If there’s a most important event in every Chinese, it’s none other than the Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival and Lunar New Year. In fact, this event has remained the most important social and economic holiday in China. It is celebrated at the end and beginning of a year in accordance on the lunar calendar.
Since, Chinese New Year is one such time when all Malaysians come together to celebrate, visiting these places will surely make the festivity more joyful and prosperous!
1. Light incense and pray at the temple.
Every Lunar New Year, Chinese go to the temple to light incense and pray for a year full of blessings, peace, good health and success. People believe that lighting of incense brings good luck.
2. Lantern Festival
Lantern Festival is one of the most-awaited event by most people during Chinese New Year. As a matter of fact, Malaysia offers several good places where you can enjoy colorful lanterns!
Penang Temple
Kek Lok Si, one of the landmarks in Penang where you can witness colorful neon lights and the eye-catching hanging lanterns.
Location: 1000-L, Tingkat Lembah Ria 1, 11500 Air Itam, Pulau Pinang
Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen
Every year, the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen temple is designed based on the different zodiac signs. In line with this, there are also some art exhibitions and performance activities that add colors to the celebration of Chinese New Year.
Location: PT 2297, Jalan Sungai Buaya, Kampung Jenjarom, 42600 Kuala Langat, Selangor
Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur
One of the historic Chinese temples in Kuala Lumpur, wherein red lanterns are being hanged during the Lunar New Year.
Location: 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur
3. Penang CNY Celebration at Yap Kongsi Temple
One of the biggest Spring Festival celebrations in Penang where people can enjoy numbers of street stalls and cultural performances. This year, the fair will he held on February 25, 2018 around 4:00pm to 11:00pm in the historic area of George Town, Penang.
Location: George Town, Penang
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasirpanjangdabogong/
4. Tua Pek Kong Temple
This temple, which is more than a century-old serves as the most popular temple in Perak. The temple is famed for a row of giant white stone statues of a seated Tua Pek Kong, Guan Yin and other deities, tigers, lions and monkey facing the sea of the Straits of Malacca.
Many people come to the temple to burn incense and pray, while some also go to local stores to shop local products.
Location: Jalan Pasir Panjang, Kampung Pasir Panjang Laut, Sitiawan, Perak
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasirpanjangdabogong/
5. Putuo Village
Aside from being a good place for those who for a place to hide from their busy city life, Putuo Village is also a must-go during CNY, since it is a Buddhist. Walk inside the temple and you can see the 12 Buddhist Patron and 12 Dharmapala.
Location: 1488, Jalan Kampung Felda Taib Andak, Off Jalan Kota Tinggi, Felda Taib Andak. 81000 Kulai, Johor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putuovillage/?ref=br_rs
6. Hakka Village at Balik Pulau, Penang
If Chinese New Year is one of the times when you have the chance to get away from work, then seize the opportunity to relax at Balik Kampung Lodge in Penang! This Hakka village will allow you to enjoy Hakka culture and food as well as outdoor activities.
Location: 61, Jalan Balik Kebun Kha, Pulau Betong 11020, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: http://www.balikpulaulodge.com/
7. Terengganu Chinatown
You probably don’t know this, but Terengganu also has a Chinatown which is another must-go place during Chinese New Year. The Chinatown preserves many antique tea room, restaurants, stores and even has Chinese murals where visitors can take a photo.