Hello everyone. I'll be in KL for a few weeks next month, and have a free weekend 13/14 February. How do the Chinese New Year celebrations affect Singapore for visitors? For my short two or three day visit, will I find many places closed or operating different hours?
Thanks in advance!
Expect most places and things shut, along with some colourful parades, etc. Very quiet!
You could always go the other way and spend a few busy days in Bangkok. AirAsia is cheap and it's only a short hop.
Hmm. Thank you cyberia. For a short weekend, I'm not to keen on flying anywhere (partly because I can see fares going up around the new year weekend, and partly because I'm a bit a of trainspotter with my heart set on travelling to Singapore by train :)
Since I'm not likely to be shopping, will I find key attractions (like the zoo) closed or neighbourhoods like Chinatown completely dead? Would there be any special events or neighbourhoods that I should aim for to experience the colour and culture of the new year celebrations?
Thanks again!
It'll be pretty quiet all around as most people will be with their families at home or they will be taking the chance to get out of the country.
I know nights just before CNY is mad in Chinatown. Everyone's out hoping to score a good deal. But am not sure about the first and second day of CNY itself.
If you can make it in on Fri evening, there's the River Hongbao http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/apps/event_detail.html?pageName=MonthlyEvent&buttom=detail&eid=9758&eventType=1
The zoo will usually be open, as will most of the attractions on Sentosa.
The 13th is the eve of CNY so there will be a lot of activities in Chinatown, The River Hongbao along the Singapore River, and the Waterloo Street (Bugis) area as a lot of devotees will be praying for good luck at the stroke of midnight at the temple there.
You can expect fireworks at the mouth of the Singapore River.
The 14th will be a little bit quiet as Chinese-owned shops will be closed, and the populace will be visiting relatives and friends to celebrate (indoors and at home).
However, major tourist attractions will remain open.
Enjoy yourself.
I've been there about a dozen times.....once during CNY (3 years ago). It will be incredibly quiet on the 14th and for the next several days, as well. It's not only the Chinese shops that are closed. Most shops will be closed. Even Little India will be totally different. Now, I always plan my annual trip so that I'll avoid it. Singapore is a great place to visit....usually!
P.S. The zoo will be open.
Chinese New Year is a surreal time to be in singapore
here's why
singapore will be generally less crowded than usual
approx 20% of the population will be flying out of the country
to maximise the ridiculously long weekend we're getting
so expect public areas to be wonderfully breezy
i will recommend spending the eve of chinese new year (CNY) in chinatown
from 5pm to 8pm the streets will be absolutely deserted
like a scene in a post holocaust or zombie movie
then promptly at 9pm onwards, everyone arrives from their reunion dinner and shop for last minute bargains
all the wat to midnight when the fireworks and crackers begin
quite bizarre
on CNY day itself
expect all shops/eating places to be closed
tourist attractions will be packed with foreign workers on holiday
hootie