Celebrating Chinese New Year in Bali - 2023

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Those who are celebrating the new day of the Year of the Rabbit 2023 are busy with celebration and the intimacy of the family reunion moments. These times are also filled by some customs and rituals that have been a tradition in families over years.

At several locations in Bali, the dominance of red adds colour to the island, showing the richness of culture and communities of Bali, as well as many entertainments happening to spread the joy and hope for a fresh beginning, luck and prosperity for the year ahead.

Even if you are not celebrating the Spring Festival, as the Chinese call it, you can spend the holiday in Bali immersing in the spirit of the festivity – here are places to visit and activities to do.

VISITING CHINESE TEMPLES

Being the heart of the celebration, Chinese Temples, popularly called Klenteng, is busy during these days with people coming and going for praying rituals. It is a must-visit place to experience Lunar New Year as the Chinese people do. Hundreds of lampions are hanged, providing a spiritual atmosphere during the evening; the smell of incense is strong; the smoke from the incense fills the room.

You can see all of above at Vihara Satya Dharma, located near the Benoa harbour, Denpasar. The huge, red Klenteng can be found easily at the side of the road while you are driving to/from Bali Mandara Gate toll in Benoa point. This place is usually full of people, both devotees, and visitors. For visitors, it is advised to wear proper clothes, red clothes will be better, to respect the praying devotees. Not only witnessing people’s activities, but you will also enjoy the Lion and Dragon dance on performance.

chinese new year — Photo credit @satyachronicle

If you are happening to be in the Northern part of Bali, you should not miss a visit to the old Chinese Temple Ling Gwan Kiong in Singaraja. One of the evidence of Balinese and Chinese cultural relationship, the city will, in general, reveal the bold influence – on its building style and food. Eating Siobak at one warung in Singaraja Main Street after the temple visit is a nice combination.

ENJOY PROSPERITY DINNER

“Have you got anything to eat, yet?” That might the popular question asked by your Chinese friends or colleagues as the conversation opener. Because of the importance of meal, this occasion without feast is nothing. While this does not mean to be an expensive one, a good meal with families brings on the hope of wealth and prosperity. More of it, Chinese people associate the food as symbolizations of good things. Fish, for example, is a must on the table as it symbolizes wealth or profit. In Chinese, the word fish (yu) has a similar pronunciation with profit, surplus (yu). Or, noodle, which symbolizes longevity – you must eat it as a whole. No matter how long the noodle, you are not allowed to bite or cut it shorter.

If you need some recommendations for where to enjoy Chinese prosperity dinner, you can have a quick peek at our list of Chinese Restaurants in Bali. Click this! However, you may need to have a confirmation first just to find out whether or not these restaurants are not fully booked.

If you are in Sanur, Naga Eight is presenting two days of celebrating the Chinese New Year. The Three set menu will feature the finest of Cantonese Barbecued and Wok with Harmony, Prosperity and Fortune inclusive of YuSheng Prosperity Toss. Diners could experience the unique YuSheng Toss, with each step of tossing before consumption. It contains Salmon, Pomelo, Pepper, Cinnamon Powder, complete with the 12 steps ingredients of Yusheng Toss.

Packages available for dinner on January 21 and lunch and dinner on January 22, with special lion dance performances on January 21 at 12:30 pm and January 22 at 7:00 pm. Prices are: Harmony set menus IDR 388,000++/person, Prosperity set menus IDR 488,000++/person and Fortune set menus IDR 588,000++/person.

In Canggu, Hotel Tugu Bali invites you to celebrate this Chinese New Year in Bali with a Lunar New Year Dinner at the Red Temple 1706 – a 317 old-ancient Indonesian Peranakan inside Hotel Tugu Bali. Spend reunion dinner with your family enjoying sumptuous 8-course dinner that will serve popular Chinese fares from flying fish a la Canton, Steamed drunken shrimps, beetroot, red radish, pomelo, crispy shallots in plum and sesame dressing, braised pork belly in soy sauce, cinnamon and Shaoxing wine, and many more. The special dinner is available at 21 and 22 January with a special live Lion Dance performance in the majestic Bale Agung on January 22nd.