Bountiful Blessings at Kwai Chai Hong
Those celebrating Chinese New Year will fondly recall running around with lanterns in all shapes and sizes at family reunions. While we’ve grown out of this festive activity, we can still appreciate their symbolism and beauty this time of the year.
Here to celebrate the Year of the Snake with dazzling glow is Kuala Lumpur’s Kwai Chai Hong, which has been decorated with a sea of huge fish-shaped lanterns overhead reminiscent of the ones from our childhood.
Feel all the Chinese New Year vibes at Kwai Chai Hong
To be mesmerised by how vibrant the lanterns are, you’ll want to make your way to Kwai Chai Hong in Petaling Street soon for their Bountiful Blessings installation for the Chinese New Year 2025. The iconic alleyway in KL, best known for its collection of street art murals and eateries, is lit up with a dozen or so lanterns from now till 16th February 2025.
Embodying the cherished Chinese idiom Nian Nian You Yu (年年有余), the festive display invites visitors to snap a galore of photos while pondering on the abundance of good fortune that the season brings. It opens daily from 9am-12am, with visits in the evening highly recommended to see the lanterns in their full glowing glory.
Admission to this event is free.
What you can expect at Bountiful Blessings
Visitors will begin their journey at the Blessing Bridge, a symbolic pathway in the alley adorned with lanterns hanging overhead. Take a moment to pause and take a closer look at the components of the installation, as they are inscribed with wishes of good fortune.
Wander further into the historic lane to spot the fish lanterns scattered around the space. Each intricately crafted piece blends traditional crafting techniques with modern, energy-efficient LED lights so they can glow for long periods of time.
Instead of focusing on the zodiac animal of the year, fish lanterns are chosen as they are staples of the Chinese New Year celebrations, signifying abundance and warding off negativity.
Beyond admiring the stunning lantern displays, visitors are invited to join the Fish Lantern Parade on 18th January at 7pm. The parade will depart from Kwai Chai Hong and make its way through the streets of Jalan Panggung, Jalan Petaling, and Jalan Balai Polis.
To add to the festive cheer, the Happy Fish Weekend Marketplace will host local vendors selling unique handicrafts and local delicacies. The bazaar opens on 18th and 19th January, from 9am-6pm.
Visit the Bountiful Blessings at Kwai Chai Hong for CNY
If you want to soak up the Chinese New Year vibes this year, there’s no better place to be than at Kwai Chai Hong for their Bountiful Blessings installation. The spectacle of dazzling lights from symbolic lanterns will launch you into the festive spirit in no time.
Venue: Kwai Chai Hong, Lorong Panggung, City Centre, 50000, Kuala Lumpur
Dates: Now till 16th February 2025
Opening hours: 9am-12am, Daily
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Yusintha.