Year mood is to visit the epicentre of Chinese culture in Singapore – Chinatown. During the festive season, the streets along this old-meets-new bustling enclave will be adorned with red auspicious decorations and holiday lights. For a more immersive cultural experience, you can visit Chinese temples in Singapore to see Buddha statues, beautiful pagodas and Oriental architecture. Otherwise, for a more subtle assimilation into this big ethnic celebration, you can opt for a fun movie marathon with friends and family at the comfort of your home, and catch the 10 best CNY films ever.
Chinese New Year Getaways
But if you’re thinking of spending your Chinese New Year beyond Singapore, or if you’re questioning the hoo-hah that surrounds this celebration (we have an opinion piece about this), we’ve got you covered with our round up of must-visit travel destinations in 2016. Be it near or far, adventurous or relaxing, there’s something for everyone!