Resorts World Sentosa Chinese New Year 2013

Resorts World Sentosa is celebrating its fourth Lunar New Year since its opening in February 2010 and will once again be abuzz with festivities as it welcomes the year of the Snake. Singapore’s first integrated resort, which celebrated its Grand Opening last month, will be decked out in festive decorations throughout the Lunar New Year, whilst key attractions Universal Studios Singapore and  Marine Life Park will  line up special offerings, including  ang pow giveaways at Southeast Asia’s premier theme park and extended opening hours at the S.E.A. Aquarium.

Key highlights of this year’s festive decorations include two huge topiary snakes which  form the centerpiece of FestiveWalk, dancing alongside a golden dragon, blessing guests with harmony and prosperity while ushering in the Lunar New Year. Drums of Joy (欢腾蛇鼓) and lucky charms with snake motif will also deck out FestiveWalk, The Forum, and The Bull Ring to bring forth the festivities with well-wishes for visitors.

Universal Studios Singapore and Marine Life Park

Visitors to Universal Studios Singapore will be greeted with a special red packet giveaway during eight days of auspicious cheers from 9 to 16 February 2013. Guests will stand a chance to win prizes including  Annual Pass  giveaways  and  discounts on Annual Pass upgrades; Universal Studios Singapore Day Pass giveaways and discount on online purchase of  Day Pass; Universal Express giveaways and discounts on Universal Express; as well as complimentary Incanto tickets.

For the very first time, selected characters at the theme park – Woody, Winnie and Elmo – will also don customised Chinese New Year costumes, greeting park guests with well wishes. Guests can also look forward to the  Hollywood Dreams Parade every weekend. The park will extend its opening hours to 10.00am to 8.00pm every Saturday, starting from 9 February 2013, allowing guests to end their day  in splendour with  Lake Hollywood Spectacular, a pyrotechnic display held  on  every Saturday at 7.30pm.

The Marine Life Park will extend  the  opening hours of  its  S.E.A. Aquarium. The world’s largest aquarium will open from 10.00am to 8.00pm daily, starting from 9 February 2013 (Lunar New Year’s Eve) to  24 February 2013 (15 th day of the Lunar New Year), to  cater to  an expected increase in visitors. The operating hours of the Adventure Cove Waterpark remain unchanged.

Resorts World Sentosa Chinese New Year 2013

Lunar New Year F&B Delights

Lunar New Year will never be complete without festive delights. To herald the festivities, guests can
look forward to delectable reunion dining options for the entire family. For the first time, Forest 森, helmed by celebrity Chef Sam Leong, will offer two special reunion set dinners and a seven-course Reunion Deluxe Tasting Menu serving Chinese cuisine infused with Thai elements.

Satisfying differing taste palates, guests will  also  be spoilt for choice with  a gamut of the most extravagant Cantonese cuisine and festive goodies at Feng Shui Inn in Crockfords Tower as well as two Lunar New Year menus at Hollywood China Bistro in Universal Studios Singapore, on top of the extensive dinner buffet at Starz Restaurant in Hard Rock Hotel, Singapore.


The traditional dish of abundance – ‘Lo Hei’ (捞起/鱼生) – will feature prominently on the festive menu too. Chefs at Feng Shui Inn have created the Flambé Salmon ‘Lo Hei’ – a medley of refreshing flavours and colours combined with thinly sliced fresh salmon infused with Chinese wine, presented in a colourful orangey burst of flames. For those yearning for something lighter, they can also opt for a new unique vegetarian creation filled with healthy greens and fresh fruits such as dragon fruits, kiwis and strawberries — Vegetarian ‘Lo Hei’.


Special arrangements have also been made for public transportation at the Resort during the festive period. RWS 8 will extend its service from 11.45pm to 2am (outbound to Vivo City only) on Lunar New Year’s Eve (9 February 2013). During the first three days of Lunar New Year (10 to 12 February 2013), the frequency of RWS 8 will also be ramped up to four-five minutes interval between 11am and 11.45pm.

