Celebrate Chunjie: Year of the Tiger
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2010
Be mesmerised by the festive bazaars in Chinatown and the dazzling display of lights as you soak up the excitement of the season where everyone celebrates the dawning of Spring. Don't forget to pick up a couple of festive souvenirs either. This is the place for the yummiest Chinese New Year treats and unique heritage sights.
Chinatown: Old vs New
Thian Hock Keng Temple
www.thianhockkeng.com.sg
Thian Hock Keng is one of the oldest and most important Hokkien temples in Singapore, with its construction dating back to 1842.
Sri Mariamman Temple
Singapore's oldest and most important Hindu temple, which is famous for its intricate entrance tower featuring sculptures of deities and sacred animals.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
www.btrts.org.sg
Inspired by architecture from the Tang Dynasty era, this magnificent temple is home to the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic – a tooth that is believed to have been one of Buddha Shakyamuni's.
Tong Heng Bakery
Loyal customers swear by this fourth-generation Chinese bakery's egg tarts. A household name that has been around for the past 89 years, it also sells traditional Chinese baked goods like mooncakes during festive periods.
Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium
www.yuehwa.com.sg
With a history spanning more than 45 years, this Chinatown landmark is well-known for its wide range of authentic Chinese goods such as tea, herbs, handicrafts, silk products and more.
Asylum
www.theasylum.com.sg
Headed by founder and creative head honcho Chris Lee, this design/studio gallery is where all the cool, hip kids get their fix of limited-edition and hard-to-find labels and music by kooky, experimental musicians.
Magma German Wine Bistro + Shop
www.magmatc.com
The old meets the new at Magma. Enjoy an exquisite glass of German wine with roasted suckling pig in beer/honey gravy this February, then head up to Siong Leng Musical Association (no. 4B), which is housed in the same premises, where one of the treasures of traditional Chinese musical arts and Liyuan Opera are still being practised. Catch them in rehearsal on Saturdays from 2 - 5pm (closed from 10-21 Feb 2010).
The Screening Room
www.screeningroom.com.sg
You've heard of pairing food with wine, but how about pairing food with movies? At this unique restaurant, film buffs can feast on the film-themed creations of executive chef Samia Ahad and then adjourn to the restaurant's very own screening room to watch silver screen classics in luxurious comfort.
The Make Up Room
www.the-makeuproom.com
Get your beauty fix at The Make Up Room and lay your lips on BeYu's Lip Lights which comes complete with an LED-lamp!
My Art Space
www.myartspace.com.sg
Check out this art exhibition titled "Chinatown in Singapore" by resident artist Chankerk between 4 February and 23 February 2010 at the largest studio-gallery space in Singapore at My Art Space. Admission is free.
