Page 62 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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FESTIVALS AND PARTIES FORGET NEW YEAR

IN HONG KONG?

THE BUILD-UP Hong Kong’s festivities are the
model for Chinese New Year celebrations in
every Chinatown around the world. The
Cathay Pacific International Chinese New
Year Night Parade is undoubtedly the world’s
largest Chinese New Year parade, and Hong
Kong’s computer-controlled fireworks display
over Victoria Harbour is certainly a stunner.

THE LETDOWN Hong Kong swells with
visitors during this time, the majority of whom
come from mainland China. The choke on
ABOVE Colorful lanterns in Chinatown during Chinese New Year, Singapore services, hotel rooms, and public
transportation is frustrating, and in recent
years visitors have complained about
New Year, Locals and tourists alike flock to Marina Bay to see in unscrupulous hawkers seeking money for
admission at events that are supposed to be
the New Year, which is welcomed with eye-popping
Singapore fireworks over the water, set spectacularly against free of charge. The party’s famous parade has
also been moved from its traditional
the city skyline. In Chinatown, a countdown party
downtown Hong Kong route to Tsim Sha Tsui
kicks off an all-night street rave that throbs with
vs New Year, music from international DJs and live bands. All in nearby Kowloon. While there’s more
breathing space here, many people complain
over the city, parties carry on until the wee hours.
that the spectacle has lost its authentic flavor.
Hong Kong into the New Year with the 15-day Singapore River GOING ANYWAY? Book early. Reserve your
A festival feel continues throughout the city well
Hongbao, held in Esplanade Park. At this event, flights, hotel rooms, and even meals well in
Chinese New Year in exotic, cosmopolitan which is unique to Singapore, visitors are sprinkled advance, and be prepared for delays, long lines,
Singapore outstrips the Hong Kong party with gold dust and confetti bearing lucky numbers, and surcharges everywhere you go.
towering displays depict mythological figures from
Chinese lore, and nightly performances feature
NEED TO KNOW
acrobatics, traditional music, and martial arts. Carnival
LOCATION Singapore is rides run along the waterfront and nightly firework
an island city-state situated
60 miles (96 km) north of ."-":4*" displays illuminate the city skyline. At the same time,
the equator, at the tip of the iconic riverside complex known as Esplanade –
the Malaysian peninsula
$IBOHJ Theatres on the Bay hosts the Huayi Chinese Festival
WHEN Chinese New Year is in *OUFSOBUJPOBM
"JSQPSU of the Arts, which stages visual arts performances
the first month of the Chinese 4*/("103&
lunar calendar (Jan–Feb) that embody the spirit of Chinese culture.
VISITORS PER YEAR $)*/"508/ The climax of Singapore’s Chinese New Year, the ABOVE Partying masses on the street during Hong Kong’s
Around 1 million people – foreign Chinese New Year celebrations, China
4USBJU PG
and local – attend the event 4JOHBQPSF Chingay Parade of DreamS is a night-time spectacle
of floats, 4,000 performers in glittering costumes,
and performances by guest troupes. The parade
The most important event of the Chinese calendar winds through historic downtown and is followed
is a breath of fresh air in Singapore, where revelers by an all-night dance party under the stars. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
can join in the celebrations without being swallowed
up by crowds, overwhelmed by long lines, and Getting There and Around Hotel (www.raffleshotel.com)
hindered by city-wide restaurant and shop closings Singapore’s Changi International for a taste of East meets West,
Airport is a 25-minute drive from Singapore-style.
typical of the holiday in Hong Kong.
the city center. Taxis are the best Where to Stay
Leading up to the event, Singapore’s Chinatown
way to travel to the city, and Request a room facing Marina
is a bustling hive of shoppers. The neighborhood’s within the city they are a reliable Bay at the Ritz-Carlton, Millennia
picturesque narrow streets, lined with charming option. Buses and a train system Singapore (www.ritzcarlton.com).
pre-war shophouses, are draped with red lanterns, called the MRT are also easy to use. Daytime Temperature
twinkling lights, and banners. Hawkers sell Where to Eat 86°F (30°C) at the time of
traditional Chinese goodies, such as Mandarin Singapore’s dining scene is very Chinese New Year.
orange shrubs, peach blossoms, potted bamboo diverse. During the festival, some Budget per Day for Two
stalks, bak kwa (barbecued pork), pineapple tarts, restaurants close and others get US$450, including food, lodging,
fully booked, but there will always transportation, and entrance fees.
and decorations for the home. Late into the evening,
be something tempting open. Website
visitors can watch lion dances and other music,
Try Doc Cheng’s at the Raffles www.visitsingapore.com
dance and theater performances in the streets. ABOVE Street dancers rehearsing for the Chingay Parade of DreamS

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