Source : Resorts World Sentosa Ushers in the year of the Snake

Chinese New Year 2013 packages by Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer, a giant Ferris wheel located in Singapore, offers a flight of prosperity in Chinese New Year 2013. Visitors of this Giant Wheel of Fortune will have popular Signature Auspicious Trail between 1 – 28 Feb 2013 which includes:

* A Singapore Flight ticket to embark on the Signature Auspicious Trail
* A prosperity bag with a chocolate ingot
* A prosperity card with a 4D number *and a chance to win $888, a Lo Hei reunion dinner with Mediacorp DJs and many more!

And there are more packages for the Lunar New Year 2013.


Sky-Land-Sea Prosperity Flight Package
For price of $68 nett per adult and $54 nett per child (age 3 – 12), this package is valid between 1 – 28 Feb 2013 and includes:

* 1 Singapore Flight to embark on the Signature Auspicious Trail
* NEW! 1 River Taxi ride along Singapore River and Marina Reservoir (worth $7)**
* 1 FunVee open top city Adventure Hop-On and Hop-Off bus tour OR 1 FunVee open top night tour (includes Chinatown Chinese New Year street light up tour) (worth $19.90)**
* 1 Lo Hei platter^ (worth $8)
* 1 prosperity card with a lucky 4D number and a chance to win $888 and more
* 1 limited edition Singapore Flyer gift (Fengshui keychain) – for adult
* 1 limited edition Singapore Flyer Kid’s Fun Pack – for child

Singapore Flyer Chinese New Year Sky Dining Flight Package

Chinese New Year Sky Dining Flight Package

What about dining in the tallest observation wheel of the planet? This package worth $288++ per couple ($1,888 nett for private capsule up to 10 guests) and is valid from 8 – 24 Feb 2013 (exclude 12 – 14 Feb) between 7:30 pm & 8:30 pm. Your flight will include:

* 4-course fine-dining menu (which includes prosperity Lo Hei)
* 2 flight rotations (1 hour)
* In-flight butler service
* Exclusive check-in (Express boarding)
* Access to Flyer Lounge (Subject to availability)
* Free admission to Journey of Dreams interactive gallery (optional)

Chinese New Year 2013 with Marina Bay Sands

In Chinese New Year 2013, Marina Bay Sands will usher in the Year of the Snake with a bountiful array of shopping, dining and entertainment offerings. The integrated resort is celebrating the spring festival with an attractive line-up of activities, such as instant shopping rewards, blockbuster museum exhibitions and festive lion dance performances.

Guests of Marina Bay SandsIR can reward themselves as they do what they love at Marina Bay Sands with Sands Rewards LifeStyle, a brand new lifestyle loyalty program that rewards instantly with offers and members-only privileges. From 17 January to 10 February 2013, this loyalty program will be giving away $500,000 worth of destination dollars to 400 winners in its Prosperity with Style promotion. Membership is free.

Hourly draws will take place every Thursday to Sunday over four consecutive weeks, from 6 pm to 10 pm at the concierge on Galleria Level (B1), The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Every swipe of the membership card at any Sands Rewards LifeStyle kiosk will entitle a member to 10 free entries, where 25 lucky winners each draw night stand a chance to win up to $20,000 in destination dollars.

As members of Sands Rewards LifeStyle, guests can earn three per cent in destination dollars on all purchases. Members can also redeem destination dollars at Sands Rewards LifeStyle outlets and various Marina Bay Sands attractions including hotel, ArtScience Museum, Sands SkyPark Observation Deck and at over 175 partner boutiques and restaurants.


Shop and indulge at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

To welcome the Year of the Snake, all 300 boutiques and restaurants at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands will be operating as usual throughout Chinese New Year from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays to Thursdays and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

This year, there will be over 70 participating retailers offering attractive savings of up to 50 per cent.

