Singapore during Chinese New Year

[motef]

Hi, we are looking at approx a week in Singapore on the way back from the Maldives in 2023.

The dates we have penciled in are either just before Chinese New Year or during.

Can anybody please give me the experience of what Singapore is like during the Chinese New Year? Are lots of places shut for the public holidays and celebrations and best avoided or is it a great time to go?

Thanks

 

[kyle]

We were in Singapore on the first day of CNY on the way to Maldives in Jan 2020. All of the food courts were closed, but MBS and all the hotel restaurants were open. Then nearly everything was open the next day. Everyone packed into MBS. There were festivals and celebrations everywhere on different days. When we got back to Singapore in Feb after Maldives, it was very quiet because all the Chinese mainlanders had left due to the border closures so not representative of the usual crowd levels.

 

[motef]

We were in Singapore on the first day of CNY on the way to Maldives in Jan 2020. All of the food courts were closed, but MBS and all the hotel restaurants were open. Then nearly everything was open the next day. Everyone packed into MBS. There were festivals and celebrations everywhere on different days. When we got back to Singapore in Feb after Maldives, it was very quiet because all the Chinese mainlanders had left due to the border closures so not representative of the usual crowd levels.

Thanks
Having never been to Singapore before would you recommend going at this time of year for a first timer?

 

[kyle]

Thanks
Having never been to Singapore before would you recommend going at this time of year for a first timer?

I think around that time is good because the weather is more of a dry heat with some breeze and not as humid. With the festivities going on and the decorations, it does have a great atmosphere.

 

[auriga]

You certainly won't get the "full" Singapore experience during CNY (for at least the 3-5 days of CNY). Besides most Chinese businesses being closed, lots of Singaporeans go away overseas, many Malaysians/Mainland Chinese go back home.
Malay/Indian/International stalls and shops will be open.
Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely not representative.

 

[motef]

I’m a little bit torn because my research on the Maldives tells me that at CNY the occupancy rates go through the roof. Like 95%+. So would like to avoid a crazy busy time at the Maldives and would like to avoid Public Holidays in SIN. Might just move the whole thing to Feb.

 

[daft009]

I would stick to your original plan.
Singapore offers a large mix of cultures so I don't think you will notice it too much or have any issues.

Worst case, you can just go again to Singapore, nice & close!

 

[kyle]

I’m a little bit torn because my research on the Maldives tells me that at CNY the occupancy rates go through the roof. Like 95%+. So would like to avoid a crazy busy time at the Maldives and would like to avoid Public Holidays in SIN. Might just move the whole thing to Feb.

Depends on where you stay. When we were at Rangali, in the first week before borders started closing, even at close to full occupancy, you could still have the whole stretch of the beach to yourself. There's enough space on the island to not hear anyone.

 

[motef]

Depends on where you stay. When we were at Rangali, in the first week before borders started closing, even at close to full occupancy, you could still have the whole stretch of the beach to yourself. There's enough space on the island to not hear anyone.

I think i followed your comments on FT

 

[kyle]

I think i followed your comments on FT

Aarrghhh Big Brother! Lol. I actually can't remember what I wrote on FT! It was such an excellent experience in both places that my partner and I are still talking about it more than 18 months later.

 

[AIRwin]

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