Chinese New Year

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  altomic on 31/01/2015 - 01:23

  +4

  Wednesday, 18th Feb, is the eve of Lunar New Year. Thursday will be the first day.

  if you are thinking about booking a table to eat, you should have no problem. Most restaurants are open. It's the Chinese restaurants that will be busier than usual.

  Public transport runs as usual. In fact MRT usually extends operational hours on the eve of public holidays. However, you may have a longer wait for taxis during holidays.

  On the eve, fastfood outlets opened as usual. Malls, shops and supermarkets in Chinatown and the core city area will close early. Hotel restaurants and other F&B outlets function as usual. Chinese restaurants will be very busy and usually charges a premium for their CNY menus.

  On the first day of the Chinese New Year, most shops, malls and department stores are closed but supermarkets usually are opened albeit at a shorter hours. Things usually get back to normal by the second day of CNY.

  Note that shops and restaurants at the other ethnic areas such as Little India and Geylang operate as normal. Mustafa, 7-11 and Cheers are open 24/7.

  You can go to River Hong Bao at Marina Bay or Chinatown to join in the festivities of ushering the Lunar New Year.

  All places of interests/ tourist attractions are open. You can have your pick. Just don't go to Chinatown as it will be quiet.

  Personally, I won't go to Botanic Gardens after 12. It's too hot. I'd rather go to Gardens By The Bay for the domes. ;) Cooled, especially the Cloud Forest. But you may feel differently. After Gardens By the Bay you may want to take a stroll around Marina Bay. It is a lovely evening walk around the Promenade.

• 

  lenlynn on 31/01/2015 - 18:12

  +1

  Good time to go if you are interested in trying the CNY food and seeing the dragon/lion dances, decorations and that sort of stuff. But otherwise usually I avoid CNY cos it gets too crowded, prices are higher than usual and it can still be raining quite a bit in early February.