For the first time, luxury Italian men’s label, a.testoni, will be presenting its limited edition Amedeo Testoni CNY 2013 shoes that can only be purchased with a special order. These highly coveted handcrafted leather shoes are available at S$5,888 only from 24 January to 17 February.

For a bit of sparkle and glam, shoppers can head to DeGem jewelry and enjoy 40 per cent off intricate jade pieces from 17 January to 24 February.

JiXiang Zhai, a boutique carrying oriental-inspired apparel for modern ladies, will be giving away a complimentary glass tea-pot worth S$48 with a minimum nett purchase of S$488 from 10 January to 15 February. Contemporary Chinese apparel chain Shanghai Tang will present a brand new Chinese New Year collection, ranging from exquisite snake-inspired accessories to sophisticated tableware from S$175.

Shoppers can look forward to 50 per cent savings off trendy shoes and accessories labels Nine West and Steve Madden from 1 to 28 February.

Shoppers who want to rejuvenate and pamper themselves can experience an intensive hair treatment for $58 (usual price S$348) at Urbanhair Marina with minimum purchase of S$200 worth of hair care products, or a stress fix massage at S$48 (usual price S$178) with minimum purchase of S$200 worth of skin and body care products.

From 17 January to 24 February 2013, shoppers will receive tantalizing treats including a limited edition faux snakeskin card holder, exclusive Marina Bay Sands red packets and a choice of TWG Tea’s Miraculous Mandarin Macarons or Au Chocolat’s Fabulous Fortune Chocolates, simply by spending S$188 at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

The first 88 shoppers who spend S$188 on the first two days of Chinese New Year (10 & 11 February 2013) will also receive an additional S$80 worth of shopping vouchers.

Marina Bay Sands

Dining with an oriental flair

Celebrity chef Guy Savoy has created a very special six- course Kraemer’s Dragon Menu as we countdown to the final weeks of the Year of the Dragon. For S$250++ per person, diners can experience the finest cuisine that King Louis of France would have delighted in, presented in a style that is truly befitting of the majesty of the Dragon.

This menu, available at Guy Savoy from now until 28 February 2013, is presented in conjunction with The Final 100 Days of the Year of the Dragon exhibition, an exquisite showcase of rare, original XVIIIth century, museum-quality furniture and decorative arts from the famed Kraemer Gallery Collections, based in Paris since 1875.The exhibition pays homage to both the Chinese and French civilizations in all their splendor, and is displayed at the Marina Bay Sands hotel lobby until 8 February 2013.

Renowned Master Chef Huang and his team at Jin Shan have crafted seven different dinner set menus that will showcase the best of Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan flavors. These menus, available throughout all 15 days of the Lunar New Year, start from S$128++ per person. Diners can look forward to ushering in a prosperous new year along with each dish which has been bestowed with an auspicious name. For a more intimate setting, diners can opt for the unique lantern dining rooms, which offer an unforgettable dining experience.

Au Chocolat, a French inspired confiserie (confectionery) and bistro is serving a special all-day four-course Chinese New Year menu at S$48++ from 14 January until 28 February 2013. Festive goodies crafted just for the festive season, such as the Chocolate Pralines and Dark Chocolate Orange Bars will be sold at this candy wonderland at S$16 and S$17 respectively from now until end of February.

Festive Almond Macarons filled with Candied Kumquat Ganache and Preserves will be available at SweetSpot priced at S$2.70 each. In addition, the Chinese New Year Cookie Trio features traditional dried prawn rolls, Green Pea cookies and Kueh Bangkit cookies, priced at S$15.00 per box. These festive treats will be available from 28 January until 24 February at the SweetSpot outlet located at hotel lobby Tower 3.


