Discover everything you need to know about travel, shopping, upcoming events, and more in Malaysia.
Discover everything you need to know about travel, shopping, upcoming events, and more in Malaysia.
Malaysia often celebrates the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year in a big way, with vibrant celebrations that honour the country's rich traditions and festive spirit. This holiday is one of the most important cultural events of the year for the Chinese community. It marks a time of joy and unity and honours the traditions from generation to generation. Here are the top 10 Chinese New Year traditions you should experience in Malaysia:
The reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year is a cornerstone of the festival. It’s a time for slurping noodles and shouting for good luck for the year ahead, when families get together to dote over each other and just simply eat. Dishes include yee sang (prosperity salad), dumplings and steamed fish. Loved ones from all over join restaurants and homes for laughter and cheer.
You'll want to see the lion and dragon dances during the celebrations. They're a symbol of good fortune and ward off evil spirits. You'll often find them in shopping malls, temples, and residential areas. The drumbeats that accompany these dances are lovely too!
Chinese New Year is red-dominated, representing luck and prosperity. Red lanterns, banners, and couplets are hung on homes, shops and streets. The atmosphere is unmistakably festive and is perfect for taking photos.
One reason to return home every Lunar New Year is to exchange red packets (ang pow) filled with money. These packets are given to children or unmarried people as symbols of good luck and blessings. Don’t forget to bring Ang Pow if you’re visiting friends or family.
During Chinese New Year, temples become hubs of activity. They visit temples to pray for health, wealth and happiness. During this time, the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur became particularly popular, and its architecture was magnificent.
Fireworks and firecrackers are a must-have for the Chinese New Year. They are believed to scare away bad luck and welcome prosperity. Especially on the eve of New Year, watch the skies light up in vibrant colours.
The interactive dining tradition involves tossing a plate of “yee sang” while chanting for success and happiness. The better luck, the higher you toss! Yee sang is a fun and tasty way to celebrate, and restaurants all over Malaysia offer it.
Dressing in new clothes, especially red or other bright colours, symbolises a fresh start and a hopeful year ahead. Before the New Year, many people get new haircuts to leave behind any negativity from the past.
Chinese New Year open houses are a uniquely Malaysian way to celebrate. Families host friends, neighbours, and strangers to snack, eat traditional treats, and eat meals. It’s a great way to taste the warm Chinese community.
Chinese New Year is also the time for delicious treats. Pineapple tarts, nian gao (sticky rice cake) and love letters (crispy rolled wafers) are all essential to the celebrations. These delightful snacks are stocked in markets and homes.
Chinese New Year in Malaysia is not just a cultural experience, it is a blindingly colorful experience that brings people together and spreads their joy. From finding delightful festive delicacies that should be devoured to witnessing lion dances all come to dazzle and seeing man bestiality, the excitement is going to be all one can ask for.
For this Chinese New Year, see the celebrations and get involved in the traditions that set this season apart in Malaysia.