Chinese New Year in Singapore – Gong Xi Gong Xi! Chinese Lunar New Year is beyond the corner. Singapore is one of the places in the world with a massive bash to celebrate CNY every year. Even though you can’t visit Singapore yet, you can imagine the city paints with bright yellow and red colors to welcome the Year of the Ox this 2021.
Keen to know about the CNY celebration in Singapore? Ranging from festive decorations and events or programs to be enjoyed from home, we’ll bring the town’s festive mood to you through this virtual guide. Enjoy~
Read more:
- Popular Destinations to Visit During CNY in Indonesia
- Exciting Things to Do in Chinatown Makassar
- Popular Attractions in Singapore, Free of Charge!
The Festivities of Chinese New Year in Singapore
This year’s Chinese New Year in Singapore is unlike other years that have passed due to the government’s limitation regarding the virus spread. However, people can still visit each other’s household and enjoy the happy euphoria when the whole city is filled with CNY lanterns, ornaments, statues, and decorations. Wanna see how festive it looks like? Let’s go!
1. Street Light-Up in Chinatown
What’s even more interesting than seeing Chinatown Singapore turns into an animal farm each year during Chinese New Year? This Street Light-up will paint the town red with its decorations, starting from lanterns to huge animal statues that symbolize the year.
At night, the decorations will light up along the street – adding even more CNY vibes to it. People will also see many ox statues between Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road on the grass patch.
Location: Along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, and South Bridge Road
Time: 23 January – 12 March 2021, 19.00 – 00.00
2. Dahlia Dreams at Gardens by the Bay
The arrival of the Chinese New Year marks the beginning of spring on the Chinese calendar. In spring this year, Dahlia flowers will bloom, so to create more CNY vibes, people can see the beauty of Dahlia flowers at Gardens by The Bay.
Usually, this famous garden will be fully-packed during flower festivals. Both domestic and international tourists will come and take pictures around the area. Each year, Gardens by The Bay will display typical Chinese ornaments as a backdrop for the blooming Dahlia, Azalea, Chrysanthemum, and Cymbidium flowers that are symbols of good luck.
Location: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Time: 15 January – 21 February, 09.00 – 21.00
3. Excitement at the Universal Studio Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore also celebrates the excitement of the Chinese New Year. People can meet popular cartoon characters such as Po from Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Fiona, Minions, Sesame Street, and Majestic Dragon while also taking various exciting and challenging rides. Totally a happy place for cartoon lovers!
Location: Usher in the Fun, Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Time: Until 28 February 2021
Traditions, Culture, and Beliefs of the Chinese New Year
1. Red Color Ornaments
Chinese New Year is often symbolized with red ornaments or clothes. So, don’t be surprised if you will see many typical Chinese ornaments displayed along the streets in Singapore.
Starting from lanterns, Chinese poetry calligraphy, to angpao on the Kumquat tree, you’ll find it everywhere mostly dominated by red color, including in local people’s homes. The red color adds festivity to a joyful day, for sure!
2. Lion Dance Show
Chinese New Year is incomplete without the lion dance performance. Even though this time you can’t watch it live, the lion dance show will be broadcasted through several online platforms. So, you will still feel the excitement of the Chinese New Year in the midst of this pandemic even if only from home.
3. Yusheng/Yee Sang
During Chinese New Year, the family usually gather and eat together intimately in each other’s homes. There’s a signature menu that will be served called Yusheng/Yee Sang, or Prosperity Toss, which is a Cantonese-style raw fish salad. It usually consists of strips of raw fish, mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients.
Having yusheng on Chinese New Year’s Eve is indeed the most anticipated moment because that’s the time to visit their family’s home. The next day, the tradition continues by visiting relatives and distributing angpao. It’s best for you to do it online this year if you’re also celebrating CNY so everyone will be safe.
Hotel Recommendations Near Chinatown Singapore
For those of you who live in Singapore and want to experience the festive CNY vibes around Chinatown, enjoying a staycation at cozy hotels near Chinatown Singapore can be a good idea. Don’t worry, if you’re not in Singapore, save this list first for your Singapore trip later!