A rousing celebration
Marina Bay Sands will be drumming up the atmosphere property-wide on the first day of Chinese New Year. On 10 February, celebrate amidst the lively lion dance performances property-wide and roving entertainment around The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

During this auspicious period, visitors to ArtScience Museum can enjoy its three exceptional exhibitions: The Art of The Brick, Fujians: The Blue Ocean Legacy and Outside In: A Magnum Photos Showcase.

Visitors can also try their hands at several complimentary activities available at the museum that are suitable for both young and old. At the Fujians: The Blue Ocean Legacy exhibition,visitors will have the opportunity to create their own Fujian coin or unique ceramic ware every Sunday until 28 February. Admission to this workshop is complimentary for ticket-holders to Fujians: The Blue Ocean Legacy exhibition.

As part of Outside In: A Magnum Photos Showcase., participants can learn to create photographic images without the use of a camera. They will also gain insight from a professional photographer on how to enlarge and develop black and white photos in a darkroom setting through two hands-on workshops – the ArtScience of Photography and Darkroom Developments. Admission to these workshops is complimentary for ticket-holders to Outside In.

From 21 January 2013, the retail store at ArtScience Museum will also be bringing in a new range of merchandise specifically created for the spring festival. Visitors can purchase items inspired by the oriental holiday, such as coasters, table lamps and goodies boxes from three different themes - Cherry Blossom, Peranakan Collection and Yu Collection
.
Visitors are in for a visual treat this Chinese New Year all around Marina Bay, with the Sands SkyPark and Event Plaza being two of the many vantage points to witness the splendid fireworks display by the River Hong Bao (RHB) 2013. The annual festive celebration located on The Float at Marina Bay will be launching a spectacular fireworks display between 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on 8 February, as well as on 9 February just before midnight.

Chinese New Year 2013 room packages in Singapore

Chinese New Year 2013 is approaching and by now many hotels in Singapore have started to offer Lunar New year Room Packages which can make the long Chinese New Year holiday a great staycation in one of Singapore's many luxury hotels.

Here is a list of some Chines New Year 2013 room packages.

Goodwood Park Hotel, a luxury heritage hotel in Singapore, is offering Chinese New Year Prosperity Package valid for booking from now to February 24th 2013 for a stay period of 1 to 24 February 2013. The package, which is $248++ per room per night, includes:

• Stay in Deluxe Room
• $38Nett F&B credit per room per night, non-accumulative to wine and dine at L'Espresso and Gordon Grill.
• Complimentary late check-out till 3pm (subject to availability).
• 20% discount on ala carte spa services and treatments at Spa Rael.
• 10% discount on à la carte hair services and treatments (excluding Brazilian treatments) at Georgina’s salon.
• For haircut with colour or haircut with perm at Georgina’s salon, receive a complimentary hair treatment worth S$150 in addition to the 10% discount.
• Upgrade to Deluxe Tower room at additional $70++ per room per night or to Poolside Suite (inclusive of breakfast) at additional $175++ per room per night.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore offers luxurious Lunar New Year room packages between 1 to 17 February 2013. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore's Chinese New Year room package starts from S$338 (applicable for single or double occupancy) per night for a Courtyard Room which includes complimentary American Buffet Breakfast for 2 persons at Town Restaurant, complimentary Internet connectivity and a dining credit of $30 nett per stay to enjoy Jade restaurant’s Lunar New Year culinary offerings. The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore's Chinese New Year room package starts at S$408 (applicable for single or double occupancy) per night for a Deluxe Room. You can take pleasure in the hotel’s stylish surrounds and your own private balcony along with a sumptuous Breakfast for 2 persons at Clifford restaurant, complimentary Internet connectivity and a dining credit of $30nett per stay which is valid for use at Jade restaurant.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and Fullerton Hotel Singapore (seen on the upper left side) are two of many
Singapore Hotels offering Lunar New year Room Packages.

Luxurious Grand Park City Hall Hotel located on Coleman Street is offering Lunar New Year & Valentine’s Day promotion. Simply book 2 consecutive nights or more in February and enjoy 1 additional night free!

