By Rama Gaind.
Lunar New Year in Singapore.
Depends on which astrologer you believe in or how skeptical you are, but the Lunar New Year, or the spring festival, is intended to usher in a year of luck and prosperity.
Commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, celebrations from 1 February 2022 can last for days.
As we welcome the Year of the Tiger, we can be optimistic about getting some special ideas as more destinations ‘open’ up to travellers. This will mean there will be many more competitive holiday packages on offer.
As the new year ignites celebrations across the globe, the revelries in Sydney seem to get bigger every year, with the festival now considered to be one of the biggest outside of Asia. The festivities, which run until 13 February, sees the laneways of Haymarket come alive and explode with colour. It’s an unforgettable place to celebrate, with lion dancers, live entertainment, roving performers, market stalls and food trucks and so much more.
Having been an enthusiastic participant at these events in years gone by – in Australia and overseas – one really has to be ‘in it’ to experience the thrills and spills! Though this year the celebrations may be a bit more subdued due to Covid restrictions.
They really know how to paint the city red in Beijing. This is the biggest holiday of the year in the Chinese capital and is one of the ultimate places to experience Lunar New Year. It is a prime time to visit if you want to experience the local culture. A temple fair is where you’ll be able to observe many traditional cultural experiences such as dragon and lion dances, arts and crafts and auspicious foods, while locals setting off firecrackers and fireworks are a constant nightly occurrence.
Culture and tradition
Lunar New Year in Beijing.
With a population primarily made up of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian ethnic groups, new year celebrations in Singapore offer a unique blend of cultures and traditions. Merriment could be muted this year, but events are still taking place across the island. One of the best places to experience the festivities is the River Hongbao. Here you are able to welcome the Year of the Tiger with a range of epic experiences including giant lanterns, live performances and even amusement rides.
The biggest Lunar New Year Party is thrown in Bangkok, home to Thailand’s largest Chinatown. A colourful procession, lanterns and banners turn the city into a sea of red.
Bali, the Indonesian island, has long been a favourite destination for Australians. A tropical party zone where the weather is hot and sticky, the beers are cold, the bars are pumping and the waves are big.
Kuala Lumpur is a lot more reserved when it comes to these new year celebrations. Mostly, celebrators will head to the temples to pay their respects to the gods, light joss sticks and burn papercuts. The temples are usually meticulously decorated in lanterns making it a great destination to visit and admire the beautiful decorations of such a multi-colored and vibrant celebration.
You may not associate Lunar New Year celebrations with San Francisco, but it has one of the biggest Chinatowns in North America. Intricately designed tiger statues placed across the city form part of the celebrations. Having been among the fervent crowds before, the main ticket is the annual parade (on 19 February this year) where more than three million people line the streets to watch over 100 parade entries. Some of the highlights were the 8.3-metere-long Golden Dragon float, which required 100 people to operate, making its way down the route from the corner of 2nd and Market Street to the corner of Jackson and Kearny.
Festive list
Lunar New Year in Bangkok.
When thinking of places to make merry, Paris is probably not high on the list – but it should be – definitely! The capital of France really knows how to party. The two-week celebration kicks off with the ‘opening of the dragon’s eye,’ followed by a procession of dancers, drummers and, naturally, plenty of dragons. The magical backdrop is the Champs-Elysées!
Japan should be on your register, along with the multicultural city of Vancouver. The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade brings the energy, colour and pageantry to the streets of Chinatown with Canada’s largest troupe of lion dancers plus cultural dance performances, marching bands and martial arts displays. There are heaps of food banquets, cultural fairs and festivals.
After this virtual tour … we recollect the tiger as a symbol of bravery, wisdom and strength. While some people born during a tiger year are thought to be natural leaders who are thrill-seeking and outspoken, others believe 2022 will bring some people power, courage and confidence, often craving attention.
Who are some famous people born in Years of the Tiger? Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro, Marilyn Monroe, Shawn Mendes, Lady Gaga and Tom Cruise.
DETAILS BOX
For airfares and holiday packages, contact Qantas, Virgin Australia, Travel Associates, Flight Centre.
