I spent two weeks in Singapore, exploring tourists attractions, visiting skyscrapers, amusement parks, witnessing the impressive Chinese New Year parade and the equally impressive fireworks along with visiting my friends and family!
The best decision I took was to travel to Singapore during the Chinese New Year, as not only could I enjoy this tiny country that is famous for its year round tourist attractions, but could also witness and enjoy the Chinese New Year festivities which were one of its kind and cannot be missed!
Here are the five highlights and the reason, one should try and visit during their festive season i.e. Chinese New Year!!!
1) China town decorations during the Chinese New Year
If you want to sample authentic Chinese street food, buzzing streets, cheap souvenir shops or gifts to take home, or experience Chinese culture and visit their famous temple; spend a full day exploring China town in the heart of Singapore.
The streets of China Town were covered in all shades of red and pink, and had colorful “pig structures” all around as it was the year of the Pig. The special decoration during Chinese New Year makes it all the more colorful, live and cheerful!
Being a vegetarian, I couldn’t sample many of the delicacies, however, if you are a sea food enthusiast, sampling food here is a must, especially during the New Year, when every restaurants have some new year themed food to offer
The best part of my visit was to receive blessings from the priest at the temple on Chinese New Year day, and witnessing hundreds of people turning up to take the blessings on the auspicious day!
2) Chingay Parade:
My plan for Singapore was predicated on the Chinese New year and to see the New Year parade. The street parade comprises of the largest moving multi-ethnic performances from various countries in South East Asia celebrating the Lunar New Year. You would witness participants in their local ethnic costumes and colourful cultural performances. Chingay parade is one of the largest street performance and float parades, an example of the country’s multi-cultural society.
The tickets get sold out much in advance, hence if you plan to visit during the New Year and want to witness the parade, please ensure to book the tickets on their official website well in time. My advice would be to buy the tickets for the center stand and close to the action as possible. However, even if you do not get the preferred seats, trust me you won’t be disappointed attending this parade. Just go for what you get!
You would definitely be blown away by the cultural yet cutting edge performances by the various groups, along with some splendid fireworks at the end!
3) Fireworks – Chinese New Year
As much as I enjoyed the other festivities around this tiny country during my two week visit, it was witnessing the fireworks from various parts of the city, almost everyday, that left me spellbound!
I have seen many fireworks around the world (London New Year fireworks, France National Day fireworks in Paris, etc.), however watching it everyday in this city with a perfect background of fully lit skyscrapers was altogether a different experience!
As I quote often “You have to see it to believe it” – I would really recommend you to visit Singapore during the festive season to enjoy and witness the full potential of this city as a tourist destination.
4) Lion & Dragon Dance
It is the most important part of the Chinese New Year. Various groups participate in performing the traditional Lion and Dragon dance. The performers mimic the Lion’s movements in a lion costume, and in the Dragon dance, multiple participants use a pole to form a Dragon and manipulate it to make it dance. Both of these are integral to the Chinese New Year and on important events like a wedding as it is said to bring good luck and fortune.
If you are visiting Singapore during the Chinese New Year, do not forget to enjoy witnessing various groups performing the Lion and Dragon dance in their most colourful attire and with utmost enthusiasm – it will definitely help you understand their culture and beliefs in a much better way!
5) Chinese New Year lighting, displays & laser shows around the city
You will witness the whole city lit up with more than usual lighting, along with various lighting displays around the city. You should not miss the lighting show at Super tree as well as well as the laser show in Gardens by Bay from the top of the Sky Park Observation deck!
Feel free to go through the detailed blog on my Singapore visit to read about what all I did while my 10 days visit to Singapore
https://travelascetic.com/exploring-the-uber-posh-asian-country-singapore/
Keep Exploring!!!