Pan Pacific Singapore is another luxury hotel offering Lunar New Year Room Package. Valid for booking by 24 Feb 2013 for stay between 8 February 2013 until 24 February 2013 you can enjoy:

• One complimentary standard "Lo Hei" set at Edge restaurant
• Buffet breakfast for two at Edge restaurant
• Welcome drink upon arrival
• 15% off a la carte treatments at St Gregory Spa
• Complimentary Parking

You can choose among several room options : Deluxe Rooms for S$318++ per room per night, Panoramic Rooms for S$338++ per room per night, Harbour Studio for S$358++ per room per night, City Suite
for S$388++ per room per night and Pacific King for S$398++ per room per night.

Riverview Hotel Singapore offers a Chinese New Year hotel promotion for stay between now – 17 Feb 2013 which comes with free daily dining voucher worth S$80 during your stay. The prices are: S$180 per night for a Superior Room, S$210 per night for a Deluxe Room or S$260 per night for an Executive Club Room.

Chinese New Year 2013 Room and Dining Packages from Fullerton Hotels

Between 1 to 17 February 2013, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore offers luxurious Lunar New Year room packages. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore's Chinese New Year room package starts from S$338 (applicable for single or double occupancy) per night for a Courtyard Room which includes complimentary American Buffet Breakfast for 2 persons at Town Restaurant, complimentary Internet connectivity and a dining credit of $30 nett per stay to enjoy Jade restaurant’s Lunar New Year culinary offerings. You can call call (65) 6222 8088 or email reservations@fullertonhotel.com for reservations and enquires.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore's Chinese New Year room package starts at S$408 (applicable for single or double occupancy) per night for a Deluxe Room. You can take pleasure in the hotel’s stylish surrounds and your own private balcony along with a sumptuous Breakfast for 2 persons at Clifford restaurant, complimentary Internet connectivity and a dining credit of $30nett per stay which is valid for use at Jade restaurant.  Call (65) 6533 8388 or email reservations@fullertonbayhotel.com for reservations and enquires.

See this article for other Chinese New Year 2013 Hotel Packages.

For Chinese New Year 2013, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s elegant Jade Restaurant offers CULINARY FEASTS AT JADE between 18 January to 24 February 2013:

"The Lunar New Year celebration is only complete with traditional delights and auspicious symbolism Indulge family, friends, business partners and colleagues with a hearty meal to welcome the Year of the Snake at Jade restaurant as our award-winning Chef Leong Chee Yeng presents authentic and nostalgic flavours in his new as well as signature creations. His new dishes reveal flavours that are rooted in Chinese tradition while at the same time, healthy and creatively presented. They include Individual Fortune Treasure Pot, Poached Pork and Seaweed Dumplings with Spicy Vinaigrette and Red Bean Wrapped in Peanut Wheatgrass Glutinous Rice Roll Accompanied with Oven-baked Nian Gao Tart.  His well-loved  Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng with Champagne Jelly  and  Eight Treasures Pen Cai will return to feature on the menu. Sumptuous reunion set menus which consist of a variety of these dishes are priced from S$68* per person.[1]

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (Fullerton Hotel Singapore can be seen on the upper left side)

Jade restaurant’s a la carte highlights include: 

-  Individual Fortune Treasure Pot

The thoughtful culinary team from Jade restaurant understands that small families and couples love the sumptuous and lavish ingredients in the traditional Pen Cai. As the dish usually caters to a minimum of 6 persons, Jade restaurant is specially introducing a petit Pen Cai,  Individual Fortune Treasure Pot, this year. This fortune pot features 8 precious ingredients including Abalone, Dried Scallop, Fish  Maw, Sea Cucumber, Fish Maw, Dried Oyster, Black Moss and Flower Mushroom – all braised to perfection in quality stock. Priced at S$88* per person.

