Travel Tips

The Spring Festival is celebrated with fervour in Singapore even though we only have two seasons - rain or shine. Yes, hundreds of little stalls literally pop up in Chinatown like mushrooms after a downpour. Selling their colourful wares for the Spring festival or the Chinese New Year, these stalls are a sight to behold for Singaporeans and Non-Singaporeans alike.
You'll see unusual things that you won't see for the rest of the year - Witless Singaporeans queueing up for garish red pieces of BBQ pork for more 5 hours, clueless shoppers buying strange China candy that they probably won't eat, desperate shoppers begging a teenager dressed like a diety for lucky numbers, etc. Did I also mention the strange goods that you'll find ? Air-dried sea slugs ( sea cucumber ) from Taiwan, spring blossoms from China, dried geckos from God-knows-where.
Also, you'll see more people here than the Exodus, so be prepared to jostle with the crowd. Despite the tight squeeze, I'll say this is best experience Singapore can offer any tourist.
This is the best time to visit Singapore as everyone's in a happy and festive mood. Also, the Chinatown New Year Bazzar is one of Singapore's biggest Events and the best slice of local culture that you can get.
Do take note however, that this festive bazzar is only up till the eve of the Chinese New Year. There's also the "River Hong Bao at Marina" to check out after the New Year. If not, try visiting Singapore the next year for this event. You won't regret it....

You'll see a sea of tourists and locals thronging through the street. The atmosphere is almost electric with the constant buying and selling. Rows of colourful lanterns and coloured lights festooned across the narrow streets bring more festive cheer.

Every year, without fail, you'll see the God of Fortune in Chinatown. Now, who is he? Well, I was about to say that he's the skinny teenager dressed in the red robe promoting beer but let's go beyound this kitschy promotion.
According to Chinese lore, the God of Fourtune (CAI SHEN YE ) is the deity that will make you Daddy Warbucks if you pray to him. Almost every Chinese household or shop have a small golden likeness of him and offerings are given to him to guarantee a prosperous year ahead. So, if you happen to bump into him in Chinatown, don't be surprised to see the locals begging him for lucky numbers to be played in the local sweepstakes.