Where to go on Chinese New Year

Picture by gerrypopplestone
Chinese New Year at Wat Mangkong Kamalawat


Say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and hello to the Year of the Dragon: Bangkoks Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year on Monday (January 23) and until Tuesday. There will be street parties with drums, dragons, firewirks, a lion dance contest, Chinese opera, fashion shows and a lot of Chinese food. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening of the Bangkok Chinatown Festival 2012 on January 23 at 5 pm. This takes place at the King’s Birthday Celebration Arch at Odeon Circle. Two cultural shows, one presented by Thais and the other hosted by China's Ministry of Culture, will be performed, followed by a one-and-a-half-hour Yaowarat Cultural Showcase. Some streets in Bangkoks Chinatown are turned to Walking Streets from 6 pm on Sunday 22 until 4 am on Tuesday 24.

Already Sunday is a good time to visit Chinaatown, "as everyone is getting ready for the Chinese New Year", writes Richard Barrow on thaitravelblogs.com. Tipps for a Walking Tour and a Map: Explore the heart of Chinatown


More activities:

Shows by Chinese artists at shopping malls: At Parc Paragon of Siam Paragon, Discovery Plaza of Siam Center and Siam Discovery and at the Central Court, 1st floor of CentralWorld. Read more.

Bangkok's 5 most luxe menus for Chinese New Year: Read on lifestyleasia.com

Big celebrations for Chinese New Year also happen in other cities of Thailand:
In Suphan Buri, celebrations will take place from Jan 23-29 at the Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon. In Ayutthaya, the festival will take place from Jan 24-29 along Naresuan Road, from Chao Phrom Market to Chao Ai Chao Yi Chedi. In Ratchaburi, celebrations will take place from Sun, Jan 22-26 in front of the Ratchaburi National Museum. In Nakhon Sawan province, also known as Pak Nam Pho, the ongoing celebrations citywide will last until Jan 27. In Chiang Mai, celebrations will take place during Jan 23-24 at Lao Chow Lane. The Chinese National Opera will perform on Jan 24. In Phuket the Phuket Chinese New Year Festival 2012 will be held from Jan 28-30 at Phuket Old Town on Klang, Thalang and Thepkasatri roads. Read more on thaitravelblogs and on bangkokpost.com