-  Poached Pork and Seaweed Dumpling with Spicy Vinaigrette

Dating back more than 1,800 years, the Chinese dumpling is historically one of the most important Lunar New Year dishes. Resembling the gold or silver ingot, it is believed that the more dumplings one eats during the spring festival, the more fortune it will bring. Jade restaurant’s dumplings feature seaweed which is healthy and nutritious. Priced at S$16* for 8 pieces and S$38* for 20 pieces.

-  Braised Shredded Eel with Chinese Wine in Superior Chicken Broth

In honor of the Year of the Snake, Chef Leong introduces a comforting tonic soup with eel in a superior chicken broth which is boiled for over 8 hours and served with a dash of Chinese wine. Priced at S$28* per person.


-  Red Snapper in Two Ways – Sautéed in Spring Onion Ginger Sauce and Sautéed in Spicy Pumpkin Puree

What would a Chinese New Year meal be without the symbolic fish which represents ‘abundance’ or ‘surplus’? Beautifully presented for the reunion dinner, the Red Snapper is deep-fried with the head and tail intact with the fillet crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. One portion is coated with a classic homemade spring onion and ginger sauce and the other with sweet pumpkin puree that has a hint of spiciness from freshly grounded peppercorns. Priced at S$10* per 100 gram.


-  Red Bean Wrapped in Peanut Wheatgrass Glutinous Rice Roll Accompanied with Oven-baked Nian Gao Tart

Chef Leong has specially created a combination of sweet treats that will not only delight the little ones but people of all ages. His glutinous rice rolls that are made of wheatgrass and filled with red bean paste and crunchy peanuts resemble spring rolls which symbolize wealth. Chef Leong also presents the traditional Nian Gao in a delicate pastry tart which can be eaten in one bite. They are freshly-baked daily and have a well-balanced sweetness. Priced at $8* per portion for dine-in only, also available in a box of 8 Nian Gao Tarts at S$28+.

-  Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng

A Jade restaurant signature, Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng is a delectable creation with salmon, homemade Champagne Jelly which features edible gold leaves, olive oil and apple plum dressing. The shimmering Champagne Jelly symbolizes wealth and prosperity, accentuates the Yu Sheng aesthetically, and provides a delightful bite. Unique to Jade, the Gold Leafed bubbly Champagne Jelly Yu Sheng will heighten the celebratory mood with a touch of luxury. In addition, guests will relish the thrill of searching for the glittering Champagne Jelly after tossing the Yu Sheng. Available in small, medium and large servings priced at S$48*, S$78* and S$118* respectively; available for takeaway as well.

-  Eight Treasures Pen Cai

Another signature and lavish dish of Jade restaurant, the Eight Treasures Pen Cai is packed with 19 precious ingredients including succulent Six Head Whole Abalones, Fish Maw, Premium Sea Cucumbers, Dried Scallops, Pork Trotters, Dried Oysters, Black Moss, Flower Mushroom, Chicken Wing stuffed with Chinese Ham, Roasted Duck, Prawns, Fish Roll (Red Garoupa meat delicately handmade into the shape of  an adorable miniature fish), Goose Web, Yam, Lotus Root, Chinese Cabbage, Carrot, Leek and Chestnuts with quality stock in a casserole pot. Priced at S$788* for 6 persons or S$1,288* for 10 persons; orders a day in advance are needed and available for takeaway as well.

For dining enquiries or reservations, please call (65) 6877 8188 or email jade@fullertonhotel.com.

[1] - USHER IN SPRING WITH TRADITIONAL LUNAR NEW YEAR DELIGHTS AND A REJUVENATING STAY AT THE FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

Welcome the Year of the Snake with Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

In Eastern mythology the Snake, the sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac, is said to be the most enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the animal signs.