1. CUBE Family Boutique Capsule Hotel Chinatown
CUBE Family Boutique Capsule Hotel Chinatown is a capsule hotel which is located only about 2 minutes walk from MRT Chinatown. Even though it is a capsule hotel, the room facilities provided here are quite complete. There’s a folding table, free mineral water, a microwave, a mirror, and free toiletries inside the room.
If you’re coming with a family, there are also family rooms that you can book. With a unique concept, it will make your children happy to stay here. You can also enjoy a buffet breakfast at CUBE Family Boutique Capsule Hotel Chinatown.
Address: 64A/B, 66A/B, 68A/B Smith St, Level 2, 3, Singapore 058967 (Maps)
Price: Starts from 925,150 IDR/room/night*
Facilities: tiket CLEAN, restaurant, Wi-Fi
Book a room at CUBE Family Boutique Capsule Hotel Chinatown via tiket.com
2. ST Signature Chinatown
This 3-star hotel can be a perfect choice for those of you who want to stay around the Chinatown area. The hotel distance to the MRT station is also quite close, which is about 7 minutes on foot.
ST Signature Chinatown is equipped with various room facilities for each room type. There are small and large rooms that you can book for your staycation. Bathrooms are shared with private bath amenities. You can also enjoy fast-speed wifi access in all hotel areas.
Address: 273A South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058822 (Maps)
Price: Starts from 698,276 IDR/room/night*
Facilities: tiket CLEAN, Wi-Fi, AC
3. Porcelain Hotel
Porcelain Hotel is situated strategically for those of you who want to explore Chinatown and its surroundings. Besides being only a 2-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station, Porcelain Hotel is also a 5-minute walk to the Chinatown Heritage Center, Sri Mariamman Temple, and Chinatown Point.
There are several types of rooms that you can choose from, such as the Day Use Room (5 hours), Standard Room, Deluxe Room, Superior Room, and Executive Room. Each room is equipped with complete facilities including AC, TV, mini-fridge, kettle, hot water shower, and toiletries. A seating area and a bathtub are available for some room types.
Address: 48 Mosque St, Singapore 059526 (Maps)
Price: Starts from 610,999 IDR/room/night*
Facilities: tiket CLEAN, Wi-Fi, AC, wheelchair access
4. Hotel Soloha @ Chinatown
Hotel Soloha @ Chinatown has 45 rooms that are ready for you to book for a staycation or just stay overnight to unwind after strolling around Chinatown. This hotel is equipped with facilities such as a TV, tea/coffee maker, minibar, and room service.
You can walk about 5 minutes on foot to the hotel from MRT Outram Station and 7 minutes from MRT Chinatown Station. Hotel Soloha @ Chinatown has been certified with tiket CLEAN and SG Clean, where all areas of the hotel have followed hygiene standards.
Address: 12 Teck Lim Rd, Singapore 088387 (Maps)
Price: Starts from 1,654,401 IDR/room/night*
Facilities: AC, Wi-Fi, meeting room, restaurant, tiket CLEAN, lounge, gym
5. Furama City Centre
Furama City Center provides rooms with modern designs, with a combination of carpeted floors and a predominance of bright colors. This hotel has several types of rooms, starting from the Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Club Room, Executive Room, Superior Room With Rollaway Bed, Executive Suite, and Family Room.
The hotel offers complete facilities such as AC, TV, wifi, minibar, kettle, bathtub, and in-room amenities. For Family Room type, the room size is bigger than others and also completed with mini kitchen. Perfect room for your family staycation!
Address: 60 Eu Tong Sen St, Singapore 059804 (Maps)
Price: Starts from 1,385,672 IDR/room/night*
Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant, meeting room, Wi-Fi, airport pick-up service, tiket CLEAN
Create Memorable Chinese New Year with Family
That’s a little from many excitement of the Chinese New Year in Singapore, which might make your curiosity cured, t-mates. Even though this year you can’t celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore, let’s hope that next year you’re in Singapore to feel the festive mood and euphoria of it.
For now, you can celebrate CNY with your family by enjoying a staycation at favorite hotels near your home. Find a cozy hotel and book only at tiket.com! Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai!
*Price shown is when the article is written