Why not welcome the Chinese New Year of the Snake at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok with the Chinese New Year 2013 package? Including luxurious accommodations, daily breakfast, and a special Year of the Snake good luck amenity, the package places guests in the heart of this dynamic city, giving them easy and convenient access to all that Bangkok has to offer. And guests staying three or more nights will also receive exclusive Executive Club benefits, including breakfast, evening cocktails and canapés in the Hotel's Executive Club Lounge, internet access and unlimited garment pressing.

The Chinese New Year package is available from February 1 to 28, 2013 at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. Chinese New Year packages are also available at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, so how about indulging in a Tour of Thailand this Chinese New Year? The perfect way to start the new Year of the Snake in style with family and friends.

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok Chinese New Year 2013 package includes daily breakfast for two, Chinese New Year welcome amenity, Complimentary Executive Club access for guests who stay three or more nights and Luxurious accommodations.

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok Bangkok is 25 km from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and is situated among many shopping venues and business addresses. It is also just a ten-minute walk to Lumpini Park, where guests can enjoy an evening walk or morning jog. There are many dining options available to guests including the Madison, a contemporary steak house that has an open kitchen. In addition to the displayed artwork, and sprawling 25 meter-swimming pool, this five-star hotel has a visually stunning tropical garden, which spreads over 10 acres of land.

Chinese New Year 2013

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or  Spring Festival in China, is the most important holiday for Chinese in and out of China. The festival, which marks the end of the winter season, is, at 15 days, the longest holiday in China. It is almost compulsory for Chinese families to gather on Chinese New Year's Eve for a reunion dinner, so the period before Chinese New Year sees one of the largest annual human migration on the planet since many migrant Chinese travels back to their home towns to meet with their families.

When is the Chinese New Year 2013?

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. Since the traditional Chinese calendar is lunisolar (the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year"), whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year, its date falls on different dates each year in the modern Gregorian calendar.

Chinese New Year 2013 (Chūnjié / 春節 2013)  will be start on Sunday 10 February 2013, and the festival will last until the Sunday, 24 February 2013.

What is The Chinese New Year about?

Chinese New Year marks the beginning of a new lunar year in Chinese Calendar so it is actually a new year for Chinese. It is derived from end-of-harvest celebrations of the distant pass and institutionalized by Han Dynasty of China.

Which Chinese Zodiac animal will Chinese New Year 2013?

In traditional Chinese culture, each year has its own corresponding animal from the Chinese Zodiac, a cycle of 12 animals. By Chinese New Year 2013, we will leave The Year of Dragon  (Lóng / 龍) and enter The Year of Snake (蛇 Shé). Snake Years are sixth in the cycle, following the Dragon Years, and recur every twelfth year (the previous snake year started back in January 24th 2001).

In traditional Chinese belief, people born in a specific zodiac share some common characters and fortune. Some zodiac animals are favored some are not. This is the reason in Chinese dominated countries, you see a lot of pregnant woman around in the year of the dragon while the number significantly falls in the year of the tiger.

Southeast Asia's largest temple Kek Lok Si in Penang, Malaysia during Lunar New Year 

The Origins of Chinese New Year
End-of-harvest celebrations when people would offer thanks to gods for good harvests and entreaty for a good crop in the following year are believed to be the origins of The Chinese New Year. These customs were formalized under Han Dynasty (206BC-AD 25) rule and become The Lunar New Year celebrations as we know them now.

Chinese New Year Public Holidays around the world

In countries with sizable Chinese population, Chinese New Year is a public holiday. Here are the countries where Lunar New Year is a holiday with holiday dates:

People's Republic of China - Feb 9 - 11 2013 are public holidays. Feb 12 - Feb 15 common local holidays.
Hong Kong and Macau - Feb 9 - 12 2013 public holiday.
Republic of China (Taiwan), Thailand and Vietnam - Feb 9 - 12 2013 public holiday.
Singapore and Malaysia - 10-11 February 2013 public holiday. New Year's Eve is unofficially half day.